The days are getting longer. The snow is melting and the temperature is rising. Your RV has been holed up all winter and you are just itching to get on the road, because spring is just around the corner.
Not so fast! You might be ready to roll, but your RV definitely isn’t. A few months ago you got your rig winterized, now it’s time to de-winterize.
How to dewinterize your RV for the season ahead
Tires
When tires aren’t being used and sitting idle, they start to lose air pressure. Sometimes up to several psi worth!
So definitely check the pressure and fill them accordingly. You’ll also want to check your treads and make sure the tires are still road-worthy. If they’re starting to look a little bald, consider investing in new tires. Driving the highway on tires with low pressure and/or worn down treads isn’t safe for you and everyone else on the road with you.
Batteries
Like your tires, batteries that are left to idle will start to lose their juice. Get your battery charged before you hit the road, but also inspect it for any acid wear on the posts
Water system
Back in the fall when you were preparing your RV for winter hibernation, you would have flushed out your water system to prevent the pipes from freezing. Chances are you ran RV-rated antifreeze to help with that.
Well, now it’s time to flush out the water system again, this time to get rid of any traces of antifreeze. That’s the last thing you want in your drinking water, so make sure you flush the system well.
Propane
One of the worst things when camping is to run out of propane, so make sure your tanks are full before you head out. Once you’ve got your full tank, here’s what to do to get everything ready for action:
- Connect the propane tank to the hose and check your valve
- Spray the connector with a bit of soapy water – if you see bubbles, there’s a leak
- Tighten your connections and replace any that aren’t sealing properly
- At the same time, make sure your propane-run appliances are working, including the hot water heater.
Engine
Your RV engine has been idle all winter, so you’ll want to start it up to make sure the engine turns over. However, before you do that, check under the hood and make sure your fluid levels are good.
The fluids to check are:
- Transmission
- Power steering
- Engine oil
- Brake fluid
- Coolant
- Windshield washer fluid
Top up anything that looks low and if everything looks good, go ahead and start it up. Keep an eye on all gauges and check the wipers, headlights, and tail lights at the same time.
Exterior
Take a walk around the outside of your rig and inspect it for any damage. You’ll definitely want to do this if your RV was stored outside all winter. Check around the windows and door for any cracks in the seals, as well as all seams. You’ll also want to inspect the roof for any leaks.
Getting Ready for the 2022 RV Season
We’re all looking forward to getting in our RVs and starting new adventures this spring, but it’s important to take good care of your RV, especially now that winter is over. This quick checklist will help you dewinterize your RV and ensure that everything is in good working order before you get on the open road.
So what are you waiting for? Make sure your RV is ready for the next long weekend and start checking off that to-do list today!
Want to talk to an expert about dewinterizing? Call us at 1-833-293-3402
