OK. I have lived in southern Arizona most of my life and my RV has never seen winter. I bought a cottage for summer use in northern WI and, for a number of reasons, would like to leave my RV there this fall and over the winter for use next summer. I can figure out how to winterize, of course, but am wondering what do people in that area do who don't have an RV garage. Do you leave it outside? Buy a cover? Shrink wrap? Does someone need to check on it? Shovel snow off the roof? Any insight and suggestions would be helpful.

I think most people just leave them out uncovered. We have always covered ours either with a fabric cover or nowadays, a carport. It makes a huge difference to how fast the RV ages.

We winterize and then leave it in our yard uncovered. Covers rip easily with the howling winds that winter brings, snap off downspouts and rub the paint off the camper. Most around here in Western NY do as we do. Inside storage is the best but not always an option. Maybe check with some dealers local to where you will be. I'm sure they will know of inside storage locations you can call and inquire about availability.

Ask what normal snow fall is in the area. Inside, is best option

Winterize and leave outside. If they get a lot of snow where you are leaving it you may want to get someone to clear the roof. That is always scary as you can do more damage if not careful so having someone else do it can be worse than leaving the snow there.

Cold climate owners: what do you do with your RV in winter?

ScottG
Nomad
Aug 12, 2018
I think most people just leave them out uncovered.
We have always covered ours either with a fabric cover or nowadays, a carport. It makes a huge difference to how fast the RV ages.
RobWNY
Explorer
Aug 12, 2018
We winterize and then leave it in our yard uncovered. Covers rip easily with the howling winds that winter brings, snap off downspouts and rub the paint off the camper. Most around here in Western NY do as we do. Inside storage is the best but not always an option. Maybe check with some dealers local to where you will be. I'm sure they will know of inside storage locations you can call and inquire about availability.
Komfort_23TS
Explorer
Aug 12, 2018
I take mine to Florida!
Mfan
Explorer
Aug 12, 2018
Ask what normal snow fall is in the area. Inside, is best option
Photomike
Explorer III
Aug 12, 2018
Winterize and leave outside. If they get a lot of snow where you are leaving it you may want to get someone to clear the roof. That is always scary as you can do more damage if not careful so having someone else do it can be worse than leaving the snow there.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Aug 12, 2018
Go camping in it....but when we are not camping it's blown out and winterized and under a roof in outside temperatures.
mat60
Explorer
Aug 12, 2018
I really am looking forward to building a RV carport but probably cant this year. I don't want a cover because I like to be able to run the heat to do mods in the winter. When we lose power I now have a small generator and keep extra LP on hand so we wont be that bad now. Glad for that.
Dick_B
Explorer
Aug 12, 2018
Sure would be nice to put it in a barn for the winter. Ours sits outside with a Sunshield trap over the top held down with boat fenders half filled with sand. I used to worry about the snow load but at 80 years old I don't anymore.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Aug 12, 2018
Was snow heavier in the olden days, Dick?
suprz
Explorer
Aug 12, 2018
Mine is winterized, cleaned, and covered for the winter. I cover mine with a used billboard tarp and tied down tight. I have a regular rv cover but it is not waterproof... Just water "repellant" so I don't use it during the winter.