If you’re planning to escape the cold winter weather and head out in your RV, there are a few things you must to do before you fire it up and head south. Read on to get some tips to make sure your winter trip is fun, warm, and most of all, safe.
Cosmetic Check
Take a full accounting of every square inch of your RV, especially if it’s been in storage all summer. Check the roof access ladder, the slide-open tops, the TV antenna. Look at the solar panels and make sure everything is secured. Make sure all of the windows open easily, and unroll the awning and check for holes. Fix anything you see that needs it. Check the blinds and make sure they’re in working order.
Also, wash and wax the RV. While you’re doing that, you can keep an eye out for any issues you missed the first time around.
Tires
Check your tires!! The average life of an RV tire is about 6 years, but there are countless factors that can shorten that life, so make sure you inspect these carefully each and every season. Be sure they’re properly inflated and the tread isn’t worn down. Check the jack, too. It should be lubricated and working properly. Test your alignment. You don’t want to fight your RV for control on the road.
Safety First
Other things to check before you leave for the winter include the plumbing, the electrical system, the AC power system, the sewage system, and all of your safety features including the fire alarm, CO sensor, propane detector, and the fire extinguishers. Test the brakes! The time to discover there’s an issue with the brakes is while you’re checking them before you leave on your trip, not in the middle of it.
If your RV is the type to be hauled behind a truck, make sure you check the engine and tires of the truck as well.
Closing Thoughts
Spending the winters tooling around the warmer parts of the country in your RV is a fantastic way to avoid snow and ice. Before you leave, make sure your RV is up to the task, and have a cold-weather-free winter!