Toronto has one of the coldest winters in Canada. As such, people who own RVs should make sure that it is properly stored during the winter season. Here are just a few suggestions to help you with this goal if you are using a self storage unit in the Brampton area:
Enclose It
Obviously, a completely enclosed space will most protect your RV but a covered space also offers a significant amount of protection by keeping snow and debris from collecting on the vehicle. At a minimum, do not store the RV under a tree or other open space where birds tend to congregate.
Do a Tire Check
Tires should be inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended “maximum cold” pressure. Chocks should also be part of your plan as you will not be setting the emergency brake. Lastly, you should plan on moving the RV on a monthly basis to avoid creating flat spots in the tires.
Remove All Power Sources
Remove and properly store the main batteries – don’t forget that most of these will require minor maintenance while in storage. In addition, unplug all on board appliance, as you will probably be using “shore” power to periodically move the vehicle. Finally, remove any small batteries from clocks, gameboys or other minor appliances.
Cover the Vents
Insects and other pests are remarkably adept at finding any entrance into an RV. Ensure that the vents for the refrigerator, furnace and water heater are solidly sealed. In addition, remove all foodstuffs and LP tanks as they are just invitations for critters to invade. Lastly, place ant and mouse traps all around the vehicle as one final layer of defense.
Check the Fluids
It is not really practical to completely remove all the fuel from an RV going into storage. Instead, fill the tank and add a stabilizer for best results. In addition, change the oil and other fluids before storage to prevent any damage to the engine from accumulated acids and other contaminants.
Lubricate the Locks
This may seem like a minor point but dust and humidity will work their way into even the most tightly secured lock and gum up the works. It is no fun when you arrive next spring and cannot even get into the unit. A little WD-40 or graphite eliminates this problem for all intents and purpose.
As you can see, there are numerous items to attend to when storing an RV for the winter. Hopefully, these suggestions help and if you are looking for a self storage solution in the Brampton area, please visit us online at safestoragedepot.com.
