Camper Storage: How to Keep Your RV Safe from the Elements
Camper Storage: How to Keep Your RV Safe from the Elements
We must treat our Campers to a safe and secure storage area, preferably indoors, or we would quickly notice how the elements deteriorate the roof, paint, and exterior. Storage facilities provide us with the perfect space and security that we want for our rig. Titan Storage offers RV storage in Spanish Fort AL which is close to home and relied on by many of your neighbors.
What do we need to do to get our rig ready for storage? Let us take a closer look at the details so that we can be ready to rock.
Why Store Your RV?
RVs are great, aren't they? They are our homes on wheels, our key to a smooth getaway, and a ticket to freedom. What they are not is compact and easy to store at home.
Most Campers are too tall to fit in a standard garage, not to mention too long. Even if we have the room to store our RV at home, some neighborhoods do not allow residents to park it on their property. Utilizing a storage facility is a clever way to have a secure location for our rig that provides greater peace of mind than leaving it at home when you go to work or on vacation.
Types of Storage
RV storage facilities are available in a couple of styles. Which type RV owners choose are usually based on availability, budget, and personal preferences.
Each offers some benefits, but only enclosed units offer full protection from the elements and unrivaled security. The most affordable, and most common RV storage is an outdoor storage yard. Typically secured by only a fence, outdoor camper storage yards lack any protection from the elements. Indoor storage offers protection from the elements to an extent, but only climate-controlled units will provide total protection. As such, the most desirable type of camper storage is individual climate-controlled indoor units.
Storage Security
RVs are a major investment of money, time, and emotional attachment. We need to know that our rigs are safe and secure at all times, but especially when we are not around to keep an eye on them. Camper storage that has top-notch security 24/7 is a major selling point. Gated access, multiple cameras (preferably night-vision equipped), and a location that is well lit are just a few of the security features to look for.
RV Covers
Covers for RV's protect it from the direct sunlight and dirt that could damage it, or otherwise, make it dusty and dirty. Not all RV covers are created equal.
RV covers should fit properly, which requires careful measuring. RV owners say that covers with openings near their doors are the best that way they can easily get in and out without having to remove the entire cover to do so.
Enlist the help of someone else to properly put on the RV cover, making sure that we do not damage either the cover or the RV in the process. Be sure to lower any antenna before covering, and to crack the roof vent to allow a bit of airflow. And while a cover offers some protection it doesn’t protect it from everything mother nature can throw at it like enclosed camper storage does.
RV Roof Cover Tarp
The roof of an RV is one of the major components that are susceptible to damage from the elements. Sun, snow, rain, bird droppings, and random debris in the air can all play a part in deteriorating the roof. At a certain age, RVs need to get their roof resealed (annually preferably), failing to cover the roof can age an RV before its time leading to cracks and leaks. However, an RV kept indoors will extend the life of the roof immeasurably.
Tire Covers
RV tire covers are used to protect the rubber from sun and wind damage while the RV is parked, covers also protect them from dirt and debris settling on the tires and rims. These are not necessary if our RV is stored on a concrete pad indoors.
In addition to covering the tires, filling them with air before storage is a good idea. If you have any slow leaks, repair them, or replace the tires before storage to prevent the tire from deflating completely, leaving you stuck with having to get it fixed before pulling it out of storage.
Windshield Cover
A cover for an RV windshield is used to keep the inside cool when the sun is beating down. A windshield cover is also for privacy and security because it keeps prying eyes out as people are walking by. This cover is not necessary when using a full-sized RV cover that goes over the entire rig, and even less so when its indoor camper storage.
Battery Protection
When putting an RV in storage for any length of time, we will want to protect the life of our batteries. This includes the batteries under the hood and the "house" batteries that power the cabin of our rig. Remove batteries and hook them up to a trickle charger to prevent them from draining completely. Some RVs make it simple to plug in to an outlet and charge the batteries without having to remove them. You should always keep your batteries charged because deep-cycle batteries will go bad if they are allowed to drain completely.
Winterizing Your RV
Will you store your rig outdoors through the winter months? Protecting the pipes from freezing is a top priority, which is why we winterize them.
Freezing temperatures affect several pipes and lines that liquids flow through and should be drained and treated before storage. If this is not done, the liquid in them could freeze creating costly damages and big messes. You should have the oil changed, fuel stabilizer added, and deep clean your as steps for winterizing it before storage.
Tank Treatments
Do not forget to drain RV tanks before storing them! Drain freshwater holding tanks to prevent freezing. Always empty your grey and black tanks before letting them sit in storage, otherwise you will return to a stinky and nasty camper.
Pest Control
RV pest control is something that we should be thinking about at all times but is especially important when the rig will be locked up and unattended for any length of time. Sealing up cracks and storage compartments where pests might get in is key.
Remove any food items that may attract rodents and insects. Set traps for those that somehow get inside. If we do not set traps for them, they may end up setting up camp and reproducing in our home on wheels- and no one wants them as roommates.
Deep Cleaning
We can do our future self a favor, and deep clean our RVs before putting it into storage. Interior cleaning clears away dirt and traces of a great camping season. Deep cleaning gives you a chance to take out any items that you will need before locking them up and walking away for several months.
Wash every surface, wipe down the windows, clean up the kitchen and bathroom, and clean the floors so that your rig just needs a light dusting to be ready for the next season.
Popping in for a Check-Up
Even after a rigorous and thorough checklist of prepping your RV for storage, a check-up during that time is always a good idea. There is no need to waste time going to the storage facility every week, but every couple of weeks should be sufficient.
During a check-up, you want to be sure that everything you have done during prep is holding up. Use this time to also peek at the pest traps and replace them if they have caught anything.
RV Storage in Spanish Fort, AL
An indoor storage facility is the best choice for our beloved RVs in the offseason, while away on vacation, or just to have a safe place for it. Keep it close to home with a company that is reliable and trusted. Reach out to the folks at Titan Storage for RV Storage Spanish Fort AL to reserve a spot today!
