Wipe Out Winter Worries

It's that time of year again. Seems like the summer traveling months pass so quickly. For some of you it's back to work or maybe it's just time to hang up the keys because you don't relish driving the RV in winter weather. Whichever your situation, you're faced with storing your vehicle for the colder months ahead. There are many safety procedures you can follow so the RV will be in tip-top shape when you put it back on the road next spring.

1. RV non-toxic antifreeze (1-2 gallons)
2. Compressed air adapter
3. Oil and filter
4. Gasoline or diesel
5. Fuel Conditioner
6. Lubricants
7. Wheel covers(optional)
8. Household cleaners

The first step toward storing your RV is to drain and flush out all the water--this means the fresh water, gray water, black water and hot water tanks. Once you've drained it all out, blow it out. To do this, open all faucets and drains including the shower and toilets and screw the compressed air adapter onto the fresh water inlet and turn it on low--this will blow any remaining water out. If you don't do this and the RV is parked in a cold location, that remaining water can freeze and cause problems with your drains and pipes. Even if you're not in an area that gets freezing temperatures, removing the water is a good idea to keep it from becoming stale in the tanks and pipes. Some experienced drivers recommend taking the RV out for a bumpy spin so that any stubborn moisture still remaining will be shaken out. Once all the water is out, close up all the drains and faucets and remove the plug from the hot water tank and leave it off until spring.

If the RV will be exposed to freezing temperatures, you'll need to protect the pipes during the winter. Pour non-toxic RV antifreeze into all drains just until the traps are filled. You should need only one to two gallons. In addition, pour a bit of antifreeze into the toilet bowl (don't flush it into the holding tank!).

If you're parking the RV for a period of time, many experts suggest you remove the batteries because, even with everything turned off, some systems will still draw a slight charge from the batteries, which can deplete them in a few weeks. When you store your battery, keep it in a cool (less than 50 degrees) area, especially if they are flooded lead-acid batteries. Don't put them flat on the floor--keep them up on blocks or somewhere where they can have airflow underneath. Some experts recommend using a trickle charger to keep the batteries from losing their charge while in storage.

To protect the engine while the RV is stored, take the following steps and don't start up the RV until you're ready to use it again regularly:

• Change the oil and filter
• Tune up the engine
• Fill the fuel tank, including use of a fuel conditioner like Stabil
• Check the freezing point of the antifreeze in the engine and generator. If it's outdated, now would be a good time to flush and refill.

Your RV is always at risk for insects, mice or other creatures looking for a sheltered place to nest. But when you park it for a long period of time, the risk of becoming a critters new home increases. Mice can be a serious issue for RV owners because they like to crawl into any openings on the bottom of the RV and once inside can chew on electrical wiring and make messes of upholstery or other chewable substances. Use steel or bronze wool to block any openings on the underside of the RV. If the wool won't stay in place, use duct or packing tape to hold it. Some owners also find that the use of mothballs can discourage mice because they don't like the smell. Just be sure to remove whatever you use before driving the RV.

Shore power lines are an attractive way for ants to gain access to the RV. If you're planning to leave the power running, spray an insecticide once a month to discourage ants from using that route.

Early spring can attract birds to make their nests in your refrigerator vent, tarp or RV cover. If you're storing the RV for a long period of time, you'll want to shake out the cover periodically to dislodge anything that may have made its new home there.

Cleaning the RV inside and out provides both preventative maintenance and saves you hassle come springtime. Give the outside of the RV a good scrub to get the dirt, sap and bird droppings off; doing so will keep your paint from pitting and scarring.

When cleaning the interior, be sure to take everything out of the refrigerator and sanitize the interior. Leave the refrigerator door open, the airflow will help to combat that stale smell that results when the fridge has been closed up for too long. Some use boxes of baking soda or crumpled up newspaper to help with this as well.

Clean out all food items from the cabinets--cans may freeze in cold temperatures and boxed foods can attract mice and bugs. Clean and sanitize the bathroom. Remove the linens and curtains for washing and store them in an airtight container in a temperature-controlled area. It's a good idea to open up the RV for an hour or so every so often while it's in storage. This will air it out and keep it from smelling musty. If you've stored the RV someplace out of the elements, consider cracking a hatch or window just a bit to keep a constant airflow. A dehumidifier will also keep moisture and mildew at bay if you plan to keep the RV plugged into shore power.

Where you park your RV for the winter heavily depends on what climate you're in, what your resources are and how often you'd like to use or work on the RV during the winter. Many places offer climate-controlled warehouses where you can park the RV. Many even have their own security guards or systems. This is ideal for some folks because you don't have to worry about damage the elements might cause if you live in a cold-winter area. But the cost for places like this, depending on where you live, can be hefty. If you have room in your backyard or driveway, this is convenient for those periodic checks you should do to keep it in top form for the spring. However, it will be exposed to the cold weather and can attract criminal attention.

Tire covers are a good idea if you're parking the RV out of doors. Exposure to the sun, even in the winter, can do more damage to tires than consistent use. Some experts recommend removing the tires during the winter and storing them in a climate-controlled area while the RV sits on blocks. This, of course, depends on how much, if at all, you'd like to drive the RV during the time you'll be storing it.

Good winter maintenance can protect your RV inside and out so it will run better and longer. This will keep you safer on the road for years to come.