The Ultimate Guide to Storing Your RV in the Off-Season
TL;DR: Properly store your RV off-season by parking at home, using an outdoor lot, or investing in indoor storage, taking necessary steps for each to protect against weather, pests, and deterioration.
When choosing where you plan to store your RV when you’re not planning on using it, you have the option of leaving it parked at your residence, in an RV storage lot, or in an indoor storage unit.This guide to storing your RV in the off-season will walk you through your options and give you important information to make sure you are properly taking care of your RV no matter which option you choose.
- Parking at Your Residence
- Using an Outdoor RV Storage Lot
- Invest in Indoor Storage
Parking at Your Residence
You may want to treat off-season storage like business as usual. Depending on how you park and your local climate, this may not be feasible and could even pose major risks to your RV. Your area’s risk of snowstorms, thunderstorms, hurricanes, sub-zero temperatures, or other major weather events should factor into your decision-making. If you have a garage or covered shelter to park your RV, you can prevent some weather-related damage.An uncovered outdoor space, although cheaper than paying for indoor storage, requires more regular maintenance and additional supplies. If you decide to take on this challenge, be sure to invest in an RV cover. This will help prevent dirt, rain, and snow from getting all over your RV.In order to prevent additional damage from outdoor storage, make sure you:
- Drain all water from the tank and use antifreeze to prevent pipes from bursting
- Disconnect the battery and store it in a cool, dry place
- Use a fuel stabilizer to keep the gas in your tank in good condition
- Clean the inside of your RV and make sure all potential entry points are sealed to prevent bugs and rodents from making your RV their home
- Make sure you’re parked on a solid surface (not grass) and cover and level your tires
- Check on your RV every few weeks to make sure no issues are starting to form
- Scrape any snow that’s settled on top of your RV
For more essential information, check out this resource to help you Winterize Your RV.