Winter is probably not prime tenting season, however that doesn’t imply you need to neglect your RV for the entire season. The truth is, there are a number of winter tenting upkeep duties you’ll wish to keep on prime of earlier than and through the chilly season with a purpose to be certain that your RV is able to go as soon as spring rolls round.
Though these aren’t probably the most enjoyable components of proudly owning an RV, they’re needed, and I’ve discovered the onerous manner simply what occurs for those who skimp on upkeep. It’s not fairly.
Under, I’ve made an inventory of crucial winter tenting upkeep to-dos. Stick with this checklist and you may’t go flawed.
Winter Tenting Upkeep for Residing in Your RV
First, let’s speak about winter tenting upkeep duties you’ll wish to care for for those who occur to be dwelling in your RV this chilly season. Common upkeep is essential to maintain your rig secure, heat, and practical in freezing temperatures, so don’t skip these steps.
Insulate Your RV
First, be certain that your RV is as insulated as potential. Use reflective insulation like Reflectix on home windows, together with climate stripping round doorways to reduce drafts. Set up RV skirting to stop chilly air from blowing beneath the rig. You may additionally wish to add insulated vent cushions to stop warmth loss by means of roof vents.
IcePyro on iRV2 has some ideas on this topic, “One factor that may be simple with virtually zero weight and a complete DIY is to get a few of these window cowl kits that tape up a sheet of plastic, that further layer and sealed air could make a good distinction. In any other case if you’re stationary I usually see folks “Skirt” the edges of their RV/motorhome with strong sheets of froth insulation, although outcomes might fluctuate on that.”
Defend the Plumbing
Maintaining your RV’s plumbing from freezing is the most important problem when dwelling in an RV in winter. You’ll undoubtedly wish to use a heated water hose to stop the water provide from freezing, after which set up (or activate) heating pads for the fresh-, gray-, and black-water tanks. You too can wrap uncovered pipes and the sewer hose with foam insulation or warmth tape to maintain them from freezing.
Preserve the Heating System
Clearly, you’ll wish to be certain that your RV’s heating system retains working for the entire winter. Examine the RV furnace, clear the vents, and exchange filters as wanted. Monitor propane ranges incessantly and preserve the tank(s) stuffed, as heating consumes extra propane in winter.
Be aware: It’s additionally a good suggestion to maintain a transportable electrical heater as a backup to your RV furnace. Some folks even select to make use of an electrical heater as an alternative of the furnace.
Monitor Air flow
Condensation can grow to be an actual drawback when winter tenting. There are days that we have now condensation actually dripping down our partitions. Use a dehumidifier or crack a window barely to scale back moisture buildup. If wanted, activate the vent fan when cooking or utilizing the bathe.
Maintain Steps and Walkways Protected
I don’t find out about your RV steps, however ours are completely treacherous if even the smallest quantity of rain lands on them. Snow and ice might be even worse. Use RV-friendly de-icer on steps and walkways to stop slips.
Put together for Emergencies
An influence outage, a blizzard, or one other winter emergency is far simpler to take care of you probably have the correct provides. Maintain further propane, ingesting water, batteries, flashlights, a climate radio, and non-perishable meals in case of extreme climate. Make sure the generator has sufficient gas and check it frequently.
A propane heater just like the Mr. Buddy can preserve you heat for those who lose energy. It’s additionally a good suggestion to maintain heavy blankets or sleeping luggage round.
Winter Tenting Upkeep for Storing Your RV
Let’s say you’re storing your rig earlier than (or for the rest of) the chilly season. Correctly getting ready your RV for winter storage can forestall injury and guarantee it’s prepared to make use of when hotter climate returns. Listed here are the winter tenting upkeep steps you’ll wish to take on this case.
Drain and Winterize the Plumbing System
Before everything, be certain that to winterize your RV’s plumbing system to maintain it from freezing. To do that, open all taps and use a water pump to clear any remaining water from the traces. Subsequent, empty the fresh-, gray-, and black-water tanks utterly. Lastly, pump RV-safe antifreeze by means of the plumbing system to guard pipes, taps, and the water pump from freezing.
