Over the winter, your RV may have been sitting idle for months. When early signs of spring start to emerge, then probably, it is a good time to take your RV out of storage. There are some logical facts that you should be aware of and you need to check whether your RV is ready for another road adventure. You need to make a simple checklist to make sure that nothing is overlooked. The post-winter condition of your RV depends significantly on how you winterized it. You should flush the system with fresh water to make sure that antifreeze is removed. If you want to get good results, you will need a 12V water pump, so you can build up enough water pressure to flush the system. Then you need to re-install water filter cartridges that you have removed for storage. This is also a good time for you to properly sanitize the system. Make sure that drain plugs are installed and all drains are closed. For every 15 gallons of water, you should mix it with about a quarter cup of bleach. You should put the water-bleach solution into a one-gallon container, then pour into the holding tank for fresh water. Do this repeatedly until the holding tank is entirely full of water. Then turn the water pump on, wait for a while then open all faucets. After you start to smell the bleach, you need to close all the faucets. Wait for about one day, so the entire water system is exposed to the water-bleach solution. The next day, drain the bleach-filled water and refill the tank and then open all faucets to make sure all the pipe systems are flushed.
You should repeat the process until the system is properly flushed and you no longer smell bleach. When the pump is turned on and all faucets running, you should inspect the system for any sign of leak. You should be able to notice this when you find accumulated water. You should also check whether the toilet is still working properly. Because the body of your RV contract the most during very cold winter nights, you should check the seams, roof and windows sealants for any sign of cracks. Because it is sometimes rainy during spring, you should make sure that water won’t get into the interior. If you spot some cracks, you purchase good quality sealants. The awning should also be checked to make sure that it’s clean for debris and dust. Check the operation mechanism to make sure the awning is still working properly. Tires should also be checked for any sign of dry rot. All tires should be inflated to ensure that they reach the “cold” tire pressure level. It is also a good time to lubricate all moving parts, such as locks and hinges with spray lubricant. Before winter, you should already put protective covering or tape over LP gas vents, so small rodents and insects won’t sneak in. If you put mousetraps, you should remove them. Check all compartments and doors for any signs of water damage and rodent intrusions.
