Things to Consider When De-Winterizing Your RV
When you think of getting ready for a camping trip, you think of all the camping equipment and camping accessories you need for your voyage. However, you also need to consider your RV. If this is the first time using it since before winter, you'll need to de-winterize it to get it ready for your adventure. Fortunately, when you know a few tips, it makes it easier to go about the process.
Battery Care
If you uninstalled your batteries before the winter, you'll need to reinstall them. On the other hand, if your batteries remained inside the terminals, you'll need to remove them. Next, you clean the terminals and can reinstall them.
If you didn't keep your batteries on a charger, you'll need to connect them correctly and let them charge completely, which means placing them on the charger overnight.
Getting Your Plumbing Ready
Over the winter, you protect your plumbing against the wrath of cold temperatures. Not to mention, you're not using it over that time, so you'll have some work to get it ready. For one, you'll need to remove the antifreeze. Make sure you never dispose of it on the ground.
Another part of getting your RV plumbing ready is to sanitize the system. You can run bleach and water through the system to accomplish this. You'll need to run clean water through the system. As you do, turn on your shower and all faucets until they run and no longer smell like bleach.
Finally, refill your water tank.
Checking and Preparing Your Generator
Next, you should check your generator to ensure it's working properly. You may do so by turning it on. Make sure you connect something, such as the AC, that takes a great deal of power to run. If you notice that it's not functioning, you'll need to visit a professional.
After you need to check the oil. Be sure it's at the proper level to extend the life of your generator as much as possible. If you run it without enough oil, you won't lubricate the system enough, which could cause your system to fail prematurely.
Also, consider ordering a generator cover so you can protect your generator and dampen the sound when you’re camping.
Tire Check
When your vehicle is sitting without running and in the cold, your tires may lose air. Therefore, you need to evaluate them before you hit the road again. If the tires look low, you'll need to put air in them before you drive on them again.
Additionally, you should check the tires for any cracks or other visible signs of damage. If you notice any damage, patch or replace the tire accordingly.
Clean the Exterior
Since it's warming up, you'll want to wash the outside of your RV before you take it on the road again. Simply wiping off any visible dirt and hosing it down is more than enough. However, you might want to take it to the car wash if you don't have a hose or would like a more comprehensive cleaning.
Clean the Interior
The final step to de-winterizing your RV is to get the interior prepped. This is the part of your RV where you spend time, meaning this is an essential step. Therefore, you need to clean it thoroughly. Remove any dust that accumulated over the last few months and get rid of any dead bugs or other debris that remained at the end of the season if you didn't clean it before you parked it. In addition, make it a point to remove any items you no longer need so you have room for all your camping accessories and camping equipment.
At this point, you should also check all your appliances and tanks. You want to make sure your appliances function, and your tanks have no leaks.
Owning an RV comes with its share of rewards, such as getting to explore and always having a place to stay during your ventures. However, it comes its share of work too, including winterizing and de-winterizing it. As you can see, though, with a few steps, you'll be ready for wherever the open road takes you. Just make sure you pack all your camping equipment and camping accessories!