Your RV has been patiently waiting for months, and now winter has retreated in favour of warmer weather. Thousands of Canadian RVers will be on the roads this season. But don’t drive off just yet — you need to do some due diligence first.
We’ve put together some steps for you to follow. If you’re uncomfortable with any item on this list, or you just want to make sure it’s done correctly, call your friends at GNR Camping World.
Check Your RV’s Exterior
- Wash and wax the exterior of your rig, and then inspect the roof for any signs of damage. Once your rig has dried, seal any damaged spots with a sealant.
- Check plumbing, electrical wiring, and gas lines for damage.
- Make sure body seams and window and door seals are tight and free of damage.
Check Your Tires
Use an air inflation gauge to check your tire pressure — tires normally lose about 2 or 3 psi per month of winter storage. Inflate them to manufacturer guidelines to avoid blowouts and other damage.
Flush Your Water System
Your RV should have antifreeze still in the system from when you winterized. It’s time to flush it out. Make sure all your faucets are closed, reconnect all water lines, and connect to a city water source.
Run all faucets and water sources inside and outside your RV — including hot water and cold water — until the pink or the foam of the antifreeze disappears and the water runs clean. Fill your fresh water tank with enough water to flush again and repeat.
Sanitize Your Water System
Mix a bleach solution of 1 part household bleach to 15 parts water. Pour a gallon of the mixture into the tank and let it sit for 8 to 12 hours. Drain, fill up with fresh water and run each faucet until you don’t smell bleach. Drain the rest of the water from your tank. If you still smell bleach, repeat the process again.
Charge Your Battery
Once you’ve taken your battery out of storage, take a moment to inspect it. Use rubber gloves and eye protection in case of leaks — battery acid is highly corrosive.
If you discover any cracks, the battery will need replacing. Otherwise, clean the terminals with hot water and baking soda to prevent corrosion. Check water levels — if it’s below the plates, top it off with distilled water. Then reinstall your battery and connect your RV to a receptacle to recharge.
Check Your Propane Tanks
Inspect your propane system’s hoses and seals for any cracks, dried-out portions, or other damage. Turn off all your propane-powered appliances and turn on your RV’s propane leak detector.
Open the valve on your tank all the way and sniff for evidence of propane leakage. You can also apply soapy water to the regulator and valve — bubbles are a good indication that you have got a leak.
If all is clear, turn on your propane-powered appliances and let each one run for a bit. Then check if they work in LP mode.
Check Your Generator
Check your generator’s oil level and top off if necessary.
Inspect the exhaust system before testing. Never run a generator with a damaged exhaust system. If there are no signs of damage, get it running and test it by turning on the A/C.
This will be a large chunk of your de-winterizing work, but keep in mind that it isn’t an exhaustive list. For comprehensive RV de-winterizing services, call GNR Camping World.