Cowl the RV
Coated RV storage is all the time the very best guess, however for those who can’t have that, you would possibly wish to use an RV cowl. It will defend the RV from snow, ice, particles, and water leaks. Simply be certain that the duvet has vents to stop moisture buildup and mildew, particularly for those who reside in an space that sees a variety of humidity, rain, and/or snow.
Stabilize and Degree the RV
Make sure the RV is degree. It will forestall stress on the body and suspension, two belongings you undoubtedly don’t wish to have points with. As soon as that’s completed, decrease the stabilizing jacks to maintain the RV regular and cut back stress on the tires and assist preserve them in tip-top form.
Defend the Inside
Earlier than leaving your RV, take out electronics, valuables, and something delicate to temperature modifications. You’ll additionally wish to take away all meals that might freeze and burst or appeal to pests. Use moisture absorbers reminiscent of DampRid to assist forestall mould and mildew, and shut window shades to guard the inside from UV injury.
Shut Off Propane
Lastly, make sure you shut off the propane provide and disconnect the tanks. You wouldn’t desire a propane leak to crop up whilst you weren’t there, as this might create some harmful conditions. In addition to, propane attracts sure bugs, and also you don’t wish to return to a bunch of creepy crawlers.
Common Winter Tenting Upkeep
There are a handful of belongings you’ll wish to do in and in your RV, whether or not you’re dwelling in it or storing it through the winter months. Under is an inventory of common winter tenting upkeep duties that each one RV homeowners ought to be caring for.
Preserve Engines
Add gas stabilizer to the fuel or diesel tank of your RV—and to your generator—to stop gas degradation. Carry out oil modifications on each the RV and the generator to take away contaminants that might injury the engine over time. Even for those who aren’t utilizing them, begin the RV engine and the generator periodically through the winter to maintain them in good situation.
Forestall Rodents and Pests
Clearly, you don’t need mice or bugs taking up your home-on-wheels, and winter is the time when many pests will attempt to make themselves at residence in your cozy area. Block gaps in vents, doorways, and undercarriage areas the place pests may enter. You might also wish to place mothballs, dryer sheets, or pure repellents contained in the RV to discourage pests. Outcomes might fluctuate, however most each RVer has a most well-liked methodology.
Defend Tires
Inflate your tires to the really helpful stress. Examine the tire stress each couple of weeks (or each time you progress) and add air as wanted. You may additionally think about using covers to guard tires from UV rays and freezing temperatures. One other factor you are able to do? Place tires on wood boards or rubber mats to stop them from sitting on chilly, damp floor.
Defend the Batteries
We discovered throughout a latest boondocking journey that batteries hate the chilly. They may discharge extra rapidly in chilly climate, which means chances are you’ll wish to discover a comparatively heat place to retailer them if you are able to do so safely. In case you depend on photo voltaic panels to maintain the batteries charged, ensure you clear them of snow and ice as usually as needed.
Batteries additionally don’t like being left to discharge utterly. In case your RV goes into storage, take away and retailer batteries in a heat, dry place to stop freezing and corrosion. Use a battery maintainer or trickle charger to maintain batteries charged over the winter.
Clear and Seal the RV Exterior
Earlier than winter hits (or throughout a hotter spell), give the RV a very good wash and wax to guard the paint from solar, snow, and ice injury. Examine roof seams, home windows, and door seals for cracks, and apply RV sealant as wanted to stop water leaks. Proceed to verify the seals frequently all through the winter.
If a leak crops up, reseal that spot instantly. We truly had to do that on Christmas Day. It wasn’t enjoyable, but it surely was needed.
Examine Periodically
Examine your RV periodically through the winter. Even for those who’re within the rig every single day, sure points can go undetected for those who aren’t actively in search of them. Examine for leaks, pests, or snow buildup. Care for leaks and pests instantly, and clear snow and ice from the roof and undercarriage of the RV to stop extra weight and injury.
Keep on Prime of Issues
As you may see, there are a selection of issues try to be conserving observe of with regards to winter tenting upkeep. This may be overwhelming, for positive. Unsure you may keep on prime of all of this stuff? Think about using the RV LIFE Upkeep instrument that will help you keep in mind what to do—and when to do it.
