If the cooler weather is starting to hit your area, it’s likely you’ve thought about your RV, Boat and Motorcycle storage during the colder months. Proper storage will have a significant impact on not only the appearance of your vehicle, but also on the reliability of all your gears and gadgets. Because all three are a huge financial investment and should be treated with extreme care, we’ve put together some cold weather tips for proper storage.
For Your Boat
- Choose the right storage location for your boat and make sure to cover it up!
- Change the oil and remove any water to avoid engine corrosion.
- Clean, dry and wax the boat.
- Fill the fuel tanks with gas and add a stabilizer to protect the engine from rust and corrosion.
- Grease and lubricate all the moving parts.
- Seal all exhaust ports or holes to prevent pests and small animals.
- For your boat’s battery, be sure to either completely charge and then disable it, or just remove all together to prevent it from draining during those colder months.
- Fill your boat’s system with a diluted anti-freeze solution for engine protection.
For Your Motorcycle
- Change the oil.
- Get your motorcycle looking all brand new and shiny by washing it thoroughly.
- Lubricate all the moving parts to prevent corrosion.
- Fully charge and remove the battery.
- Seal all the openings to prevent pests and small animals.
- Maintain proper levels of anti-freeze in the cooling system to avoid cracks.
- Fill up the gas tank and add a fuel stabilizer to protect the engine.
- For storage, make sure to keep your motorcycle in a warm, dry place while keeping the tires off the ground using a motorcycle stand. Be sure to rotate those tires after a few weeks! Use a motorcycle cover to avoid rust and corrosion.
For Your RV
- Get ready to deep clean your RV! Really clean both the exterior and interior and resealing any cracks, cover holes, etc..
- Completely drain your plumbing system because trace amounts of water can expand and freeze, resulting in damage. You can do this by either using a blowout plug and an air compressor, or by filling up the system with an anti-freeze solution meant for RVs.
- Fill the windshield washer and radiator with an anti-freeze to prevent damage in your tanks.
- Protect the tires by using outside or leveling jacks or just simply by removing them during the winter. Make sure to also inflate them to the proper pressure!
- Fully charge the battery, remove it and properly store for the winter. If you opt to not go that route, just fire up your RV once a month.
- For storage, make sure your RV is in a waterproof location. If your RV is outside, make sure to get a proper cover for it.
By taking the time to properly protect your investments while you’re not using them, you’re adding longevity to your property and preventing costly repairs in the future! Always be proactive, not reactive when it comes to your boat, RV or motorcycle.