Now that summer is over and winter is just around the corner, it’s time for you to winterize your RV if you don’t have any plans of taking it out for winter vacations. However, it’s not as easy as simply finding a parking and storage space for your rig. If you just store your RV without preparing it for the cold temperatures, you’ll most likely come back to a dead vehicle come spring.

Luckily, winterization isn’t that difficult a process! You just need to give your RV a little bit of extra TLC before storing it for the winter.

Here’s how to winterize your RV in three easy steps.

Step #1: Winterize your RV’s systems

The most important step that you need to take is to winterize your RV’s internal systems. This includes the plumbing, the batteries, and the HVAC system.

1. Plumbing system
   Your RV’s plumbing system runs through your whole rig, and it refers to both the bathroom and the kitchen. 
   
   First, you need to turn off the water heater, and then drain all the remaining water from the pipes. If the pipes have any water remaining, the water can solidify and crack the pipes. Open all the faucets simultaneously to ensure that all the water is flushed out completely. Once all the water has been drained, refill the system with antifreeze. Make sure that the whole system is filled with antifreeze so that all your pipes and drains are protected.
   
   For larger RVs, you might need to refer to the owner’s manual for any extra winterization steps.
   
2. Batteries
   While RV batteries are made to withstand extreme temperatures, they are not designed to withstand long periods of idleness during winter. For smaller RVs with single batteries, it is a simple matter to disconnect the battery and store it for the winter. However, if you have a large RV with multiple batteries, you should refer to the owner’s manual. In some cases, it might even be better to keep these batteries installed because it can be difficult to remove them without specialized tools and knowledge. If this is the case for you, check the battery charge level throughout the storage period and recharge when needed.
   
3. HVAC system
   When preparing to store your RV for the winter, don’t forget to clean out your RV’s HVAC system. You don’t want any dirt or grime being stored inside your HVAC system for months because they can trap moisture and cause mold and mildew to grow inside your RV.
   
   Replace any filters that are old or broken, or clean filters that are dirty but still usable.

Step #2: Protecting the interior

A dirty RV that’s in storage during the winter is basically a haven for critters and bacteria. If you don’t take the time to clean out your RV before storing it, you’ll have a very unpleasant surprise when spring comes!

General cleaning is great, but you also have to pay extra attention to those nooks and crannies that can be used as hiding spaces. Take out all clothing, blankets, and other items that critters can use to make a nest. If possible, remove cushions and mattresses as well. However, if these are too large, you should at least prop them up against walls to allow air to circulate around them.

Make sure that your RV interior is as clean and dry as possible before putting it in storage. You can also put in dehumidifiers to prevent mold and mildew from building up. 

Step #3: Protecting the exterior

The exterior of your RV also deserves some TLC to prepare it for winter. Clean the exterior thoroughly then apply a coating of good quality wax to protect it from moisture and the cold. You can even place a breathable shell on top for further protection.

Winterize your RV conclusion

Winterizing your RV is an important step that you need to take to ensure that you have a working RV to come back to in the spring. Luckily, these three steps are easy to do and they take minimal effort and equipment. Even if you have a large RV, the basic steps will be the same. You just need to refer to it to make sure that you also perform any extra steps needed to fully protect your RV this coming winter.

Need more recommendations to make the most out of your RV experience? Visit the Bayside RV for more tips at http://www.baysiderv.com.

Related link: Camping trailers: 25+ dos and don’ts for your next trip

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Camping trailers are a great way to get outdoors and spent time with your family. However, there are a few dos and don’ts that can save you stress and money and keep your camping trailer in tip top shape. Check it out!

Our family has owned our fifth wheel for about six years now. It has been an awesome investment. It has allowed our family to travel everywhere together. However, camping trailers require a bit of elbow grease to keep them maintained and liveable. Here’s some dos and some don’t that we have learned along the way.

Dos for camping trailers

• Sign up for AAA premier. This covers 200 miles of RV towing. You don’t want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere with a broke down trailer.
• Install RV LED light bulbs. Some camping trailers already have these installed, but if yours doesn’t, it will save you so much battery power.
• Invest in a portable power station. Throw away those junky 12 volt batteries and buy a Bluetti power station. These babies will power your entire camping trailer for years. This is a one-stop solution for any camper.

