If you own a camper, it’s time for you to prepare for winter. You don’t want your recreational vehicle exposed to the fierce cold, causing you to need significant repairs when spring comes. Here are some camper tips to prepare for winter:
1. Check Your Wiring
Campers are plugged into an outside electrical source. When the weather turns cold, this can be a dangerous situation. To avoid the risk of electrical fires, inspect all your wiring. Pull each wire apart at the connection point and make sure there are no cracked or frayed wires. Inspect all cables around outlet boxes to verify that they are fully intact and secure. Replace any damaged cables.
Pro tip: Do not turn the Camper’s breaker switches and disconnects while inspecting your wiring. This lessens the risk of electrical fires.
2. Re-Vacuum Your System
Inspect the system for leaks. Many campers owners do not thoroughly clean their systems. Before winter, the best way to verify a leak-free connection is to use a commercial vacuum cleaner on all hoses and connectors. After vacuuming, wipe down everything with a damp cloth.
3. Fill All the Tools and Appliances With Proper Fluids Level
Check all your camper tools, appliances, and furnaces. Low fluid levels can lead to frozen pipes or damage. Fill as necessary with proper fluid levels before storage. Check owner’s manuals for the appropriate type of fluid to use in each unit.
Pro tip: It’s best to use coolant rather than water in A/C units. Check out your vacuum hose for air leaks. If the vacuum hose leaks, it can lead to a depressurized system. This will drain the gas and possibly cause damage to the engine.
4. Store Your Cooling System in a Dry Place
Cooling systems are the most vulnerable and often fail during cold winter, making leaks and worn hose connections dangerous. If you experience an issue with your camper, it’s best to repair it before using it in spring. To prevent leaks, clean all hose connections with anti-freeze periodically throughout winter.
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5. Straighten and Protect Your Tire Tread
If you’ve got a garage, park your camper and cover it with a tarp. If you don’t, park it in a dry place where temperatures stay above freezing. A separate garage may be cold enough for winter storage. Make sure the temperature stays above freezing to avoid losing your tires to winterization damage.
Pro tip: Consistently check your tire pressure. Winter air is very dry, so if your tires lose a lot of pressure, fill them with air before covering them for winter storage.
6. Monitor Camper Water Filter and Heater
Freezing pipes can cause an issue with your camper. To prevent this, turn your camper’s water heater and filter off or on to “never cool.” Some units do have shutoffs to accomplish this task easily. If your camper does not have a shutoff, turn the temperature knob down. Remember to always turn your water heater and filter off/on, even if not needed.
Looking for Camper Tips?
Camper tips come in handy once you get to the camper. You should know how to make repairs or check out an electrical system before using or storing it in the camper. Climbing into and out of the vehicle can be tricky during cold weather. Keep these campground tips in mind when parked up at the campsite to make sure problems aren’t occurring outside the unit.
