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?

27 Replies

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.
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.
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.
Mfan
Explorer
Aug 12, 2018
Ask what normal snow fall is in the area. Inside, is best option
Komfort_23TS
Explorer
Aug 12, 2018
I take mine to Florida!
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.
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.

Forum Discussion

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

27 Replies

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

Winterizing tips and tricks

Looking for owners manual 2007 Sonoma

Winter storage in cold climate

Winter in warm-ish climates

winter camping in warm climate