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PREPARING THE MOTOR HOME
FOR LONG-TERM STORAGE
STORAGE CHECKLIST
The following checklists will help you perform the
steps necessary to prepare your motor home for
storage. Storage conditions vary, and several
checklists are provided: a) Short-term Storage Above
Freezing, b) Long-term Storage Above Freezing, c)
Winter Storage Below Freezing. Use the checklist that
applies to the storage conditions you anticipate. These
checklists can not include every detail required and
you may want to expand them to suit your needs.
Short-term Storage (Jess than 60 days)
Above Freezing
* Wash the motor home exterior and underside.
Hose off accumulations of mud and road salts.
Rinse the exterior weekly to remove accumula-
tions of dust and debris.
*
Inflate tires to maximum rated cold pressure.
*
Park the motor home as level as possible front
to rear and side to side. Block wheels front and
rear, and leave the parking brake OFF.
* Check the charge in both the vehicle and aux-
iliary· batteries with a hydrometer. Hydrometer
reading should be 1.255. Add colorless, odorless
drinking water it' necessary, and charge to a
reading of 1.255.
*
Remove battery cables. Clean terminals, top and
sides of batteries and battery boxes. Reinstall
cables, dress with a plastic ignition spray.
* Drain holding tanks, toilet, and living area water
systems. Turn off water pump and water heater
master switches.
*
Turn off LP gas at tank valve.
* Turn off refrigerator and furnace.
* Turn all range and oven burner valves and pilot
valves lif equipped) off.
* Remove all perishables from refrigerator and
galley cabinets. Block refrigerator open to reduce
odor truildup. An open box or tray of baking soda
in the refrigerator will help absorb odors.
*
Open closet doors, drawers, and cabinets so air
can circulate through them.
*
Slightly open one window toward the front and
one toward the back for ventilation.
*
Close all roof vents. Be sure vent fan and range
hood fan switches are off.
69
* Cover exterior vents Iwater heater, furnace,
range hood, refer to prevent insects from getting
in. Be sure to remove all covering material before
using appliances or vents.
*
Cap or close holding tank drain, city water inlet
and fresh water fill spout.
* Turn off all radios, TVs, interior and exterior
lights.
*
Close drapes and curtains.
*
Check motor home weekly. Start and run the
engine for about 15 minutes weekly. Check
engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant levels.
Long-term Storage Above Freezing
*
Perform all the preceding, except run engine to
normal operating temperature. Drain engine oil,
replace filter, refill engine with fresh oil. Operate
air conditioner to lubricate compressor seals.
*
Remove windshield wiper blades and store them.
inside the motor home.
*
Disconnect batteries and check charge ISpecific
Gravity) with a hydrometer ,every 30
day~"
Recharge if necessary.
'
*
Rather than run the engine every week, run the
engine every 30 days. Turn the vehicle air con-
ditioner ON during this run. Check fluid levels as
for Short-term Storage.
*
Shield tires from direct sunlight.
* Check tire inflation pressures every 30 days.
Maintain maximum rated cold inflation pressure.
*
Remove high grass or weed growth.
WINTERIZATION AND WINTER STORAGE
Winter in most parts of North America can be harsh,
and can take its toll on almost all types of vehicles
and equipment. The rigors of winter should not
discourage you from enjoying the RV life-style,
though. Thoughtful planning and preparation for the
winter season can help eliminate equipment failures
and breakdowns, and can extend the life of your motor
home and its systems.
Your dealer can advise you concerning specific
winterizaticn procedures and products for your climate
area or the areas through which you will be traveling.
Your dealer may also provide winterization service for
all appliances and systems in the motor home. Before
the winter traveling season starts, service the motor
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