How to Prepare Your RV for Summer Adventures

Spring is just around the bend, which means summer is right behind it. What’s better on a warm summer night than sitting around a campfire in a wide-open space under the stars? For many of us, that experience means getting our RV or camper out of storage and preparing it for warm weather adventures.

When you properly prepare your vehicle for summer use, you’ll be able to guarantee the safety of each passenger as well as prevent any issues on the road. Read below for an RV maintenance checklist to fully prepare your camper for summer fun.

RV Maintenance Checklist for Spring Preparation

• Check for any damage. During a long winter in storage, your vehicle may have sustained some damage. Go over both the exterior and interior of the camper to check for signs of visible damage. If you spot anything of concern, be sure to address it right away.
• Check the battery. If the battery was left in place during the winter, the cold may have caused damage. Check the battery to make sure it works properly. If you did remove the battery, reconnect it. However, if you’re not experienced with working on vehicle engines, consider asking a professional to reconnect it for you.
• Inspect all the fluid levels. Checking the fluid levels will ensure that your vehicle is in good working condition for the season. Be sure to check the brake fluid, engine coolant, power steering, generator oil, transmission and windshield wiper fluid.
• Flush the system with water. When you put your RV into storage for the winter, you likely ran antifreeze through the system to avoid freezing. Connect the hose to clean water and flush out the entire system until the water runs clear. Then flush the outside shower hose and freshwater tank as well. It’s imperative to get every trace of antifreeze out of the water system.
• Check the tires. Look for any signs of wear on the treads — the last thing you want is a blowout in the middle of a trip. To prevent this, thoroughly inspect each tire. Then fill the tires to the recommended PSI and recheck them for any signs of cracking or leaks.
• Inspect the vehicle seams. Because an RV has multiple seams, it has the capacity to leak. Check each seam for any signs of separation, cracking, wear or other damage. Patch any leaks with RV compatible sealant.
• Check all the safety equipment. Change the old batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with fresh ones. Then inspect your fire extinguisher to be sure it’s not expired and in good condition. These extra steps can give you peace of mind on the road and potentially help save lives.

Rely on Find Self Storage to Store Your RV after the Season

Due to the size of an RV, you likely won’t be able to keep your recreational vehicle on your property. That can make finding a proper and safe place to store your RV during the off season difficult. Should you find yourself in this situation, turn to Find Self Storage in Louisiana and Texas. Most of our locations offer RV storage parking for a safe way to keep your RV when you’re not out exploring.

Reserve your RV storage space with Find Self Storage today!