Summer is here, which means it’s time to remove those boats and RVs from winter storage and prepare for some great adventures this season. Before you hit the open highways and the high seas, it’s necessary to de-winterize your boat or RV and ensure those engines are ready to be fired up. The last thing you want when heading out for a long weekend on the lake is a failing engine or something else that ruins your fun plans.
Getting Your RV Ready for Summer
- Remove protective covers from the wheels, vents and the vehicle itself.
- Check the house and engine starting batteries and give them a good charge.
- Check tire inflation levels and open up the hood to inspect fluid levels.
- Give the entire exterior of your RV a good cleaning to start the summer right.
- Open the windows to ventilate the RV after months in storage.
- Wipe down all surfaces and look for any signs of leaks in the roof.
- Fire up the engine and test brake lights, headlights and turn signals.
As RVs are houses on wheels, you’ll need to consult your owner’s manual to make sure you have water, propane and electricity all set up and ready to go. You may want to test appliances and electronics before hitting the road — the kids may be disappointed if they can’t watch their favorite Pixar movie while driving across the country.
Does your RV have an awning, or will you be towing a car along for the ride this summer? If you’ll be hauling a car on your trip, confirm that the towing rig works properly. Check the connections and welds, checking for cracks. Safety chains should be crossed under the coupling and hooked. Inspect the hitch pieces for rust or damage and replace anything that is broken. If you have an awning, verify that the mechanisms are lubricated and working properly. You may consider coating your canvas awning with a UV-blocking solution to extend its lifespan.
De-Winterize and Prepare Your Boat for Summer
Just as with your RV, consult your owners manual for boat-specific de-winterizing and maintenance instructions. First things first — when removing your boat from storage, take off the cover and do a visual inspection.
- Check for dents, scratches and cracks. Make a note of any needed repairs.
- Ensure all screws, bolts and fittings are tightened properly.
- Thoroughly clean the entire boat and apply a fresh layer of wax to protect the surface from UV damage.
- Wipe down the interior, cleaning vinyl, chrome, windows and upholstery.
- Check the oil, power steering, distributor, belts and electronics to make sure everything works correctly.
- Check the engine, battery and propellers, and test the electronics.
- Fill the cooling system and inspect the gas tank and fuel lines.
- Inspect safety equipment, including life jackets, first aid kits, fire extinguishers and signaling devices.
Start your summer boating season off without hassle on the day you plan to begin your adventures by de-winterizing your boat in advance. Taking care of these tasks helps prevent you from having to delay or cancel a trip.
Trust SPS for Boat and RV Storage
Security Public Storage offers thrill-seekers and adventurers of all kinds secure RV and boat storage with honest pricing and state-of-the-art security. Many of our self-storage facilities include RV and boat storage and parking spaces in convenient locations with daily access hours. We take pride in offering storage units and parking spaces for your RVs, campers, boats, wave runners and more at select locations. You can expect 5-star customer service, well-maintained facilities and extended gate hours at our boat and RV storage facilities.
Visit the bottom of our Boat and RV Storage page for a list of locations that offer this specialty type of storage.