Whether it’s a motorhome, travel trailer, or tiny camper van in your driveway, don’t leave your rig out in the cold as the weather turns. Here’s a quick guide on how to prep your RV for the quickly approaching fall season.
RV Autumn Maintenance Tips
It’s important to give your rig the proper attention it needs before you say goodbye to it for several months. After all, keeping up with your RV’s maintenance requirements helps ensure it’ll live a long, adventure-filled life. It can also save you both money and the headache of dealing with service mechanics.
Take the opportunity at the end of the summer to double-check all your rig’s systems. Change the oil, check all the filters, and do a thorough search for any signs of water damage (which, ideally, you should be doing after every single camping trip anyway). If you put your rig away with issues you don’t know about, you could face a nasty surprise the next time you take it out for a camping trip — one that could postpone or even cancel your travels.
It’s also a good idea to check your RV’s tires for pressure and tread, as well as to give the fresh and wastewater-holding tanks a thorough cleaning (here’s how).
In fact, you’ll probably want to give your entire rig a good cleaning, inside and out, before you store it for any length of time. Although it might collect some dust when stored, cleaning your rig will help prevent the musty, mildewy scent that can build up when it’s not in use. Plus, a dusty rig is a lot better than one with moldy leftovers in the fridge and muddy footprints on the carpet.
To keep your rig in shipshape during autumn and year-round, check out our preventative maintenance guide. You know the saying — an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That’s certainly the case when it comes to RVing, especially considering the cost of professional service for even minor repairs and issues.
How to Prepare RV for Storage
Aside from checking all your rig’s systems and cleaning the cabin, exterior, fridge, bathroom, and tanks, there are a few other steps to prepare your RV for storage, especially during the fall season.
First of all, remember that it’s called “fall” for a reason. A whole lot of leaves and debris are about to come tumbling from the sky, and ideally, you don’t want them landing on the roof of your rig!
Bird droppings, tree sap, twigs, branches, and even leaves can create a sticky and stubborn mess that’s difficult to clean up after it’s been sitting for a while. And when you do try to dislodge the goop from your RV’s roof, you can bring the finish off with it, which can contribute to roof damage and water leakage.
So when you store your RV for a longer period of time, whether it’s the fall and winter season, or just for a few weeks, it’s a really good idea to invest in a sturdy RV cover, or to find a garage or other building in which to store it.
By keeping your rig shielded from the elements, you’ll help its roof and seals last longer, and also extend the life of that nice, shiny paint job and finish. Many quality RV covers even boast UV protection, which adds an extra layer of protection.
Finally, keep in mind that if you’re planning to store your RV well into autumn or winter, you may face freezing temperatures… which means you do NOT want water in your holding tanks and pipes. Just like in a house, that water can freeze and expand, wrecking your RV’s delicate plumbing and causing a huge mess (and expense!) for you to deal with later.
If you plan to store your RV, we have a guide to Understanding RV Storage Costs. We also share 8 Long-Term RV Storage Tips with AsoboLife and Different Options for RV Storage.
Fall RV Prep Checklist
Looking for a fall RV prep guide?
Here are the steps you shouldn’t miss.
Exterior Maintenance
Wash the outside of your RV, removing any debris and dirt. Clear the roof of any debris that may have landed there as well. Wax the exterior to protect against moisture and road salt. Inspect the roof, seams, and seals for cracks and leaks and repair as needed. Check the window and door weather stripping and replace any worn seals. Lubricate hinges, jacks, slide-outs, and awnings.
Plumbing and Water System
Drain fresh, gray, and black water tanks and flush them thoroughly. Add RV antifreeze to water lines, and a little to black and gray tanks to prevent them from freezing. Insulate any exposed pipes and fittings. Disconnect and store water hoses, or use heated hoses if you’re still traveling.
Batteries and Electrical
Test your house and engine batteries, clean the terminals, and check the voltage. Disconnect batteries or use a maintainer for storage. Check all interior and exterior lights, fuses, and circuit breakers. Test fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide detectors and replace any batteries that are needed.
Heating and Propane
Test the furnace and space heaters and clean dust from the vents. Check propane tanks, connections, and detectors for any leaks. Stock up on extra propane if you’re still using your RV, especially if you’ll be using it for heat.
Tires and Underbody
Inspect your tires for cracks, bulges, and tread depth and check tire pressure. Tighten lug nuts and check the condition of your spare tire. Clean and treat the undercarriage of your RV to prevent corrosion.
Interior Maintenance
Remove all your perishables, liquids, and anything that might be sensitive to freezing. Clean your interior thoroughly, vacuum, wipe down all surfaces, and air out fabrics. Organize and secure any loose items. Seal any entry points where rodents could get in and place repellents.
Storage
When you’re finished using your RV for the season, cover your tires and RV with breathable, fitted covers. Leave the cabinet doors, refrigerator, and freezer cracked open. Use moisture absorbers like DampRid to prevent mold and mildew. Check your stabilizers and leveling.
Still Traveling
If you’ll still be traveling, make sure you have tire chains, a shovel, a window scraper, and gloves stashed in your RV. Stock up on emergency food, bottled water, batteries, blankets, and roadside kit.
You can use this Printable Fall Checklist when you want to ready your RV for fall.
FAQS on Fall Prep for RVs
How do I prepare my RV for fall camping?
Here are some steps to take to prepare your RV for fall camping.
