Page 60 - Michigan RV and Campgrounds directory

the water pump and open a faucet to release pressure. Pour a little antifreeze down each drain and into the toilet. Flush the toilet so that it gets into the holding tank. Consult your owner’s manual for any other components in your RV that may require winterization,
such as a washing machine.
Clean
Take everything out of the refrigerator and clean it thoroughly while you’re at it. You don’t want some old food or leftover sticky drink lying around for months and attracting pests. The same goes for cupboards and drawers.
Cover Vents and Holes
This includes the exhaust pipe, roof vents, fan vents, the vents around appliances, and wider spaces such as around doors. For some
areas, all you need to do is simply taking a sheet of plastic and placing it over the opening and securing it with tape (that won’t ruin your RV’s interior surfaces) or securing it beneath an existing cover; however, you need to remember to remove these temporary covers when the RV comes out of storage.
Rodent and Pest Prevention
Your RV is going to be sitting unattended for several months, making it the perfect winter retreat for small furry creatures. Rodents can cause damage to your electrical wiring and chew up curtains, seat cushions, and even the floor. Taking care of covering vents
Fill or Remove the Propane Tanks
Containers should be topped off before being stored to help
better withstand the weather. Shut off the supply and cover the tanks. Removable tanks can be taken off, covered, and stored in an area outside your RV. It’s important to note that pests – especially spiders – are drawn to the scent of propane odorizer. Take away that temptation to help avoid their presence in your RV.
Battery Power
Fully charge a 12-volt battery prior to storage, and top off the water levels. If the climate is too cold (think Pellston), then remove it and store it in a warmer, dry place. Disconnect all cables and flip off the RV’s
main break panel. Unplug all electrical appliances, alarms, and detectors. If you have a generator, look to the manual for detailed instructions.
Long Live
the Tires Another one of our articles gives details about
how to extend the life of your tires. Part of this life is spent in storage, and the tires still age even though they’re not
in use. If you have one, use your RV’s leveling system to offer additional support. You can also consider using outside jacks or blocks. If the RV is accessible, move the RV once or twice over the winter to help distribute the weight over the tire’s surface.
Engine Maintenance
Top off the gasoline or diesel tanks and add a fuel stabilizer, which
can be found at pretty much any automotive or RV supply
store. Top off the radiator with antifreeze. Check
the windshield wiper, brake fluid, and oil levels throughout the winter if you can, and top off as necessary.
Cover Your RV
If your RV is going to be left outside, exposed to the elements, or even if it’s being
stored in an old barn, think about covering it. You can use a tarp to ward off dust and
grime and snow, but a more breathable material is more preferred. It will help keep
mold and mildew at bay because moisture will be less likely to get trapped beneath the cover.
••••••
It’s important to winterize your RV properly as well as employ some preventative measures. Don’t take the easy way when it comes to winterizing your RV. Doing things properly in the
fall will help ensure that it’s in good operating condition and ready to travel when the season comes around again.
Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds
and holes as described in #4 will help, but you
may need to get under your RV to look for small holes, about the size of a penny, and fill them with aluminum or brass wool. Inside, you can
think about putting out moth balls (there is disparity over whether this actually works)
or setting traps, but your RV might not
smell the best when you open it back up
in the spring – peppermint oil may also
provide a solution and give your RV a
nice scent. The spring is when you’ll need
to worry most about insect infestation,
including bees, ants, and spiders. You can
place out bait strips and traps at the most accessible places. Cleaning your RV
well and tightly sealing
it up will help with To read more, preventing
insects
as well.
58
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