As the days shorten and the weather gets cooler and cooler, RV owners from all over are making plans for their RVs. It’s not too late to prepare your RV for the winter season. In this article, we’ll explain what to do if you’re planning to winterize your RV for storage or travel in your RV during the winter months.
While most summer campers are busy winterizing their vehicles, snowbirds are focused more on checks and maintenance to prepare for their winter destination adventures. How you prepare your vehicle for winter will depend on what kind of RV’er you are.
Winterizing an RV
Plenty of RV owners look to winterize their vehicles as soon as the summer ends in preparation for the upcoming cold months. Unless you live somewhere with a mild climate or a heated storage facility, winterization is a must, especially if you don’t plan on traveling during the winter season. Below are a few basic steps you should take to prepare your R.V. for winter.
- Clean living areas, bathroom, and kitchen thoroughly
- Prepare the sewage and water systems with antifreeze
- Disconnect the cord powering your RV from the battery
- Seal all cracks and install high-quality weather stripping around doors and windows
- Do essential maintenance to prepare for the next season
- Check all areas to ensure your vehicle is well protected from rodents and bugs.
There you have it – the basic steps you should take to prepare your RV for winter. However, snowbirds have a different set of steps to take to get prepared.
Preparing an RV for Winter Travels
If you’re someone who travels from colder to warmer climates during the winter, the first thing you must do is a W.E.S.T. check-up. (Water, Electric, Sewage, Tires)
- Water: Ensure you flush your water system before leaving. Pack extra hoses and consider getting an in-line water filet and pressure regulator.
- Electric: Check if your RV power system is in its best condition before leaving. If you notice any signs of weathering, burns, water damage, or rust in your connectors, you should upgrade immediately to SmartPlug technology so that safe shore power is delivered throughout your travels. Consider getting a few extra extension cords and voltage adapters.
- Sewage: Flush your sewage system and check if everything is working correctly.
- Tires: Verify all tires are in great condition for optimal RVsafety when you hit the road. For example, double-check that they’re free of leaks and inflated correctly before leaving.
Now that you completely understand what you must do, you and your passengers are ready to face the cold winter travels head-on!
Upgrade for Safety
SmartPlug is a revolutionary electrical connection that features triple weatherproof seals, a solid sleeve connection, and it just plugs right in without twisting. Head out on the road with peace of mind and the highest level of safety.
Wishing you a safe and healthy new year!
