When you’re home from this season’s adventure.
It’s time to decide what to do with the RV. You could leave it in the driveway for the winter, but that might not be the best option. Your neighbors may think it’s an eyesore, or you may belong to a neighborhood association that has rules against leaving over-sized vehicles in the driveway or on the street. And then there’s the extreme inconvenience of having to maneuver around it to park your cars in your garage.
What you need is a convenient, affordable, and dependable place to store your “home away from home” until you’re ready to use it again. My Storage Plus has years of experience storing recreational vehicles ranging from travel trailers and truck campers to Class A, B, and C motor homes.
To get your RV ready for storage, we offer the following tips.
- Drain All Tanks
Drain the fresh water holding tanks as well as the black and grey holding tanks.
- Drain the Water Heater
Remove the drain plug and open the pressure relief valve. Caution: Do not drain when the water is hot!
- Remove Food and Supplies
This seems an obvious, but even that forgotten bag of unopened chips can attract bugs. In any case, food left for long periods of time will become moldy and/or inedible.
- Disconnect the Refrigerator and Leave the Door Open
Leaving the refrigerator door open prevents stale air and condensation.
- Use RV-Approved Non-Toxic Anti-freeze
To keep your pipes from freezing during frigid weather use RV-approved, non-toxic anti-freeze so that you don’t poison your water.
- Pressurize Your System
Start with the faucet closest to the water pump and slowly open the hot and then the cold valves until the anti-freeze appears.
- Cover External Vents to Prevent Pests
Don’t let your RV become a home for pests during an extended storage time.
- Check Roof Condition
Repair any holes or damage to your roof.
- Coat Your RV With Wax
If you give your RV a coat of wax prior to storage, it will not only look brighter the next time your ready to use it, but it provides an added layer of protection from the weather.
Pinnacle Storage offers unsurpassed RV storage!!
- Years of experience storing recreational vehicles
- Both covered and uncovered storage
- Personalized electronic gate code access
- 24-hour video monitoring
- Fully fenced, gated and lighted property
- Extended access hours
- On site and resident management
When it’s time to take your boat out of the water for winter, there are a few things that you need to know. It’s not as simple as pulling it out of the water and hauling it to your storage facility. Frigid weather and/or long periods of storage can result in expensive repairs and unnecessary maintenance.
Here is a list of steps you can take to ensure that your boat is ready for storage.
- Clean the Hull and Deck
You’ll be storing your boat for an entire season. You want it clean and free of last summer’s trash when you are ready to put it in the water next summer.
- Add a Fuel Stabilizer and Fill the Tank
Condensation can form in an empty gas tank, causing corrosion or worse if the moisture freezes. Fuel stabilizer will prevent this from happening and your fuel will be ready to go when you are.
- Change the Oil
Water or acids that have gotten into your oil can corrode the engine. Change the filter and flush it out so that no water remains. Then, add new oil
- Refresh the Coolant System
Drain the current coolant, flush with water, and fill with fresh antifreeze. Make sure you’ve diluted the antifreeze to specification. This will protect your engine from freezing and corrosion.
- Disconnect the Battery
Don’t allow your battery to drain over the winter. Disconnect it and top it off with distilled water. Charge is periodically to make sure it’s ready to go when you hook it back up to your boat.
- Grease the Steering Mechanism
Grease the steering and control mechanisms so that they will be moving smoothly when it’s time to take the boat out again.
- Remove the Drive Belts
Before storing your boat, loosen or remove the drive belts. They may crack under the stress of being kept under tension for long periods of time.
- Maintain the Interior of Your Boat
If you have electronics in your boat, they are vulnerable to extreme cold and moisture. Remove them prior to storage. Leather, canvas, and any other organic fabrics should be removed to prevent mold and mildew. Empty the water tanks and run antifreeze through the pipes.
- Wash and Wax the Exterior
Cover the body of your boat with wax. This will prevent rust from corroding your boat’s body and is particularly important if you are storing your boat outside.
- Use A Cover
A cover will protect your boat from dirt, dust, grime, and moisture.
Storage Plus is a convenient, affordable, and dependable facility to not only store, but protect, your boat.
Covered or Indoor Storage
- Your boat is protected from the elements and requires less preparation
- Monitored security
- Extended access hours
- Personalized electronic gate code
Uncovered or Outdoor Storage
- More affordable alternative
- Boat must be covered
- Fully fenced, gated and lighted property
- Monitored security
- Personalized electronic gate code