Many people give their vintage campers a break during the winter to protect them from the elements. When spring arrives, it’s time to get energized and take your trailer back out on adventures. How can you prepare your vehicle for the new season’s travels? Here’s a guide to dewinterizing your RV and gearing up for trips.
What Is Dewinterizing an RV?
If you don’t store your RV during the cold season, you can take it on winter trips to your favorite destinations. Even if you use your recreational vehicle year-round, you still recognize the importance of protecting it from plumbing or water heater damage. When warm weather returns, it’s time to reverse the changes you made for the colder months.
Picture dewinterization as a chance to reset. Camping season is about to ramp back up, making it an ideal time to prepare for the new year. You want your vintage camper to be in good condition for your spring and summer adventures, so check your RV from front to back and leave no stone unturned.
How Can You Dewinterize Your RV?
The best time to dewinterize your RV depends on your location. Regardless of the timing, here are five essential steps to prepping your vintage camper trailer for the spring.
1. Examine the Exterior
First, examine the exterior for cracks and leaks, considering older camper trailers may be more vulnerable. Your RV may have holes in the seams that let water seep in and damage the walls. Winter’s freezes and thaws can exacerbate these gaps, so they deserve special attention.
Your exterior could also use a thorough washing. Winter weather could lead to dirt, road salt and grime that dirty the vintage trailer. Consider your RV’s age and use a mild soap to prevent damage. Before the UV rays get stronger, wax your camper to give it a fresh protective coat.
2. Inspect the Electrical System
Older camper trailers should receive electrical inspections before the new travel season. Start by disconnecting the battery and cleaning the terminals with baking soda and water. Then, test the voltage with a multimeter before checking the electrolyte levels if you have a lead-acid battery.
Your electrical inspection should also include the interior wiring and outlets. While some trailer owners forget these components, they’re essential for RV meals when traveling. The cables should have firm connections inside the wall, so ensure they aren’t brittle. Probe the wires with a circuit tester and ground them if necessary.
3. Check the Tire Pressure
Your tires could lose 2 to 3 psi monthly while you leave your trailer sitting in storage. Slow leaks and temperature fluctuations mean you may see flat spots or deformation. Experts recommend inspecting the pressure before cranking the engine.
Besides air pressure, your tires deserve a visual inspection to detect wear and tear. Over time, they may have accumulated cracks, blisters or bulges that will affect your next trip. Analyze the tread depth to help your RV have better traction and comply with state laws.
4. Clean the Water System
Winter prep likely included pouring antifreeze into your freshwater systems. Now, you must drain this fluid because it’s unsafe for human consumption. The RV’s freshwater supply has likely become stagnant, creating a haven for mold and bacteria. Use a cleaner that’s safe for vintage camper trailers with older mechanisms.
Once you sanitize the system, flush it thoroughly to eliminate sediment and debris. If you have gray and black water, transport the holding tanks to a certified dump site to avoid polluting your local ecosystems. Be sure to adjust your water heater’s bypass valve to its usual position if you moved it when winterizing.
5. Change the Fluids
While your motorized RV is safe in storage, it can still suffer degradation due to oxidation and moisture buildup. Survey the fluids in your camper trailer to check their status — you may need oil service if it has lost its lubrication. Experts say RVs need an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or once annually if they have gasoline engines.
Besides oil, you should inspect the coolant when dewinterizing your vintage camper trailer. Cold weather requires coolant to protect the engine from freezing, though it might have lost its antifreeze and anti-rust properties. Replace the coolant to protect your radiator and other crucial components from damage.
Dewinterizing Your RV for an Adventurous Spring Ahead
Preparing your RV for the spring is equally critical as winter readiness. Thoroughly inspect your vintage camper trailer before hitting the road for your first warm-weather trip. The effort is worth it for your most prized possession.
Jack Shaw is a freelance writer and an avid outdoorsman. He’s the senior writer of Modded.com, and has contributed his stories and advice through Trekaroo, OutdoorX4, Washington Trails Magazine and more.
