With the cool weather beginning to settle in and snow just around the corner, it’s time to winterize your vehicle and leave it parked for the cold months ahead. Whether it’s your first winter season with an RV or your fifteenth, it’s always good to think about the next steps you need to take to make sure your travel vehicle is winter-ready.
Here are a few different avenues you may consider using to store your trailer this season:
RV Storage Unit
A hassle-free option for keeping your RV safe from the elements and stored away for the winter is renting an RV storage unit. GNR Camping World offers secure, fenced-in outdoor storage at a discounted price for members, and it includes a full winterization – which is a very important step to take before parking your trailer for the winter months!
On Your Property
Looking for alternative storage methods, particularly on your property? Whether this means on your driveway, in your yard, in your garage, or on your street is up to you. Keep in mind that there are some things to consider with this type of storage.
Garage
If you have a large enough garage or a smaller-class RV, you may just have the space to store it in there. Consider that this may mean parking your car in the driveway to make space for your RV, which will come with plugging it in and daily snow brushing. Despite that, using your garage for your RV may be a great option if you want to keep it on your property through the winter.
Driveway
The key to storing your RV in your driveway is to make sure you have a flat surface and not to keep it parked on a slope – that can lead to an uneven weight distribution, causing unnecessary strain on parts of your trailer. This may be a good alternative if you’d like to save a bit on storage costs, however it will require you to keep an eye on it and do a bit of manual labour to ensure the elements don’t cause too much damage. More on that below.
Yard/Street
If you don’t have a garage (or room to spare), or adequate space in your driveway, you might consider leaving your RV parked either in your yard or on your street. However, it’s imperative that you check your local by-laws before doing this, as you may get ticketed. Particularly in Winnipeg, recreational vehicles can only be parked on a street for up to 1 hour, and in a driveway between set dates (winter months not included). Vandalism is another concern if you have your vehicle stored near your house, however if you live in the country, you’re far less likely to experience this.
Tips for Outdoor Storage
No matter how you choose to store your RV or trailer this winter season, be sure to follow these important tips to keep it protected from the harsh elements and good-as-new come springtime.
- Did you know that a trailer cover can actually lead to extra wear and tear on your unit? Instead, invest in a cover for your A/C unit, spare tire and tires
- Wash and inflate your tires, and use tire covers to protect them from the elements
- Remove the battery and keep it stored inside so it doesn’t freeze
- Replace your liquids and coolants with winter-rated products
- Keep an eye on snow build-up on top of your RV; too much can dent and damage your roof
- Place wooden blocks under your tires or use lift jacks to remove pressure from them
Keep in mind: one of the most important things to do before storing your RV or trailer for the winter is to winterize it. If you’re not comfortable completing this yourself, bring it in to the experts to complete for you. This can be the difference between a running RV and one that needs repairs come springtime.
GNR Camping World’s experts can perform this service. Give us a call.