- Weatherproofing: Fall temperatures can drop, especially as you get later into the season. Make sure you have a good source of warmth and that you’re not losing any precious heat to the outdoors. Check seals and weatherstripping around the doors, windows, and slides to keep out drafts. Bring a space heater or a heated blanket for chilly evenings. You may even want to pack cold-rated sleeping bags, extra blankets, and extra clothing layers for cold nights. Finally, insulate your water hoses with heat tape or buy a heated hose, especially if temperatures will be below freezing.
- Water & Plumbing Prep: Keep your fresh water tank at least partially full if you suspect temps will dip below freezing overnight. Add RV-safe antifreeze to your gray and black holding tanks to prevent freezing in the pipes. Also, know where your low-point drains are in case you need to winterize your vehicle during your trip.
- Safety & Power: Test your batteries to make sure they’re fully charged and ready. Cold weather can drain batteries quicker, so consider a battery blanket. Bring extra propane, because furnaces and stoves use more fuel in colder weather as well. Pack emergency gear including a flashlight, a lantern, a first-aid kit, and jumper cables.
- Driving & Maintenance: Check your tire pressure, because cooler temperatures can lower your PSI. Top off fluids like oil, coolant, and windshield washer fluid. Inspect your brakes and wipers to make sure they’re in good, working condition. Have traction aids like tire chains or traction pads if you’re headed into the mountains.
- Camping Readiness: Verify the campground schedule where you plan to stay. Many public campgrounds close in mid-October, so make sure you check that the one you plan to stay in is open. Pack tarps, rugs, or mats because fall can be damp. These ground coverings can help keep mud, leaves, and debris out of your RV. Bring firewood for a cozy campfire if one is allowed at your site.
Do I need to winterize my RV before fall trips?
Usually, you don’t need to fully winterize your RV before fall trips unless you expect to be in consistent freezing temperatures. Early fall trips that only bring cool nights don’t require winterizing, especially if you’ll be actively using the RV, running the furnace, and keeping water flowing.
If your RV will sit unused for more than a week and temperatures are predicted to stay below freezing overnight, especially in mountain areas, you will want to winterize. During late fall camping when nights are consistently freezing, you may want to winterize if you won’t have hookups and can’t keep the furnace running.
You can also try a middle-ground approach if you don’t want to fully winterize. Use your fresh tank instead of a city water hookup, since that means less hose to freeze. Keep a heated water hose or disconnect and drain your hose at night. Add some RV antifreeze to gray and black tanks. Finally, keep your furnace on low overnight to protect your plumbing.
What maintenance should I do on my RV before cold weather?
Fall is a great time to perform some maintenance on your RV, and generally check that it’s ready for cold weather. If you’re planning to still camp and use your RV, you won’t want to completely winterize your RV so that it’s ready for storage. Here’s what to do, depending on how cold your environment is:
| Category | Fall Camping Prep (Still Using RV) | Full Winterization Storage (Not Using RV Until Spring) |
| Water & Plumbing | – Use heated water hose or disconnect nightly – Keep tanks partially full – Add antifreeze to drains & toilet for overnight protection | – Drain fresh, gray, and black tanks – Drain & bypass water heater – Blow out lines with air or fill with RV antifreeze – Run antifreeze into faucets, shower, toilet, and drains |
| Heat & Insulation | – Test furnace & clean vents – Bring electric space heater – Seal drafts with weatherstripping – Use heavy curtains or Reflectix in windows | Not needed (RV is in storage) |
| Exterior | – Inspect seals on roof, windows, doors – Cover tires if parked long-term – Carry snow brush/ice scraper | – Wash and wax exterior – Inspect & reseal roof and seams – Lubricate hinges, slides, locks – Cover tires & RV with breathable cover |
| Interior | – Remove perishables – Bring extra blankets/rugs – Add insulation to floors if needed | – Remove all food & toiletries – Clean thoroughly – Add moisture absorbers – Place rodent deterrents/traps – Prop fridge/freezer doors open |
| Propane & Power | – Check propane levels (higher use in cold) – Bring extension cord for heater – Test CO & smoke detectors | – Shut off propane & check lines – Disconnect batteries & store indoors (charge monthly) |
| Engine & Generator | – Ensure propane & batteries ready for use | – Fill fuel tank & add stabilizer – Change oil & filters – Run generator with stabilized fuel – Disconnect/store batteries |
| HVAC & Appliances | – Use furnace or space heater as needed | – Cover rooftop AC unit(s) – Prop fridge/freezer doors open |
How can I keep my RV warm on chilly nights?
Here are some practical ways to keep your RV warm on chilly fall nights:
- Heat: Your RV furnace is powerful and reliable, but it will burn through propane quickly. Make sure tanks are full and your vents are clean. You can also use an electric space heater to save on propane. A heated mattress pad or electric blanket are low-energy and can keep you cozy without heating your entire RV.
- Insulation: Use Reflectix, thermal curtains, or even bubble wrap cut to fit your windows and reduce heat loss. Check weatherstripping around your doors, and use vent cushions or covers to keep out cold air. Rugs and foam mats can warm cold floors as well.
- Moisture: Run a dehumidifier or use DampRid to keep out condensation, keep your RV warmer, and prevent mold.
- Other Tips: RV skirting can block cold air under your rig, making it warmer. If you’ll be in consistently freezing temperatures, use tank heaters to keep your tanks and pipes from freezing.
There you have it: Your rig is totally ready for autumn! (Unless, of course, you’re going on a fall camping trip — in which case, all you need to do to prepare is grab a few of your favorite warm blankets and a big jug of apple cider.)
