When you own an RV, you’re in a perpetual state of planning. If you aren’t camping, you’re planning to camp. If you are camping, you’re planning your activities. If you’re out at activities, you’re planning for the upcoming meal. Planning for some may seem overwhelming or take the spontaneity out of life, but it’s careful planning that better ensures solid outcomes. Your RV unit is included in this planning, before, during, and after the season.
After the Season
Proper planning for your RV truly begins at the conclusion of the previous season. Whether you camp every weekend, the entire season until the campground closes down, or squeeze in a trip or two with the family, your RV will need some love and attention before being properly winterized. Clean out the RV, wiping down all surfaces and interior cabinets. Open the fridge if you have one, discard the food, and give it a thorough cleaning. In fact, clean any standing appliance completely. Sweep and vacuum the floor, rugs, and soft surfaces.
Remove anything from the RV that could attract pests, such as old food or even paper towels. Remove bedding and linens so that they can be washed and stored indoors – or in airtight containers stored in the RV – until next season. Bathrooms need a deep clean as well, and remember to remove any towels, rugs, or shower curtains to be washed.
Winterizing the RV includes emptying all the holding tanks, putting RV antifreeze through the water lines, draining and flushing the water heater (if you have one), evaluating fluid levels (if the RV has an engine), disconnecting the battery (if the RV has an engine), and storing everything in a preplanned location.
Before the Season
This is the time to evaluate and research any system upgrades and accessories that you would like to have for the upcoming season. Make a plan as to what you would like, pricing, and timing of installation. As an RV owner, it’s important to keep a record of your RV’s maintenance. Check it out and see what standard maintenance is coming up – new tires, service, oil change. This will depend on whether you have a motorized RV or a towable RV. Plan on other maintenance you may have noticed needed to be done toward the end of the season, and make it a priority to get it done for the upcoming season.
Once it’s warm enough outside, it’s time to get the RV out of its hibernation. Air out the RV, clean the exterior and roof completely using a recommended cleaning agent (check with your RV dealer) and soft cleaning materials. Check the interior for signs of water damage or visits from pests. Then, flush and sanitize the water system and check that everything still works – furnace, AC, fridge, battery, thermostat, lights, etc. Check out these spring cleaning tips.
Also important, make sure you have insurance and all the necessary paperwork prepared for the upcoming RV season. Update personal documents, including medications, a change of address, pet vaccinations, etc., and store them in the proper place in the RV as well as digitally.
During the Season
It should be time to party, right? Well, for the most part. If you take care of your RV before and after the heaviest time of use, and keep up on regular maintenance, then you won’t have much to worry about when camping season finally comes around.
There is some regular upkeep during the season, however. For instance, checking the tire pressure and for signs of worn treads, checking roof seals routinely, managing the wastewater system, keeping the battery charged and the tanks full, lubricating seals, and taking care of your RV’s awning (like taking it down when it’s going to be windy).
Sometimes, however, things just happen. The best thing you can do is to know your RV’s systems and have the proper RV documentation handy. This will help you troubleshoot the problem and save a tech’s time if you need to get your RV serviced. Thanks to the internet and AI, you can find a lot of how-to information if it’s something you’re unfamiliar with and if you’re comfortable performing the work. If a problem does arise, don’t wait if you can help it. A small problem can turn into a big problem in a jiffy, or have implications that could make your camping vacation less than ideal.
Between Seasons
More RVers are choosing to RV during the fall and winter months. There are certain things that should be done if you’re planning on some cold-weather camping. First of all, you need to keep the interior of the RV warm. Make sure the RV is well-insulated, especially around gaps, cracks, seals, and windows. This will help your heating sources from being overutilized. Electric space heaters are perfect for warming up curtained or enclosed bedrooms for a comfortable sleep. Clean or replace air filters and test the thermostat. If your RV has a propane heater, check levels regularly and refill as necessary. There will be plenty of cold snaps, so you need to protect your RV’s water system. An RV skirt can help keep the undercarriage of the RV warmer. Wrap exposed water lines to help prevent freezing, and know how to drain the water lines if a deep or sustained cold snap is forecast. It might be a good idea to simply plan on using campground facilities for showering, toilets, and potable drinking water.