Spring has finally arrived in Michigan, and people are excited to go out and enjoy warmer weather and our beautiful state. One great to do that is camping, of course. If you have a camper, boat, or recreational vehicle, you will be thinking about getting it road ready so you can travel. Here are some tips for prepping a vehicle you’ve had in storage all winter for use.

Wash it off – Even if you washed your vehicle last fall, it will need to be cleaned again to remove dust and other debris. Wash away any mildew, and make sure to extend and clean the awning too. As you go, check the caulking and monitor for leaks. The time to fix any problems with windows, doors, screens, vents, and seals is now. You don’t want to worry about them when you are on vacation.

Air out your RV’s interior – Open up all your windows and doors and clean everything off. Check for evidence of pests in all nooks and crannies.

Check your tires – Your RV’s tires will have lost pressure over the winter. Inspect all of them, including the spare tire, for cracks or tears and inflate them to the recommended tire pressure. Recreational vehicles are very heavy. You want to make sure your tires are properly inflated so they can balance and carry the weight and you do not have problems on the road.

Charge your batteries – RV batteries lose their charge in storage, up to 10% per month. Charging RV batteries can be tricky , so be safe and wear safety glasses and gloves when you are doing this. Check your batteries for any cracks. If the terminals are corroded, you can remove the corrosion with hot water and baking soda.

Flush out your water system – If you used antifreeze to winterize your vehicle, you will have to flush it entirely out. This includes both your water system and your holding tank. If after flushing, your water still tastes like antifreeze, you can dissolve baking soda into water and pour it down the drains. After a few hours, flush out your system again. While you are doing this check your faucets and pipes for leaks.

Test your propane system – Over the winter hoses and seals may have dried out or cracked or may have been targeted by mice. When you open your tank valve, smell for leaks and check for damage to wires or hoses. Clean your LP gas appliances, test to see if they work, and then run them for a little while. If you think there is a leak, have a certified RV service technician repair it. Do not try to repair it yourself.

In the fall, you will need to go through the winterizing process in order to prepare your recreational vehicle for storage. Remember the above as items you should check off your list. If you are in West Michigan and are looking for a safe place to store your camper or RV for the winter, call us at Bykerk Southbelt Storage. We have clean, well drained outdoor storage units for cars, RVs, campers, trailers, and boats ranging from 20×11 to 13×58 feet. Our state-of-the-art security is unmatched and includes barbed wire, computerized gate entry and exit, 48 digital day/night cameras, and a 24-hour monitored perimeter. We will take good care of your vehicle until summer comes around again and it’s time for you to use it once more.

In the meantime, enjoy your recreational vehicle, and have a great summer!