Well, camping enthusiasts, we did it; we made it through another winter! The snow is starting to feel like a distant memory, and the days are getting longer and longer. You know what that means?
It’s time to get the RV out of storage!
Unless you’re a winter RVer (kudos to you if you are!), you’ve probably been dreaming of warmer weather and returning to nature. Where you can feel the rumble of the open road beneath your feet, and you’re amped to get back to the great outdoors.
Not so fast, though! Before you start planning your first spring camping trip, there are a few things you need to do to get your rig ready for the road post RV storage.
CHARGE UP THE BATTERIES
Depending on whether your RV had indoor storage or outdoor RV storage will determine a lot about the battery. If your RV was stored outdoors how cold it was over the winter and how long the RV has sat idle, will determine if your battery will need a little boost. Whether you removed the battery or left it under the hood, check the charge and determine if you can give it a boost or outright replace it.
While checking the vehicle batteries, check any other batteries in your RV, such as the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors or flashlights.
READY THE WATER SYSTEM
Hopefully, you flushed the water system and filled it with antifreeze before you put the rig away for the winter. Now’s the time to drain the antifreeze, so you’re not drinking it in your water. Take the water heater off bypass mode and hook the RV to a freshwater source. Pump clean water through the system, opening all the faucets and letting the water run until it’s clear.
Once complete, it’s time to sanitize the system. Add one cup of bleach for every 60 gallons of water, and continue pumping water through the system. Once you can detect the scent of bleach, turn off the valves and let it sit for at least 12 hours. Finally, run fresh water through the system again until the bleach is gone.
CHECK THE TIRES
Fluctuating cold temperatures can wreak havoc on your tires. The frigid air can cause the tire to shift and deflate, and you won’t get very far on flat tires. Determine the proper air pressure for your tires by checking the user manual and ensuring they’re filled.
Take this time to inspect your tires. Take a good look at the treads of your tires. If they’re starting to wear down a lot, now would be a good time to look into replacing them.
FILL THE PROPANE
Take the propane tank to get filled, hook it up, and test the systems that use it. Look for any cracks in the valves and leaks in the hoses. You can check by spraying the area with soapy water and checking for any bubbles.
Test all the propane appliances by letting them run through a few cycles, ensuring they all work. You don’t want anything to stop working during your trip.
Additionally, it is recommend to check and top up all areas of your RV that are low or that you drained before the winter season. As a reminder;
- Transmission
- Power steering
- Engine oil
- Brake fluid
- Coolant
- Windshield washer fluid
LOOK FOR DAMAGE
When taking your trailer from storage it is essential to check around the doors and windows and see if the weather stripping is still holding up. If it’s looking a little worn down, or any caulking is starting to lift, replace it or repair it. Often the colder temperatures can take a beating on areas we would least expect.
Despite locking up your RV and putting a cover or tarp over it, there’s a chance some critters saw it and thought it’d be a great place to hide from the cold. Look for evidence of rodents inside the RV and block any holes they may have made. It may be necessary to set up a few traps or to spray for insects that found a new home over the winter months.
READY TO HIT THE ROAD?
We always hope that bringing your RV out of storage is seamless; we also want you out on the open road and enjoying the next greatest adventure. If there is anything you are concerned about, have questions or want a second opinion, be sure to swing by our shop. We at Vernon Recreation Products can help you confidently get back on the road. Call us at 1-833-293-3402 or visit us on-site, and we’ll do everything we can to prepare you for the spring camping season! Call today!
