It’s that time of year again, unfortunately. You’ve probably squeezed the last few RV trips out of your camper and now it’s time to put it in storage. We’re here to remind you that preparing your RV for storage requires some essential steps before wiping your hands and walking away. With the right kind of prep, you’ll come back to a camper that’s ready to hit the road when the weather warms up again!

To help you prep for this, Airstream of New Mexico has provided a winterization guide. You can also stop by our location in Albuquerque, New Mexico, near Santa Fe and Las Cruces, and we’ll help you with any additional questions you may have. 

Interior

Inside your RV, you’ll probably want to focus on simply pulling everything out that can’t stay in the camper over a long period of time. This includes food, both perishable and non, and anything that isn’t exclusively used in the camper. Even if you’re storing your RV relatively close to home, you don’t want to have to go in and out every time you need something that you left in there. You’ll also want to clean the interior so there’s no dirt and grime to continue festering while you’re away. Once you’re finished, double-check every inch for things you might have missed.

Guard Against Pests

You’re not consistently in your camper to check on things, pests can make their way into the walls and interior for shelter. To prevent this, you’ll want to check for cracks and holes—places where some of the bigger threats can wiggle their way through—and patch those holes. You can also set up traps before leaving, but don’t forget where they are when you return! 

Bonus tip: Once you deem your cabinets as anti-pest proof, leave them open to increase ventilation. 

Fridge and Other Appliances

Your appliances might need some special attention as well. For example, once you cut the power to your RV, your fridge will start to warm up, or defrost. As it does this, all the ice in the freezer will start to melt. Because of this, you’ll want to lay out some towels to prevent creating a mess and water damage. Check your owner’s manual for any additional advice on how to deal with your appliances before storage. 

Exterior

When you make your way outside, the best way you can prepare your RV for storage is to give it a thorough washing. Even if you’ve taken good care of it over the camping season, it’s a good idea to start the winter off right. Wash the whole thing, from top to bottom, including the roof and some of the hard-to-reach places you’re normally tempted to skip. This can prevent mold and mildew from growing on the outside of the camper. It can also be a great opportunity to check for any damages or repairs that need to be addressed before storage. 

Tires

When you’re getting ready to put the RV away, you’ll want a plan for your tires. Applying too much pressure to one part of your tire for too long can shorten its lifespan. We recommend either moving your RV periodically (in order to redistribute the pressure) or lift it off the ground, to eradicate the issue entirely. 

How and Where to Store Your RV

Once your RV is ready for storage, it’ll be time to figure out where to put it. If you’re lucky enough to have room on your property, then this is a no brainer. Ideally, an enclosed barn, garage, or other covered area is the best choice, as it’ll protect your camper from the elements. However, even your driveway or backyard is better (and more legal) than the street.

If these options aren’t available, then try looking for RV storage, like the kind you’ll find here at Airstream of New Mexico. It’ll cost a little more, but it’s a reliable storage method and hopefully nearby.

On that note, it might be time to stop by Airstream of New Mexico. Whether you want to ask about available storage, or if you want to check out our RVs for sale, visit us today and let us know how we can help you. We proudly serve Santa Fe and Las Cruces, New Mexico.