The last thing you want is to retrieve your RV from storage before heading out on your next great adventure only to find that this vehicle has been damaged during its time in storage. Unfortunately, this is a situation that you can easily find yourself in if you do not take steps to prevent damage prior to storing your RV. In order to avoid this situation, you will need to take the time to review and complete each of the steps outlined below.
Clean The Interior And Exterior Of Your RV
Any dirt and debris that is left either on the inside or the outside of your RV can ultimately result in serious problems during the storage process. When dealing with the exterior of your RV, washing away any dirt, bird droppings, oils, and other materials will help to ensure that these materials do not eat away at your paint's finish. Cleaning the interior of your RV is also important since pests will be drawn to your vehicle if there are even a few crumbs present while the RV is being stored.
Empty Pipes And Add Antifreeze
The pipes in your RV are prone to freezing during the cold winter months just as the pipes in your house can freeze if you do not take steps to prevent this issue. If the pipes in your RV are allowed to freeze over, you could find yourself dealing with some very serious water damage when you finally retrieve your RV from storage. The most effective way to avoid this type of damage is to drain all water from the pipes and storage tanks before parking your RV for an extended period of time. In order to further protect your plumbing system from damage, you will also want to add some antifreeze to the pipes once they have been drained.
Cover Your Wheels If Storing Outside
If you have chosen an outdoor storage unit as the place where you will keep your RV when it is not in use, it is extremely important that you cover your tires before storing your RV for any extended length of time. The reason this is so important is that outdoor storage spaces will expose your tires to large amounts of direct sunlight. Over time, the UV rays of the sun will begin to break down the rubber of your tires. This can result in your tires cracking the next time you decide to take your recreational vehicle out for a spin. Since this type of damage is often difficult to detect until after your tire has already blown, failing to take precautionary steps can ultimately result in a rather dangerous situation out on the open road.
Contact an RV storage facility to learn more.