• Install a solar panel and charge controller. My husband installed a 100 watt 12 volt solar panel on the top of our fifth wheel. It keeps our batteries charged and we don’t need a generator. Here’s a good video on how to install a solar panel on your RV.

• Add a bike rack. Half the time we go camping I think, “We should have brought our bikes.” And they have some great bike racks for camping trailers.
• Use a portable clothesline. If you’re going swimming, you’ll want to hang up your swimming suits. This clothesline is a must.
• Recover cushions with slipcovers. Our dinette cushions had vinyl covers on the bottom. So we just flipped the cushions. We’ve avoided a lot of stains.

• Install cabinet latches. There’s always that one cupboard door that swings open and dumps out all of your food.
• Keep a set of toothbrushes and toiletries. The whole point of a camping trailer is that you don’t have to pack everything each time. Keep a separate set of toothbrushes, shampoo and conditioner and other toiletries in your trailer all the time.
• Create a game closet. Sometimes the weather isn’t great when you’re camping. So, a game closet for your kids will keep them entertained while you’re stuck inside the trailer.

• Buy a catalytic heater. Turning on the heater in your trailer drains the battery power so fast. A catalytic heater can be installed easily on the wall and runs off propane. We love it.

• Add a memory foam topper to the bed. You can get just as good a sleep camping as you can at home. We added a memory foam topper to our mattress and it’s like sleeping on a cloud.
• Install a power inverter.  If you want to be able to run things in your RV such as a computer, LED TV, or other items that are usually found in a house, you need an inverter.

• Store plenty of blankets. We got caught in a nasty storm once while camping. I was so glad I had enough blankets to keep all of my kids warm.
• Hang a cup holder. That way you don’t have to keep doing dishes over and over.

• Utilize the exterior shower. A lot of camping trailers have an exterior shower head that you can use to wash your hair everyday while you’re camping! Just plop on a camping chair and let your hubby wash your hair for you.
• Buy a jumbo fly swatter. This might seem like a joke, but this fly swatter is a fly-killing machine. We keep one in our trailer at all times.

• Keep track of camping trips. We hang our list of places that we have camped in our trailer. You can print your own by clicking here.
• Keep a supply of bubble solution and slime ingredients. These are two fun activities are perfect for kids on a camping trip.

Don’ts for camping trailers

• Leave the windows open. If you forget to close a window when you start driving, it will tear apart your blinds.

• Empty black water too often. If there is more waste in your tank, then it’ll break down more effectively. We empty our tank about once every month or two. You can drop a deodorizer in your tank every time you go camping.
• Open awning when it’s windy. It just takes one big gust of wind to break your awning. That’s what happened to us while we were camping. Our awning ripped completely off.

• Put a 5-gallon water container in the sink. A filled water container might seem secure in the sink, but we’ve had our container fall out while driving and get water everywhere. Wait until you get there to fill it up or secure it somewhere else.
• Leave water in the tank after your trip. If you don’t dump your fresh water and gray water out, it will sit and grow bacteria. Dump it out every time.
• Use regular toilet paper. There is rapid dissolve toilet paper for RVs that breaks down easier. If you don’t use this, your waste won’t break down and it could harden in your tank and then won’t drain out. No fun.

• Allow shoes in the trailer. Nothing gets your trailer dirtier than muddy shoes. Set the rule from the beginning and your trailer will be much cleaner.
• Close the fridge and freezer doors. Once you are done camping, make sure you turn off the fridge and open the doors. If you don’t, mold will start growing inside and you’ll have a fun mess to clean up on your next trip.

• Leave food in the cabinets. It’ll attract mice.
• Scrub shower with abrasive cleaners. It is harmful to the plastic and will wear it out quicker.

Hopefully these ideas will help you out with your own trailer. Let me know if you have any other ideas in the comments below.

Related link: 20 Ooey-gooey campfire candies

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