How to Prepare Your RV for Spring

With winter fading and spring approaching, it won't be long before you and your RV are back on the road where you both belong. But your RV has been sitting in storage for several weeks (or months) and isn't ready to head out on an adventure just yet. First, you'll need to go through the de-winterization process. We've created the following guide to getting your RV ready for spring. If you have any questions or need any assistance with the process, visit the experts at Carolina Coach & Marine. Our staff is happy to provide advice and our service department can get your camper repaired in no time. Our dealership is located in Claremont, North Carolina. We also proudly serve those in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Give Your RV an Inspection

Start by pulling your RV out of storage and looking over it. This first step helps you catch any issues that you need to address before your next trip. While you inspect your RV, take this time to air your rig out. Open up every door, window, cabinet, slide-out, and awning to get the stale air from storage out and get some fresh air flowing into your camper. While you open everything, listen for any squeaky hinges that need attention.

1. Inspect the Outside

Even if you washed your RV thoroughly before placing it in storage, there is likely built-up dust and grime from its time in storage. You'll want to clean this off before your next RV trip. Remember that the longer you wait to clean the gunk, the harder it will be to remove. Plus, leaving the caked-on grime can eventually lead to damage.

But before you give your RV a good clean, check the integrity of your camper. Inspect the roof for any cracking seams or sealant wearing away. Look at the sidewalls and corners for any gaps or holes.

2. Inspect the Inside

Once the exterior passes inspection, the next step is to scope out the interior. Look over nooks and crannies to see if any pests set up shop over the cold winter months. See if you spot any signs of water damage. Test the appliances and lights to make sure everything works well.

DIY Maintenance

After you finish looking over your RV, the next phase is to tackle the various maintenance tasks. If you encounter something beyond your experience level or uncover a repair needing to be fixed, bring your RV to our service department.

3. Check Your Tires

Your RV's tires need to be inflated to the correct levels. Otherwise, they will struggle to perform well and can face a higher risk of a blowout. Measure the levels with a tire pressure gauge, then check the results against the manufacturer's recommendations. Then measure the tread to ensure it's not too worn down. Finally, look for cracks and other signs of damage.

4. Tend to the Battery

Look over your battery for any cracks, which can occur when temperatures drop. If your battery is free of damage, then you can disconnect it, clean the connections, check the fluid levels, then charge it.

5. Check the Fluid Levels

Make sure your RV has enough fluids for the next journey. Check the levels of your brake fluids, windshield fluids, and antifreeze/coolant. Top off anything that's low. If your RV has a generator, be sure to check on the oil and filters.

6. Tend to the Water System

Drain your fresh water tank and rinse it out. Then refill it with clean water and run your water pump. This will get the clean water back into your lines and help flush out any remaining antifreeze.

We hope you found this guide useful. If you want more advice or need to take your RV to a service department, head over to Carolina Coach & Marine. Our expert staff can assist you with whatever you need, from answering questions to repairing your RV. Whatever you need, you can find it with us. We are based in Claremont, North Carolina, and we also serve those in Charlotte and Winston-Salem.