Many people who enjoy camping and being outdoors consider their RV to be their best camping companion. Those who spend their free time camping and marveling at the night sky may want to consider purchasing a recreational vehicle (RV).
It is well known that RV owners would extensively protect their prized vacation vehicles. Not everyone uses their RV daily or even weekly; therefore, most of them can be stored.
Also, it would help if you store RVs in a dry, weather-protected area. For that reason, consider the following options:
- Make Sure it is Covered
- Determine humidity
- Drain fluids from tanks
- Conduct regular pest and rodent inspections
- Double Check Functional Parts
1. Make Sure it is Covered
The RV could be damaged by sun, rain, wind, hail, and other elements. Also, extreme heat can melt plastic, decals, paint, and even interior parts. However, wet weather, especially when accompanied by cooler temperatures, can lead to cracks, dents, and even rot in some areas.
2. Determine Humidity
The vehicle and its interior can be damaged by too much or too little moisture. This is because mold can form in different places inside and outside the RV when there is too much humidity, and that dry weather can cause all the moisture to be sucked out of the RV.
Therefore, you must implement safety measures to protect RVs from moisture. It is recommended to install dampers inside the RV and increase ventilation outside.
Also, placing silica packs inside the RV is a cost effective technique to reduce humidity. On the other hand, a jug or bucket of water can be placed in the middle of the room to increase humidity while storing things.
3. Drain Fluids from Tanks
It is essential to completely empty the water tank and rubber hoses before putting the RV away after a trip. This is because standing water can accelerate the deterioration of your RV’s plastic and rubber components, especially in bad weather.
Overheating can cause the rubber or plastic to swell, and the pressure of the water can further deform the item. Water exposed to sub-zero temperatures can harden and damage any plastic or rubber connections you make.
4. Conduct Regular Pest & Rodent Inspections
There is a high risk of rat and insect infestation and external damage to RVs that are kept in storage or in parking lots for extended periods of time.
Water, heat, and cold can make it easier to get into the RV if it has been damaged to this extent by the elements. Insect and rodent infestations can damage your RV, making it more vulnerable to bad weather.
Inspecting the interior and exterior of the RV frequently and promptly removing and treating any evidence of infestation is an excellent strategy for preventing these types of infestations. When standard approaches are ineffective, it may be necessary to turn to professionals for help.
5. Double-Check Functional Parts
Be sure you have everything working properly in your RV before hitting the road. There are many components that make up a vehicle, including motors, wheels, oil, fluids, and electrical connections. In addition, they must be kept safe.
It is possible for extreme weather conditions to reduce tire pressure and compromise tire integrity. Water, extreme temperatures, and pressure can affect oil, just as they can affect other fluids. To keep your RV in good working order, you should inspect them frequently.
It’s not uncommon for the electrical system to become increasingly vulnerable to the elements as a result of rats or just normal wear and tear. Batteries can corrode if they are exposed to water or high temperatures, and they can solidify if they are exposed to low temperatures.
It is more likely that this system will last longer under adverse conditions if it is regularly maintained. Similarly to a car in a repair shop, RVs must undergo pre-trip and storage inspections to ensure everyone’s safety.
