winter storage for RV
We are thinking of buying a class C. We don't expect to use it for a 3 to 6 months of the year. What should we do to keep it running well? Should we take it on short drives every so often? How often? ...
Forum Discussion
Of coarse the best storage is indoors, heated in winter. That eliminates the need to do anything with the rig during the storage period.
We have heated indoor storage located at home. I disconnect the chassis battery during storage but keep the two house batteries connected because I occasionally go inside so the lighting is nice to have working.
Regardless of how long, during heated indoor storage at home.
I DON'T.....
- winterize the rig
- run the Ford V10 engine during the storage period
- run the generator during the storage period
- start the storage period with partially drained batteries
I DO....
- drain the water in all tanks, water heater and plumbing
- charge the batteries every month or two using a secondary charger on a low setting
If our rig was stored in heated storage located off-site, I would disconnect every battery and forget about the rig.
I think paying for indoor storage is worth consideration given how well preserved a motor home is when stored indoors. Our rig is over 9 years old with 30,000 miles now. I displayed it at a recent Father's Day event/auto show. Many people thought the motor home was brand new. It has the original everything including tires and brakes and it all works perfect too. Strange, but the rig even smells new inside. I do all my own work which has been just fluid and filter changes.
Shop around for a local indoor storage facility. Do the math. You may find it not much different in cost compared to paying for all the aftermath repairs related to outdoor storage and weathering of the rig, and degradation of everything rubber and caulk related. Then there is the protection against water getting inside if there was a breach.
We have heated indoor storage located at home. I disconnect the chassis battery during storage but keep the two house batteries connected because I occasionally go inside so the lighting is nice to have working.
Regardless of how long, during heated indoor storage at home.
I DON'T.....
- winterize the rig
- run the Ford V10 engine during the storage period
- run the generator during the storage period
- start the storage period with partially drained batteries
I DO....
- drain the water in all tanks, water heater and plumbing
- charge the batteries every month or two using a secondary charger on a low setting
If our rig was stored in heated storage located off-site, I would disconnect every battery and forget about the rig.
I think paying for indoor storage is worth consideration given how well preserved a motor home is when stored indoors. Our rig is over 9 years old with 30,000 miles now. I displayed it at a recent Father's Day event/auto show. Many people thought the motor home was brand new. It has the original everything including tires and brakes and it all works perfect too. Strange, but the rig even smells new inside. I do all my own work which has been just fluid and filter changes.
Shop around for a local indoor storage facility. Do the math. You may find it not much different in cost compared to paying for all the aftermath repairs related to outdoor storage and weathering of the rig, and degradation of everything rubber and caulk related. Then there is the protection against water getting inside if there was a breach.
