Short term storage tips

lfrese wrote:
I just bought a motorhome and am learning about maintaining it. I plan to use it on weekends during the summer (every weekend almost), and during the winter, take it south where its warm in November, January, and March.

I know there are some things that need to be done when one plans to store the motorhome long term, what about if its just sitting for the week, and then in the winter (I live where it snows).. I dont want to have to winterize and de winterize it 3 times....


Here is what I have so far

Short term - weekender:
Turn off LP, water pump, water heater.
Empty fresh water, grey, black.
Add a few gallons of water back into black with chems.

Do I need to run the gas out of the generator too?
Do I need to put water back in grey tank with chems?
Should I put anything in the fresh water tank?
Any other tips for weekending?


For the winter season:
Same as above except also add some pink antifreeze to tanks while its sitting?
Insulate hoses?
Would I remove insulation prior to taking it on the trip?
Any other suggestions?

For the winter, bypass and drain the hot water heater, and low point drains ( should be a bypass valve on the back of the water heater tank., and for low point drains, . See owners manual)
As far as pipe insulation, if the insulation isnt outiside or under the rig, no real need to remove it. For the generator, if it is a built in generator , i dont think there is a way to run it out of gasoline. During any extended NON use period, i go out to my rv at least once a month and run the generator WITH a load on it, ( a small portable heater , the roof A/C etc... ) run it for at least 20 mins. Its also good to start the motorhome engine if you can, and take it for a short ride, around the block etc.. For black and gray tanks, empty them and if possible flush them out. You can add chemicals to the black and they also make chemicals for the gray tank. I like to put some pink antifreeze in both tanks to keep any left over water that travels to the dump valves from freezing and potentially cracking a pipe. For the fresh water tank, drain completely and put in a few gallons of pink antifreeze and run that thru the water pump and water system. Then just do the regular stuff, check all gaskets, seals, doors, tires ( cover them to prevent premature aging due to UV damage)
Last but not least... READ these forums, and do a search with the words WINTERIZE, or STORAGE, etc....

Good luck and happy travels