winterization

Winter RV Storage: Five Places to Check For Leaks

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Winter came rolled into Colorado with a vengeance in November, and we’ll certainly reach the single digits many more times this summer. Perhaps you have done your yearly winterization of the fresh water system, but have you inspected your RV for spots where water and ice can drip and accumulate?

Save yourself future repairs, and inspect your RV for any cracks in these common areas to prevent freeze and water damage when storing your RV in the off season.

Icicles

1. Depressions in roof that cause water to pool
-Rubber Roof Top Coat
-Park on chalks for storage that allow a slight angle for water to drip away, make sure roof seams are well sealed, so water doesn’t drip through into the RV

2. Seals around roof vents, antennas, air conditioning or satellite units

3. Roof seams

4. Trimming around windows and doors

5. Gaskets around running lights and attachments on the exterior sides to prevent leaks into the walls

Winterize Your Boat for Winter Storage

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October in Colorado often brings the early dips in temperature.  If your boat has a fresh water system, now is the time to get it winterized, if you haven’t done so already.  The process will take less than an hour, but will save you hours of frustration finding and repairing ruptured lines, should water freeze in any of the lines without proper winterization.

frozen snowflakePrior to getting started on winterizing your boat, you will need to get some boat & RV antifreeze.

According to West Marine, “the burst point of PVC pipes used in most drinking water systems is about -10°F (-23°C). When winterizing water systems in regions where temperatures can fall below -10°F (-23°C), we recommend using West Marine Pure Oceans -100°F (-73°C) Marine Antifreeze.”

The -50°F Engine & Water System Antifreeze is suitable for Colorado as it “provides burst protection to -50°F (-46°C) and freeze protection within a range of +12°F to +16°F (-11°C to -9°C)” (West Marine).

If this is the first winter with your boat, or haven’t taken on the task of winterizing your boat for winter storage, we found this popular winterizing video instruction on YouTube (if you find it helpful, be sure to give it a thumbs up on YouTube!).

Once your boat’s fresh water system is winterized, you can cover it up and store it away for winter, until late spring or summer.  If you’re in need of the space in your driveway and can’t store your boat at your home, please give us a call at 303-219-4787, for a competitive storage rate based on the size of your boat, that you need to put in storage for the winter.

10 Reminders for De-winterizing Your RV

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Memorial weekend is just a couple weeks away to ring in summer fun and adventures.  If summer means a week on the open road with your family in an RV, then it’s time to start de-winterizing your RV in preparation.

Save time and frustration while on your summer vacation by following steps for de-winterizing your RV

  1. Remove furnace and refrigerator vent covers
  2. Fully charge batteries if you removed them when winterizing
  3. Flush out the plumbing with fresh water to remove antifreeze
  4. Test brake lights and turn signals
  5. Check that the tires are at their proper inflation
  6. Use soapy water to check that propane tank connections are tight
  7. Clean off and re-lubricate the hitch on camper trailers and 5th wheel trailers
  8. Give a thorough inspection that there are no leaks that could allow bugs, mice, or water through.
  9. Test furnace and hot water heater that they are functioning normally
  10. Inspect the chassis, use grease as needed. Repack wheel bearings as needed

Have other tips for de-winterizing your RV? Please share in the comments below.