RV Preparation for Winter Storage

by | Oct 21, 2026 | Seasonal Tips

An RV on the road in a scenic location.

By Hidden Acres RV & Boat Storage – Secure and affordable RV storage serving Ottawa and Eastern Ontario. Private location for your year-round storage needs along with 24/7 camera surveillance. If you have any comments or your own preparation tips, please email to [email protected].

How to prepare your RV for outdoor winter storage:

Preparing your RV for winter storage includes some key steps that if followed correctly, will protect your vehicle while it’s sitting unused for the season.

An RV parked in snow for the winter

Remove batteries

I prefer to remove batteries and store them indoors.  During the winter, I connect a battery charger to top up the charge and once again in the Spring before putting them back in the RV.  Some RV owners keep their batteries in place – if so, I suggest you disconnect the leads in case you have a slow electrical leak resulting in your battery being discharged.

Shut off Propane Tanks

Propane is not harmed by freezing temperatures so they can be left in place outside your RV.  Please ensure the valves are completely closed.  If you do choose to remove your propane tanks, never store them indoors as they could cause a safety and explosion hazard.

A cover on an air conditioning unit for an RV

Cover your Air Conditioner

You do not strictly need to cover your RV roof air conditioner during winter storage as the unit is designed to handle outdoor weather.  However, I recommend a cover to protect against snow/ice buildup and any airborne dirt/debris.  The covers are inexpensive, but you should measure your AC before ordering to ensure a snug fit and a drawstring to keep any pests out.

Winterize your plumbing system

The water remaining in your RV plumbing system needs to be replaced with an antifreeze solution.  Not everyone is comfortable doing this themselves so your RV dealer can do this for you.  If you do it yourself, the steps are as follows:

      • Winter proof water system antifreezeBe sure to buy minimum 4L container of antifreeze that is specifically designed for water systems (I use Winter Proof – a Canadian brand).
      • Drain all water lines and water/waste tanks.
      • Remove the anode from the hot water tank and allow it to drain. I leave the anode out for the winter and put it back in in the Spring.
      • Isolate the hot water tank from the rest of the piping by closing the valve. There is no need to put antifreeze in the hot water tank and it will be hard to flush completely in the Spring.
      • Disconnect the RV water pump suction and, if needed, add a piece of tubing to allow the pump to suction the antifreeze directly from the antifreeze container. This method is much easier than trying to blow out the plumbing system with compressed air and using a separate pump to fill your system with antifreeze.  This also helps it become a one-person job!
      • Start your pump. Open each tap in the kitchen and bathroom one at a time until the pink antifreeze flows out.  I leave the pump suction tubing loose and use the pump in the Spring to flush the piping system with fresh water from a pail, then reconnect to the water system.

Mouse Protection

Two products recommended to deter rodentsHidden Acres RV & Boat Storage’s parking surface is packed road grindings on bedrock – reducing the risk of mice. Most clients use the traditional ‘Bounce’ dryer sheets placed in cupboards, drawers, floors, under seats and storage/engine compartments. The chemical in Bounce lasts about 6 months so you should buy fresh sheets every year.

Others use various combinations of peppermint, cinnamon and even castor oil and cedarwood. I use a Canadian product called ‘Rodents Away’ (Amazon). It is odor free and provides a little extra protection to my Bounce sheets. Place the bags on the floor throughout the RV.  Also – don’t forget to remove ALL packaged food from your trailer!

 

An RV in winter with wheel covers in placeCover RV Wheels

You should cover your RV wheels during outdoor winter storage to protect the rubber from UV damage. Winter sun and snow reflection can degrade rubber compounds and cause premature sidewall cracking. It is recommended to inflate tires to the manufacturer’s cold pressure before storing to minimize ‘flat-spotting’.

 

 

Cover Tongue Jack Control

You should cover the control box that raises and lowers the tongue jack.  Moisture and dirt can enter around the switches.  If you use upside-down buckets, plastic shopping bags, etc, please make sure they are tied down otherwise the wind will blow them off.  I prefer the cover as shown in the photo (Amazon) which allows the tow vehicle connector to be tucked inside with a drawstring, and D-rings on the outside to hang your security chains to keep them off the ground.