{"id":3412,"date":"2018-09-17T08:30:31","date_gmt":"2018-09-17T15:30:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/?p=3412"},"modified":"2025-02-25T14:28:00","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T21:28:00","slug":"prepare-rv-for-outdoor-winter-storage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/prepare-rv-for-outdoor-winter-storage\/","title":{"rendered":"RV Winter Storage Checklist: Tips and Tricks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you been driving around all summer long with your <\/span>RV<\/span>? Chances are, there is quite a bit of dust and grime accumulated all around your travel trailer. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As winter comes around and you’re looking to store it away for the season, you’ll want to prepare your recreational vehicle for the downtime ahead. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Best Practices for Winterizing Your RV <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Are you preparing for the RV off-season? If so, follow these ten steps to properly winterize your RV. That way, it’s primed and ready for months of outdoor winter storage.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wash Your RV’s Exterior <\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After a long summer of outdoor adventuring, any seasoned RVer has seen their motorhome in a condition that borders between <\/span>dirty<\/b> and <\/span>absolutely filthy.<\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you do anything else, you’ll need to give your big rig a thorough scrub. Luckily, preparing your RV’s <\/span>exterior<\/span><\/a> for outdoor winter storage can be as simple as using mild soap and clean water. Your RV’s interior, however, will require much more preparation <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deep Clean the Interior <\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Prepping your RV interior for storage may be more physically demanding, but working through this<\/span> RV interior cleaning checklist<\/span><\/a> will offer some reassurance that you’ve covered all your bases. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While giving the interior of your RV the royal cleaning treatment is a good start, cleaning alone won’t be enough. You’ll need to protect the interior of your RV from sun exposure, mildew, and unpleasant odors. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To minimize sun exposure, close all windows, curtains, and blinds. You may also want to invest in RV sunshades or even an <\/span>RV shade kit. <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for mildew prevention, make sure everything is squeaky clean and that all perishables have been removed from your fridge and other storage spaces. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s impossible to be completely odor-free come springtime, but draining water tanks and<\/span> cleaning the pipes<\/span><\/a> will help.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drain the Water System<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Draining out the water system in your RV is a crucial step in preparing your RV for the winter cold ahead. If you don’t drain out the water system of your RV, you run the risk of both bacteria build-up in the freshwater system, as well as the freezing and combustion of your RV’s water pipes. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although it depends on the specific model RV you have, some of the main steps required to drain out the water system of an RV include: <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n