RV Storage: How to Prepare for Long-Term Storage
Your RV is a significant investment for you, so making an effort to protect it makes sense. Sometimes, however, there can be confusion about the long-term storage of RVs. Proper preparation before storage and where you store it are two factors that have a big impact on the lifetime of your RV and your satisfaction with it. This is a great time of the year to start thinking about preparing for RV storage.
1) Batteries
Many RV’s have batteries and those need attention. If you have the ability to run electricity to the stored RV (shore power), it is much simpler. Even then, make sure you have a high-quality 4 stage charger that will keep your batteries from being overcharged. A battery tender could also be a great tool to put in place.
If you won’t be running shore power, fully charge the batteries and plan to check them every 3 to 6 months. If your RV is going to be stored with house batteries in place, either use the kill switch or disconnect it. Always remember to disconnect the negative lead first.
2) Mold and mildew
Southwest Florida is very humid and the battle against mold and mildew is a constant. One of the most effective and easiest ways to combat this is to store your RV in a climate-controlled environment. Our Elite Motor Storage at The Hideout is one way to do it. We offer several different car condo unit sizes to house any recreational vehicle—everything from SUVs to trailers to Class A motorhomes.
If you choose to use something like our Outdoor Storage, start by inspecting the roof. If you see any signs of wear in the caulking or seams, those should be repaired before storage. Also, check around sinks and toilets to make sure there are no leaks and drain your holding tanks. Check the seals around windows and doors, as well as inspect any ventilation ducts. Products like DampRid may also be a good addition to your RV storage plan.
3) Protect the outside
Whether you are storing outside or in a climate-controlled environment, a good washing is a best practice. This helps ensure that bird droppings, chemicals, bugs or other environmental hazards don’t have months to damage your paint.
If you are storing outside, a breathable RV cover could also be a wise investment. The UV rays from the sun can damage your paint and dry out rubber and vinyl seals. They can even damage your tires. The cover cuts those harmful UV rays while allowing moisture to escape, keeping your sun solution from creating a mold problem.
4) Pests
Nobody wants to return to their RV and find that insects and rodents have made it their home. Cleaning the RV inside is the first step. Removing food and crumbs that can attract rodents and any standing water that may attract insects will help. Next, find entry points and block them. This could be where your shore power cord is coming in, exterior vents or even sink/shower drains. Don’t overlook the underbelly of the RV either. Sealants, expanding foam or even steel wool can be used to seal any points your find. Using insect killers is fine, just remember they’ll need to be cleaned up before your family and pets use the RV next time. Some RV owners say cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil are an effective repellent that doesn’t have potentially harmful side effects.
Whether your RV storage plans are indoors, like our Elite Motor Storage, or outdoors, The Hideout is here to help you protect your investment. Contact our storage experts to find out what we can do to meet your needs.