How to Prepare Your RV for Self-Storage

Preparing your RV for self-storage is a crucial task that can prevent significant damage and save you money, with improper storage potentially leading to over $5,000 in damages. This ultimate guide compiles essential steps and tips to ensure your RV is well-protected during storage.

Choosing Your Storage Location

The type of storage you select influences the preparation needed:

  • At Home: Convenient and potentially cost-effective, allowing for easy maintenance. However, it can present challenges with limited space, Homeowners Association (HOA) restrictions, weather exposure, and security concerns. Many HOAs and cities restrict parking RVs in driveways or yards.
  • Self-Storage Facility: Offers convenience by keeping your RV out of sight and mind. Options include:
    • Outdoor Storage: Generally the most affordable and offers the widest range of sizes, often with security features like gates and locks. However, it provides no protection from the elements, so a cover is essential. Avoid parking under trees or in areas where grass and weeds grow.
    • Covered RV Storage: A popular choice, providing some weather protection and typically costing less than indoor options. Some covered spots may even have solar capabilities.
    • Indoor RV Storage (Enclosed Units): Offers the best security and, sometimes, climate control, making it ideal for long-term or winter storage. These units, however, are generally more expensive and might not be large enough for all RVs. Desirable facilities may offer large 13x50 or 20x8 sheds and storage containers.

Regardless of the location, facilities with gated access, security cameras (24/7 surveillance in high definition), and well-lit aisles are highly recommended. Some facilities offer electrical hookups (110-receptacle, 30-amp, or 50-amp) for maintaining batteries and exercising components.

Exterior Preparation

  1. Wash and Clean the RV:
    • Thorough Wash: Start by washing the entire exterior thoroughly, including the roof and undercarriage. For fiberglass exteriors, use an RV-specific wash and wax.
    • Undercarriage: Wash the undercarriage to remove dirt, grime, salt, and chemicals that can cause corrosion. A professional RV wash is recommended for this.
    • Awning: Clean and completely dry all awning fabric before rolling it up to prevent mold and mildew.
    • Full Body Paint: If your RV has full body paint, ask for no brightener and no brushes at commercial washes to prevent acidic etching and vertical scratching.
    • Slides: Ensure slides are in before washing.
  2. Inspect and Seal:
    • Sealant Inspection: Inspect all roof seams, body seams, and window sealants for cracks or openings that could allow water penetration. Repair any damage immediately.
    • Pest Entry Points: Look for any openings, especially in the underbelly and storage compartments, that pests could use to enter. Mice can enter through holes as small as a dime. Seal these openings with silicone or expandable spray foam.
    • Vent Screens: Install screens over furnace and refrigerator vents to prevent pests from entering.
    • Compartment Doors: Ensure all exterior compartment doors are shut tightly.
  3. Tire Care:
    • Inflation: Inflate tires to the manufacturer's recommended maximum cold PSI as indicated on the sidewall. Tires can lose 2-3 PSI per month in storage, so checking periodically is important.
    • Blocking: If storing on the ground or pavement, place blocking material wider than the tire's footprint beneath each tire to prevent damage and flat spots.
    • Covers: Cover the tires to protect them from sun damage, harmful UV rays, and dry rot, especially if stored outdoors.
    • Jacks: Deploy the RV's jacks to release the load from the tires, which helps prevent premature aging.
  4. RV Cover:
    • A quality, breathable RV cover is a significant investment for RVs stored outside, protecting against sun, wind, rain, and winter weather while allowing air circulation to prevent mold and mildew.
    • Choose a cover specifically sized for your RV. Ideally, it should cover from bumper to bumper, including the A-frame, tongue jack, and propane/battery areas.
    • Caution: If transporting the RV while covered, ensure signal and brake lights are exposed for safety. It's often better to cover the RV at the storage facility. Installing a cover typically requires two people.
  5. Propane Tanks:
    • Turn off propane supply valves at the tanks.
    • For winter storage, consider removing propane tanks and storing them in a garage. Secure covers with cable ties during transport and storage.

Interior Preparation

  1. Cleaning and Organization:
    • Thorough Clean: Scrub the interior and vacuum the entire vehicle. Use cleaners designed for RV surfaces.
    • Empty Cabinets: Empty all cabinets to ensure no food or attractants are left behind.
    • Mold/Mildew: Use a mold and mildew destroyer for spot stains, particularly in vented areas, being careful with bleach-based products.
  2. Food and Perishables:
    • Remove All Food: Remove any and all food, perishables, and items that can freeze to prevent pest infestations and damage.
  3. Refrigerator and Freezer Care:
    • Defrost and Clean: Defrost and thoroughly clean both the refrigerator and freezer.
    • Prop Doors Open: Leave the doors ajar or propped open to allow ventilation and prevent musty odors and mold.
    • Baking Soda: Place an open box of baking soda inside to absorb any lingering odors.
  4. Moisture and Airflow:
    • Windows and Vents: Close all windows, roof vents, and blinds to protect the interior from sun exposure and keep light out.
    • Ventilation: If storing in a warm climate, slightly crack windows or open roof vents (with covers) to allow for some airflow and prevent moisture accumulation. Roof vent covers like Maxx Air allow ventilation while keeping rain out.
    • Dehumidifiers: Place a moisture absorber or dehumidifier (e.g., Dry Z Air) inside the RV to combat interior moisture.

