📋 What you'll discover

  • Winterize your RV properly with our step by step guide
  • Prevent costly damage during storage season
  • Track completion of all critical preparation tasks
  • Get expert tips for long term RV storage
Motorhome properly prepared for long-term indoor storage with tire covers, secured power cord, and protective RV cover

RV Storage Preparation Checklist

Protect your investment with our comprehensive winterization and storage guide

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Storage Preparation Checklist

RV INFORMATION

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Professional Storage & Preparation Services

Expert services and quality products to properly prepare and store your RV for any season.

Professional RV Storage Services

Find trusted storage facilities, winterization services, and maintenance support nationwide.

  • • Certified Storage Facilities
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  • • Maintenance Support
  • • Member Discounts

Smart Storage Monitoring

Advanced monitoring systems to track your RV conditions while in storage.

  • • Remote Monitoring
  • • Climate Tracking
  • • Security Alerts
  • • Battery Management

Winterization & Water Systems

Complete water system protection, winterization supplies, and storage preparation products.

  • • Winterization Kits
  • • System Protection
  • • Quality Products
  • • Expert Guidance

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Winterization Essentials: What the Checklist Covers

The single biggest cause of expensive RV repairs after storage is frozen plumbing. Water left in pipes, tanks, or the water heater expands when it freezes and can crack fittings, split hoses, or rupture tanks.

Proper winterization prevents all of this.

Plumbing Protection

Drain the fresh water tank, hot water heater (after turning it off and letting it cool), and all low point drains. Then pump non toxic RV antifreeze through every faucet, shower, and toilet until you see pink fluid.

Don't forget the outdoor shower and ice maker lines.

Battery Care

Fully charge all batteries before storage. Disconnect the negative terminal to prevent parasitic drain.

For lithium batteries, store at 50 to 80% state of charge per manufacturer guidelines. Lead acid batteries should be on a float charger if shore power is available at your storage location.

Rodent Prevention

Seal every opening larger than a pencil eraser with steel wool or copper mesh. Cover exhaust pipes, furnace vents, and fridge vents with mesh screens.

Place dryer sheets or peppermint oil sachets in cabinets and storage bays. Check monthly if your storage facility allows access.

Tire and Suspension

Inflate tires to the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall to reduce flat spotting during storage.

If storing for more than three months, consider using tire covers to block UV damage and placing the RV on jack stands to take weight off the tires and suspension.

Pouring non-toxic RV antifreeze through a water system bypass valve during winterization preparation

Common Storage Mistakes to Avoid

Leaving food inside. Even sealed packages attract rodents.

Remove everything edible, including pet food, spices, and that emergency can of soup in the pantry.

Skipping the roof inspection. A small crack in a roof sealant joint lets in moisture all winter.

Inspect and reseal any suspicious spots before covering up.

Closing all vents and windows. Your RV needs minimal air circulation to prevent mold growth.

Leave a roof vent cracked with a rain cover, or use moisture absorber products inside.

Forgetting insurance adjustments. Many insurers offer reduced premiums for stored RVs.

Contact your provider to switch to a storage policy and save money during months you are not traveling.

RV owner inspecting and resealing roof sealant around a vent before long-term storage