How to get your RV ready for summer

While we love living in Canada, unfortunately we don’t have year-round summer. For those who love getting outside, there are usually only a few weeks or months to enjoy your toys. Whether you have an RV or watercraft, you probably have to store it away all winter.

Without regular use, a couple of idle months can mean some cleaning and maintenance when you bring vehicles out of hibernation. Most RV owners–especially in Alberta or northern BC–will winterize their motorhome before putting it away.

Whether yours has been in a storage unit or sitting covered in your driveway, there are many things to do before you start the engine. It should go without saying, but never start the engine in a non-ventilated space like a garage or storage locker.

While this isn’t a comprehensive ‘RV summer prep’ list, it’s a good place to start:

Water

• Fill the fresh water tank and make sure taps are closed
• If you have a hot water bypass, set the valve to ‘normal’
• Turn on the taps and flush the toilet until the antifreeze is out of your water lines
• Connect to a municipal water source
• Check around faucets, pipes and other water lines (including cupboards) for leaks
• Fill the hot water tank and test your heater
• Make sure your sewer hose is free from tears and holes

Electricity

• Start up the generator and let it run for a few minutes
• Check lights (interior and exterior), appliances, and any other electrical equipment
• Turn off all power and inspect the battery (use gloves)
• If it’s been awhile, have a professional test the battery

Tires

• Check the pressure and make sure it follows the recommendations in your owner’s manual
• Make sure the tread isn’t worn down
• Look for irregularities, cracks, and uneven wear

Fluids

• Turn everything off, including appliances that use liquid propane
• Check fluid levels under the hood (transmission fluid, engine coolant, generator oil, etc.)
• With your leak detector turned on, open the propane valves
• See if you smell gas, and use a mixture of soap and water for visual signs of a leak
• If everything is in working order, test your propane-fuelled appliances

Exterior

• Check caulking around roof, windows and doors to make sure there are no holes or leaks
• Seal cracks or holes if necessary
• Open any awnings or extensions and make sure everything is working smoothly
• Wipe or hose off dirt and spiderwebs

Interior

• Clean dust and dirt from all surfaces including the kitchen and bathroom
• Wipe down the inside of the fridge and the burners
• Vacuum if you have carpet
• Make sure your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working
• Make sure your fire extinguisher is up to date
• Put back linens and pillows (or wash any linens you left in the RV)

Looking for a place to store your boat or RV after the summer? Check out our unit sizes here.