South Thompson's Guide to RV Winterization
It’s that time of year again, Canada! As the temperature dips below 7 degrees and the very first snowflake hits the ground, there’s a certain crispness in the air we know all too well. Winter is no longer coming – it’s officially arrived! And in the RV community, this time of year serves as a reminder to get your travel trailer, motorhome, or whatever you hauled around all summer ready for winterization. While winterization can be a time-consuming process, it's more than necessary to ensure your RV stays well-maintained in excellent condition during the off-season. Not entirely sure where to start? Fortunately, South Thompson RV has you covered with our comprehensive and informative guide to RV winterization.
Winterize Guide
There are a few ways to approach winterizing your RV: You can do it yourself, use a mobile RV maintenance company, or take your rig to a service centre like the experts at South Thompson RV.
How you winterize your RV will depend on a variety of factors like where you will be storing it—indoors, outdoors, or at a storage facility—and the climate you will be storing it in.
If you decide to do it yourself, here are some basic steps you can follow to winterize your camper, trailer, or fifth wheel.
Winterize Your Water System – Frozen pipes mean cracked pipes. To avoid freezing, fully winterize your water system with antifreeze. Each unit has specific water system winterization guidelines to follow in your owner’s manual. Larger RVs equipped with washing machines, dishwashers, and ice machines, will require a few extra water system winterization steps.
Remove All Batteries – turn off the RV’s disconnect and breaker switches. Store fully charged RV batteries in a warm, dry spot.
Protect RV Exterior – clean the exterior of your RV, patch cracks and split seams. Cover the entire surface with a good quality wax or protectant formula. Ensure that external vents and other entry points are covered and closed to prevent mice and other creatures from finding a home in your RV for the winter.
Clean And Dry Your Awning – this prevents moulding. The same goes for any trailers with fabric or canvas siding.
Remove, Clean, and Replace A/C Filters – clean the exterior of your air conditioning unit. Remove, clean, and replace air conditioner filters before storing for winter.
Service Locks And Hinges – lubricate your locks and hinges to avoid creaks, jams, and breaks in the spring.
Tidy And Clean The Interior – remove all clothing and blankets and store them at home. Leave all cushions and mattresses propped against a wall for optimal airflow.
Cover Your RV Wheels – if storing outside, covering your wheels will protect them from the winter elements.
Let South Thompson Winterize Your RV
Don’t have the time or patience to winterize your RV on your own? Save yourself the headache by booking your RV winterization services with South Thompson RV! Our service team has the tools and know-how to get the job done quickly and efficiently, helping to protect your trailer for the long haul. Give us a call, or come visit us at our Kamloops, British Columbia dealership, and ask about how we can help winterize your RV today!
