Ways to Protect Your RV Year Around

As RV season draws to a close, it’s time to think about protection from the elements. Whether the icy cold and snow of winter have ended your adventures until spring, or the scorching heat of summer has paused your fun until fall, do your RV a favor and give it the maintenance and protection it deserves.Nine things that you need to do to keep your RV protected all year round.Take a look at this list of Travel Tips how to Protect Your RV.

Winter Storage

Here are nine points to address when storing your RV:

1. Drain your water system. Any water left inside the plumbing can freeze and crack pipes. If you’re going to do the job right, pump RV antifreeze into the system, which will push out all the water and add a level of safety for your plumbing.
2. Carefully inspect every inch of the roof, sides, windows, doors, seams, and joints. Don’t forget the access panels and all moving or hinged parts. If you find cracks or voids in any of the seals, apply fresh caulking.
3. Locate your RV in a safe place. Choose a location that is well lit, and definitely not under trees. Tree debris can stain the exterior over the course of the winter, and a windstorm might bring part of the tree down, damaging your investment.
4. Cover up. And avoid using plastic tarp material, as this will trap moisture against the surface of your RV. Tarps also tend to break loose in strong winds, and can actually cause damage while being whipped around. Proper RV covers are worth every penny, and provide excellent protection against UV radiation, tree sap, and birds. A cover made specifically for your RV will have a zippered access panel to allow entry while the cover remains in place.
5. If your RV cover doesn’t include protection for the tires, individual tire covers are available. These provide excellent UV protection in the summer as well. Inflate the tires to the maximum recommended pressure, and check them again before venturing out on the road.
6. Disconnect the batteries. Store them in a cool, but not freezing location. It’s a good idea to use a trickle charger to keep them charged up, since drained batteries are more vulnerable to freezing.
7. Add fuel stabilizer. This will prevent resin deposits from forming, which can cause engine wear and damage. If your fuel is going to be sitting for a few months, this is especially important. A full tank of stabilized fuel is better than an empty tank, as empty tanks can develop rust.
8. Don’t invite animals into your RV. Small rodents can be very good at making their way through tight spaces, so remove all traces of food and clean up the interior. If animals get inside, they can chew on things, including electrical wiring.
9. Check in once in a while. Any unexpected surprises are best discovered sooner, rather than after several months. Address these unexpected problems right away.

Portable RV Storage Buildings

For the best protection you can get, consider a portable ShelterLogic RV storage building. They offer better protection than any cover, and are easy to set up. Starting at around $1000, they can be made in any size, and can be customized to your needs. You can choose from different roof styles, select whatever snow rating you need, and specify window and door choices. A quality RV storage building is anchored solidly to the ground, and can be made to withstand 140mph winds. Watch hailstones bounce harmlessly off the roof, while your RV remains safe.