Yes I know, it’s the middle of winter and in some states serious weather is bringing you freezing cold. There may be a couple of items here that you can still do to safeguard your investment. Let’s take a look at 10 things to consider when winterizing your RV and not necessarily in order of importance.

Check water levels in all batteries. Often overlooked, this one safeguard will add perhaps a year to the life of your batteries. Top off all batteries with distilled water. Always follow manufacturer recommendations. Make sure all batteries are free from dirt, oil or other debris. If there is enough dirt on a battery it can create a slight connection between the positive and negative terminals and over the winter season may drain your batteries and shorten battery life.

Drain all tanks, fresh water, gray and black. Refill all to ¼ full with manufacturer recommended additives. It’s easy to tell when tanks have been properly maintained especially the Black waste tank. If you can smell your tank from inside the coach you’ve not been storing it properly over the winter season with proper additives.

Put manufacturer recommended additives into the water lines to keep from freezing. Perform standard manufacturer recommended service on the engine’s heating and cooling system.

Cover your tires anytime the coach is in storage, especially when stored outside. Tire covers come in all types and sizes. It can be as simple as a piece of plywood leaning against each tire or it can be beautiful slip-on covers. The objective is to block the UV rays that cause your tires to crack taking miles off the life of the tire.

Cover furnace and water heater access panels to prevent insects from nesting in this area. They will leave behind mud and dirt. Considerable costs are incurred for cleaning or repair before you can get your heating equipment functional again.

Cover the water heater vent. Spiders love to build webs in the J-Tubes. Webs can seriously reduce fuel burning efficiency when the water heater is started again in the spring.

Roll out the awnings. Make sure they are totally and completely clean and dry then roll back up for winter storage. This will prevent spots of mold and mildew on your beautiful awning when you open it in the spring.

Have roof sealants around all vents checked for leaks. A small leak this winter will be a big leak by the time spring arrives.

Purchase a roof cover if you can afford it. This will add years to the life of the rubber roof covering. It will prevent premature cracking and overall weathering.

Leave the refrigerator doors open ½ to 1”. This will prevent mold and mildew from forming during storage.

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Your recreational vehicle investment deserves the best in preventative maintenance you can provide. If you have not yet done so, find a great RV mechanic and stick with him. He can save you tons of cash over the life of your coach. Many times these reliable RV mechanics can be found at businesses that only supply parts and service for RVs. They do not sell the coaches. Their primary focus is service, parts and preventative maintanence.

Extend the life of your RV with these 10 things to consider when winterizing your RV. Coming soon, 10 things to consider when bringing your RV out of winter storage and getting it ready for the road in the spring.