As winter approaches, it’s time to start preparing yourself for RV Reno winter storage until the sunny spring skies are back. Winterizing your RV will help your vehicle maintain its sharp features and overall condition for years without repair. Avoiding unnecessary damage to your residential vehicle (RV) could be the difference of having the best looking (and smelling) RV on the block.
8 Tips for RV Reno Winter Storage
- Give your RV a Bath
- Drain the Water System
- Interior Cleaning
- Tire and Bearing Care
- Saving Batteries
- Renewals
- Cover your RV and Tires
- Check on your RV
1. Give Your RV a Bath
Take time to first wash your RV. Make sure to do a deep clean of the interior and exterior, and dry it completely before putting it in storage. Leaving dirt or mud on your RV while its in storage can cause problems to the outer body which can be costly to repair. It’s important to make sure all spaces and crevices are dry because any spots left wet could cause mold or mildew that will lead to an unpleasant first ride back in your RV. Check window seals, doors, and wheels to especially to avoid water damage that would need servicing.
2. Drain the Water System
This is especially critical if your RV will be stored in a place with freezing temperatures. Water in the system can freeze; leaving you with expensive service costs that could easily be avoided. Luckily, most owners manuals provide a step by step list on how to drain water and waste through the system by using RV antifreeze.
3. Interior Cleaning
During the winter, it isn’t uncommon for rodents and other small animals to find a home in RV’s. Rodents can cause damage to wiring, cabinets, flooring, seating, and pretty much anything they can find accessible to chew through. Make sure to remove all food from your RV to minimize the desire of animals to creep in. Do a walk through of the interior of your RV to check all spaces that could potentially allow an animal to squeeze in then fill these spaces with any silicon or foam material. Also take a look underneath your 
vehicle to see if there’s any spots for rodent homes, and fill those too.
4. Tire and Bearing Care
To maintain the condition of your tires and their bearings, minimizing the weight on them while in storage can be a huge money-saver. Jacking the weight, or using blocks for your tires can reduce wear and tear on your RV which would lead to costly repairs.
5. Saving Batteries
Removing your batteries from your RV can help to store the battery life. Frozen batteries can often get weakened, or sometimes destroyed, while in cold storage for a long period. Work on removing your batteries before the winter in order to dodge any extra repairs to your RV. After you remove the battery, keep it in a cool, dry place to store as much of its power possible. It’s also good practice to check your battery’s power with a voltmeter about every month and charge it as necessary to keep it as powered as you can.
6. Renewals
If you plan on storing your RV at a storage center, you’ll often be required to show proof of your RV’s current and updated documents. Ensuring your vehicles registration, license plates, and insurance are up-to-date will help the process of storing your RV and make for a less stressful start to the next season.
7. Cover Your RV and Tires
Whether your RV is being stored inside or outside, it’s good practice to cover your RV with a specialized RV cover. UV rays can cause paint damage that puts wear and tear on your vehicle’s exterior and paint. These ultraviolet rays can also do damage on your tires, so it’s helpful to use tire covers also. These covers can typically be purchased at any RV dealership in the local area.
8. Check On Your RV
When the sunny weather begins to approach you’ll want to be ready to hop in your RV for the first trip. Make sure to check on your RV while it’s in storage so you can catch any rodents or issues that might show up during the winter season so that you can get it serviced early. Handling these issues early on can lead for more adventure and fun when the time comes.
Following these RV Reno winter storage tips will save you money on repairs in the long run. When winterizing your RV, it’s important to put in the right care. If you were unable to store your RV properly or have RV damage in need of repair, be sure to visit auto body shops in your area. Call A1 Body Shop if you are looking for RV body repair shops in Reno, NV.
A1 Body Shop offers top-notch Reno auto body service and RV service in the Northern Nevada area. For more information on our services, contact A1 Body Shop at 775-348-0908 or visit A1BodyShopRV.com.