How to Prepare Your RV for Storage

For those who like to travel in comfort, RVs offer a home away from home wherever you decide to wander. Hitting the open road in an RV is one of the best ways to see our beautiful country. But RVs take up a lot of space, and tend to get seasonal use, so how should owners store their RVs?

Whether you're a new or seasoned RV owner, we hope these tips will help you properly store your RV.

Choose The Right RV Storage Facility 

Finding the right place to store your RV depends on many factors. An RV is an investment, so you'll want to make sure it is secure in storage.

Before you type in "RV storage near me" on Google, make sure you know your budget, size of your RV, and how long you plan on storing it at the facility. 

The location will be important, as you won't want to travel too far to take it out for a weekend. 

Also, consider a storage facility that offers 24-hour gate access. That way, you'll be able to take your RV out whenever you please (we know how those impulsive travel urges go).

U-Lock-It Self Storage Belleville offers a safe, accessible, and affordable outdoor storage option for your RV.

No Free Rides 

RVs are comfortable and convenient for people, but critters might also want to take a ride. Give your RV a thorough once over for any signs of mice, bugs, or, goodness forbid, something larger. Check drawers, under counters, and even pop the hood.

Other than spreading germs, unwanted critters can cause some severe damage to your RV. For example, mice can chew through wires, which might even pose a fire hazard.

Double-check and adequately seal all windows, doors, vents, and anywhere else that might make for an opening to wildlife. Don't underestimate the tenacity of a mouse.

Clean Until it Looks Like New

After a summer of road trips, your RV might be looking a bit messy. While it's convenient to park your RV at a local outdoor self-storage facility and say, "I'll worry about it in the spring," we suggest you give it a thorough cleaning before storing it for several months. 

Clean out all drawers, including bathroom medicine cabinets. Cold weather could lead to leftover toothpaste and other bathroom items to freeze and break, causing a mess. 

As mentioned in the critter section, don't leave any food in your cupboards or the fridge. No, that ketchup and mustard won't be good next summer. Scrub the inside of your fridge, microwave, or any other built-in food preparer with water and appropriate cleaner. You won't want to find a mold problem when you take it out of storage. 

Read these tips for maintaining your RV for a winter trip if you decide to take it out in the snow.

Take Cover! 

No matter how good your tires look, there's a chance that the weather is taking its toll even if you aren't using your RV. Avoid weather cracking on your tires with a cover. Check out this list of the best RV tire covers. 

Over time, the sun can damage furniture, so make sure you put your blinds down before leaving your RV in storage. 

Engine maintenance 

You can't expect to leave your RV in storage long-term and then have it up and running if you skip engine maintenance. Before putting your RV in storage, change its oil, check the antifreeze levels, and add fuel stabilizer. Remember to run the engine so that this stabilizer can make its way through the system. 

You'll want to check back every couple of months and run the engine on idle for a while. 

We hope this list is a good starting point for those looking to store their RVs. Please consult the vehicle's manual for additional tips and procedures. 

Don't hesitate to call U-Lock-It Self Storage Belleville to learn about our outdoor units. 

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