winterizing

[pedally]

Soon it will be that time of year some of us will pit our RV to bed for the winter.

Can hydrolic jacks withstand having the weight of the RV enough to get the tires off the ground to prevent flat spots on the tires?

Do you cover your RV or let it sit out in the elements?

Of course I will winterize the unit due to the Iowa winters but would rather be sitting on the San Padre Islands during the winter months.

What do you do to prepare for winter? Thoughts?

[DrewE]

tenbear wrote:
I have never covered my RV and it sits on it's wheels, in the outdoors, all the time. Never had a problem with winter storage. Yes, we do get winters here in Vermont and usually lots of snow.

Pretty much everything here applies exactly to me, as well. The exception is that, in the past few years in the Champlain valley, we haven't usually gotten lots of snow.

I drain the water heater and tanks, blow the water lines out, put antifreeze in the drains, take in whatever aqueous chemicals I have (window cleaner etc.), and put fresh bait in the mouse traps. That's it for winter preparation. If an oil change is about due, it makes sense to do that before a long period of non-use so that it's fresh, uncontaminated oil that's sitting rather than used oil.

I happen to have a plug in handy for the RV and a good converter, so I just leave it plugged in. If I didn't, I would also make sure the batteries were charged and then disconnect them.

[tenbear]

I have never covered my RV and it sits on it's wheels, in the outdoors, all the time. Never had a problem with winter storage. Yes, we do get winters here in Vermont and usually lots of snow.

[georgelesley]

pedally wrote:
Soon it will be that time of year some of us will pit our RV to bed for the winter.

Can hydrolic jacks withstand having the weight of the RV enough to get the tires off the ground to prevent flat spots on the tires?

Do you cover your RV or let it sit out in the elements?

Of course I will winterize the unit due to the Iowa winters but would rather be sitting on the San Padre Islands during the winter months.

What do you do to prepare for winter? Thoughts?

Read your manual for the hydraulic jacks. Most do not recommend it for long term storage as it keeps the hydraulic system pressurized constantly. Also exposes the cylinders to the outside conditions constantly. Also if the rear wheels are off the ground the parking brake and park gear in the transmission do not work.

[rhagfo]

Well last year here in the PNW I only needed to winterize once, about early November. I was going to be out of town traveling, and unsure of the temps while gone. We then went out over Christmas and new Years, and didn't to winterize after that trip.

I really do feel for you in the Midwest and northeast. I think if I lived in those areas I would cover.