Systems and Component Preparation

  1. Battery Care:
    • Charge: Ensure all batteries (house and chassis) are fully charged before storage.
    • Disconnect: Disconnect auxiliary batteries to prevent drainage from appliances over time. Use the battery disconnect switch, if available. If the RV is plugged into shore power during storage, ensure the disconnect is on to allow continuous charging.
    • Cold Climates: In cold climates, it is recommended to remove batteries and store them in a dry place.
    • Monitoring: Check battery voltage monthly with a digital multimeter; recharge immediately if at or below 12.5 volts for a 12-volt battery (sulfation starts below 12.4V).
    • Charger/Maintainer: Consider using a battery charger maintainer and conditioner to prevent sulfation and overcharging.
    • Solar Panels: If your RV has solar panels and is stored outside, they can help maintain battery charge.
  2. Fuel System:
    • Fill Tank: Fill the fuel tank completely to reduce the probability of condensation building up inside.
    • Fuel Stabilizer: Add a fuel stabilizer to the tank and run the engine and generator long enough to circulate it through the entire fuel system. This prevents fuel from varnishing and damaging the engine.
  3. Engine and Generator Maintenance:
    • Oil Change: Change the oil and oil filter for both the engine and generator before storage, as acids in used oil can corrode engine bearings.
    • Fluid Levels: Ensure all engine fluid levels are topped off.
    • Winterization: If storing in a cold climate, winterize the engine (e.g., ensure antifreeze is properly protected for diesel engines).
    • Generator Run Time: Run the generator for at least two hours every 30 days under a load (e.g., air conditioning, TV, microwave). Short runs of 15 minutes are not sufficient.
    • Chassis Disconnect: If your motorized RV has a chassis disconnect switch, turn it off after ensuring engine batteries are charged or removed.
  4. Water System (Winterization and Tank Management):
    • Winterization: Winterize the entire water system with RV marine antifreeze to prevent freezing and costly damage. This is especially important in cold climates.
    • Draining Tanks: Drain all holding tanks (freshwater, black, and gray) thoroughly.
    • Holding Tank Protocols:
      • Short-Term Storage (between trips): Empty all holding tanks unless using a deep cleaning solution in the black tank, ensuring no freezing will occur. Keep all tank valves closed.
      • Winter Storage:
        • Black Tank: Deep clean and rinse several times. Leave the valve in the closed position to contain antifreeze that will enter during winterization.
        • Gray Tank: Deep clean, then drain. Leave the valve in the closed position as antifreeze will make its way into this tank.
        • Freshwater Tank: Completely empty. Leave the low-point drain valve in the open position to allow air circulation, as no antifreeze enters this tank.
      • Long-Term Storage (multiple months or years):
        • Black Tank: Deep clean, rinse several times, and leave completely empty with the valve in the open position to allow air to flow freely.
        • Gray Tank: Deep clean, then leave completely empty with the valve in the open position for air circulation.
        • Freshwater Tank: Completely empty. Leave the low-point drain valve in the open position.
    • Sanitization: Remember to sanitize the freshwater tank when you take the RV out of storage.
    • Antifreeze Application: You can use an oil-less air compressor (50 psi or less) with a Camco blowout plug or hose to clear water from pipes before adding antifreeze. Use RV-specific antifreeze, as it's safer for PEX piping. Hand pump kits or permanent pump converter kits can be used for antifreeze insertion.

Security and Ongoing Checks

  1. Theft Prevention:
    • Lock it Up: Padlock the hitch ball lock and the chains to prevent unauthorized hookup and theft.
    • RV Locks: Ensure all doors and compartments on the RV itself are locked.
  2. Regular Monitoring:
    • Periodic Checks: Check on your RV every couple of weeks or monthly.
    • Inspect for Issues: Look for any signs of rodent or insect infestations, moisture accumulation, or unexpected battery drainage.
    • Exercise Components: Exercise components like the air conditioner and furnace monthly by running them, especially if the unit is plugged in.

By following these comprehensive steps, your RV will be well-prepared for storage, helping to prevent damage and ensure it's ready for your next adventure.

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