Winter can be hard on all of us, and that goes for vehicles too! And while your car can usually hide out in a garage or even in a pop-up shelter to protect them from UV rays, snow, and ice, storing your RV, motorcycle & boat in the winter can be a little more difficult!
This can create several potential issues with outdoor storage as the cold weather and freezing temperatures wreak havoc on the paint job, the battery juice, and more. In this post, we’ll take a look at some important storage tips and things you can do to keep larger vehicles, warm and cozy as the nights start getting longer!
Tips for Storing Your RV, Motorcycle & Boat in the Winter
Drain the Water
Another reason that larger vehicles like boats tend to have a harder time in winter, is that they will often go for weeks or months without being used at all. That means that the battery and alternator can experience even more difficulty.
But on the plus side, it also gives you some more options for proper winterization of your boat and how you can prevent damage to your vehicle. For example, this means that you can drain the water systems as you aren’t likely to need them! This is even better than using lots of deicer and should ensure that your vehicle’s engine doesn’t freeze while it’s out of action in the winter months.
Depending on the vehicle you might want to refill the water system entirely with antifreeze. Consult the user’s manual before making any such decisions.
Cover the Vehicle
Your boat or RV should be able to withstand a little cold weather, but there are a number of factors that can mitigate this and cause issues. One of the biggest problems is that if you have any damaged or missing paint, then your chassis may have areas of exposed metal. This in turn can lead to rusting, and that is where the real trouble raises its head.
While your vehicle can bounce back from a lot of problems, getting rust on the body of the vehicle is often a problem that there’s no coming back from. To minimize this issue, use a proper motorcycle cover or boat cover. Use a big tarp or something similar to protect your RV.
Find Somewhere to Stay
Even better than using a tarpaulin is to find a place for your vehicle to stay. You have choices when it comes to boat storage or RV storage options. That might mean storing it in a hanger, a storage facility, or hiring a service to keep your vehicle safe and out of the way.
Failing that, it’s important to think about where you will be storing your boat or other vehicle on your property. As you likely won’t be using it for a long time, you should make sure it’s not going to get in your way and require constant moving. What’s more, is that you should keep it away from public access areas so as not to entice any potential thieves or vandals. The longer you leave something, the more of a temptation it becomes.
Lubricate and Grease
Imagine what your vehicle is going to feel like when you finally come to use it again and try to preempt that by doing everything you can to keep it healthy and safe over time. One important tip is to lubricate all moving parts: that means the steering system, control mechanisms, hinges, latches, linkages, and more. This will not only help your vehicle to feel healthy when you jump back into it, but it will prevent these from freezing over. That’s because the grease and oil will provide a protective layer that seals those parts against water. Because water won’t get into the mechanisms, that means that it won’t be able to freeze!
Cover and Close
Close any side mirrors, seal the exhaust ports, and make sure everything is locked. In short, you want to prevent pests or anything else from getting to the interior of your RV or boat. It’s time to shut up for winter!
Clark Storage – Best and Most Secured Storage Units in the Area
Our family business objective is to provide you with the best service and facilities in a secure location. As you get to know our facilities, you will note they were selected for your ease of access, location, and security. Please let us know how we can continue to improve your storage needs and fulfill your high expectations. We have storage units in Council Bluffs, Glenwood, and Pacific Junction. Contact us today. We are also offering a Move-In Referral Program, click here for more information.