We’ve provided a handy guide with 12 of our top RV storage tips. Our list includes everything you need to know about RV storage, such as where to store it and how to prep it. Follow along to ensure your RV is clean and ready for storage.
Storage Basics Overview
When it comes to storing an RV, you’re going to need a good temporary home for it while you’re not taking
it on adventures. Our advice is to turn to reputable RV storage facilities. This is the best way to store an RV as our storage location creates the ideal environment for RV storage. Many
storage facilities feature uncovered parking spaces as well as covered RV storage, such as parking spaces with overhead roofs. You can also find RV storage facilities that provide indoor,
climate-controlled units that help keep your vehicle away from direct sunlight, rain, snow, and extreme outside temperatures.
Do a Deep Clean
Perhaps one of the most important RV storage tips we can offer is to clean your RV before storing it. Give it a good wash down with soap and water, removing all the dirt and grime. Don’t forget the tires!
Remove any grease and oils and do a wax job, which can help prevent further build-up while in storage. Once the exterior of your vehicle is looking good, see if you need to seal or caulk any cracks or peels; you
won’t want any critters to enter your RV through these holes!
Don’t put your cleaning supplies away just yet. Take a duster and vacuum to the interior of your RV. Wipe down surfaces, clean the countertops,
vacuum the furniture, and sweep up any dirt. You want to start with a clean slate, as your RV is inevitably bound to collect more dust while in storage.
Pest-Proof
Keeping pests out should be one of your main concerns when prepping for RV storage. Begin by ensuring there are no gaps or holes where critters can crawl into your RV. You can place special screens or plugs into
vents, hoses, or pipes and seal any cracks with steel wool or spray foam. To further deter insects, try placing some mothballs in bowls around the interior of your RV.
Attend to Your Battery
If you are storing your travel trailer in the winter, you may want to consider removing the battery to
prevent freezing. For those who don’t plan to remove it, make sure it’s fully charged before placing your vehicle in storage. While you’re at it, use the battery disconnect switch to turn
off all power sources.
Remove Leftover Food
Chances are, your RV is stocked with all your favorite grub. However, you don’t want any leftovers lingering around your RV while it’s in storage. Remove all food (or anything that will entice pests into your vehicle)
from the cabinets, fridge, and freezer. Not only will this help ward off critters, but it means you won’t have to deal with leftover food spoiling or causing unpleasant odors. Once you’ve removed everything from the
fridge and freezer, turn those appliances off and prop open the doors to prevent any mold from growing inside while in storage.
Open the Vents
Keep your rooftop vents open to circulate air and stave off mold and mildew. This allows air to flow into the motorhome without letting in water. By keeping the air moving, you won’t face any musty smells when it comes time to use your RV again.
Retract All Slides
If you’re wondering whether you should store your RV with slides in or out, we recommend retracting all slides. While it’s OK to keep them out if you’re not using your RV for a few days or weeks at a time, for those looking for long-term RV storage tips, close them up. When they’re retracted, they are protected from outside elements. Do a quick clean-up of the mechanical parts and seals before closing them.
Drain The Fluids
It’s a good idea to flush out the water tanks, plumbing system, and water heater when storing your motorhome. If you’re winterizing your vehicle, our number one winter RV storage tip is to add a little bit of antifreeze to piping, valves, and waste tanks to prevent leftover water from freezing.
Cover Up Outside
Are you wondering how to store an RV trailer outside? Get an exterior cover! This is an essential RV summer storage tip, as sunlight and high temperatures can wreak havoc on your vehicle. Even if you are placing it in a storage spot with a roof overhead, it’s always good to place a cover over it to keep out direct sunlight, water, dirt, and more. While it might be a pain to put it on initially, you will thank yourself later when you don’t see any damage from Mother Nature when you’re ready to use your travel trailer again.
Cover Up Inside
Don’t overlook the interior of your RV. Place covers on your furniture to avoid dust and grime. This may also help fend off pests that want to burrow, chew, or otherwise destroy your sofas, chairs, and mattresses. And the best part? As soon as you’re ready to use your motorhome again, you won’t have to worry about dusting or vacuuming your furniture!
Care for Your Tires
A heavy RV puts a lot of strain on the tires. When it comes to our long-term RV storage tips for tires, we recommend removing any excess weight and placing your vehicle on blocks to remove some of the pressure. If possible, try to take your RV for a spin every few months.
Consider Security Measures
Even though an RV might be difficult to run off with, you will want to do what you can to keep it in good hands. Be sure to lock up your RV before storing it, and don’t leave any valuables inside. If you are parking your vehicle in an RV storage facility, check out insurance options for extra reassurance.
At Wagon Wheel RV Storage, you have 24 hour access to your storage unit. This means that you can visit your unit whenever it fits into your schedule.
We provide the following features and more at Wagon Wheel RV Storage:
Wagon Wheel RV Ranch in Haslet, Texas on John Day Road offers its services and amenities of a State-of-the-Art Facility, Recreational Vehicle (RV) Storage, Boat Storage, Covered RV Storage protection, Covered Boat Storage protection, 24 Hour Monitoring, High Fence Security and more to cities of Haslet, Rhome, Elizabeth, Roanoke, Trophy Club, Fort Worth, South Lake, Coppell, Flower Mound, Newark, Saginaw, Keller, North Richland Hills, Texas and more.