Prior to bringing your boat or RV in for long-term storage, there are several steps that need to be taken to prevent damage to your vehicle. With both vehicles, you will need to clean both the interior and exterior of your vehicle. With boats, it is important to scrub the outside and hose down the deck to get rid of lake and ocean water residue. In order to keep moisture out of your boat and RV, make sure to defrost your fridge and thoroughly clean it. Wipe down all hard surfaces with all-purpose cleaner and a cloth.

In terms of mechanical maintenance, you will need to make sure to drain your engine’s cooling system, change the oil. You will also need to remove your battery and keep it attached to a trickle charger to keep it charged while in storage. You will also want to close your exhaust port on your boat and drain all the tanks on your RV.

The last steps for preparing your RV for storage are to crack a roof vent or window to improve the airflow, shade the tires with tire covers, and seal up entry points to prevent mice from entering. Pay special attention to the plumbing on both types of vehicles during the winter months. Make sure to completely drain the water and add antifreeze.