Essential Maintenance Tips for Keeping Your Boat and Motorhome Safe in a Storage Facility 

 



With winter setting in, many of us are thinking of putting our boats and motorhomes in storage until next season. And while we love the idea of keeping our investments safe, the process can be both time-consuming and confusing! Moreover, whether you are using a boat storage facility or have a place to park the vehicle yourself, you would want to prevent unnecessary repairs and prolong the lifespan of your vehicle. We’ve some comprehensive tips to help ensure your boat or motorhome stays in good condition during storage:  

Make Sure to Deep Clean Before Storing  

Before you park your ride at boat storage or motorhome storage, have it cleaned inside and out. Rinsing off salt, dirt and algae from boats helps prevent corrosion. Likewise, cleaning the outside of motorhomes removes dirt and road grime and helps protect your investment against rust.  

Make sure the interior looks good in there. Empty all food, crumbs and perishable items to avoid pest attraction, as these can easily cause infestation over time during the storage period. And deep cleaning the interior also reduces odors and the growth of mold, something frequently found in closed areas. For boats, ensure all compartments and bilges are fully dried out to prevent moisture and mildew or damage.   

Completely Drain Water Systems  

During winter, water left in tanks or pipes can freeze and break things. Motorhomes should be drained of their freshwater, gray, and black water tanks and cleaned with the appropriate cleaners. For boats, the bilges, live wells, and any onboard plumbing systems must be emptied.  

If storing in a cold climate, use RV-safe (or marine-safe) antifreeze. This special form of antifreeze is safe for your pipes and tanks, and it prevents freezing. Take it into the plumbing system, pour some into one tank to keep everything from freezing up and cracking.  

Protect the Fuel System  

If the fuel degrades, it can cause engine problems. For both boats and motorhomes, add a fuel stabilizer to a full tank and operate the engine for a few minutes to circulate the stabilizer throughout the system. This step is very important for ensuring long-term vehicle storage safety.  

For boats and motorhomes, where the vehicle may be unused for months during the off-season, some people suggest completely emptying the fuel tank. However, you should always check the manufacturer’s recommendations before emptying the tank.  

Check and Maintain Tires  

Flat spots: Tires that stay stationary for an extended period of time can develop flat spots. When parking in a boat storage facility (or motorhome storage), inflate tires to their recommended PSIG.  

For motorhomes, jack stands can help minimize the weight on tires when parked for storage. For trailered boats, check tire pressure and move the trailer occasionally to avoid creating flat-spot tires.  

Unplug the Battery  

Batteries can discharge themselves while stationary. If possible, disconnect the battery from your boat or motorhome and place it in a dry and cool area. Keep it charged using a trickle charger or battery maintainer.  

If you can’t remove the battery, check on it from time to time so that it does not run completely flat. Maintaining the battery is an essential part of ensuring vehicle storage safety.  

Use a High-Quality Cover  

The correct cover is vital when storing a motorhome or a boat. It protects from dust, dirt, UV rays, and bird droppings. Invest in a special, breathable, weatherproof cover for your vehicle.  

If you’re storing your vehicle outside, throw a tarp over the cover for extra protection from rain or snow. Make sure the cover is tight enough so that it doesn’t flake in the wind.  

Lubricate All Moving Parts  

Before storing, lubricate hinges, latches, and locks to deter rust and corrosion. Boats need oil on steering systems, throttle controls, and exposed metal surfaces. Motorhomes need oil on slide-outs, door hinges and other mechanical parts.  

One of the easiest maintenance tips and the most convenient way to avoid enduring damage to moving parts is lubrication.  

Close Any Entry Points to Prevent Infestation  

Rodent and insect problems are quite common in motorhome storage or boat storage facilities. Check your car for any openings that could allow critters to get inside. Block these openings with mesh screens or steel wool while ensuring that it still provides ventilation.  

Use mothballs or cedar blocks inside to repel critters. For boats, consider packing the storage compartments with rodent-repelling bags for extra defense against rodents.  

Inspect and Repair Seals  

Another common issue is that cars might have irregular flow leaks and that can turn out to be dangerous. It can even end up damaging some of the important elements if stored for a long duration. Check all seals from windows and doors to hatches and the roof before putting your boat or motorhome in storage.  

Seal any worn or cracked areas with the correct sealant. For motorhomes, be careful to inspect the roof vents/AC units, too. For boats, deck fittings and hatches are the areas for prevention.  

Make Regular Visits to Check In on It  

It caps off the whole process of storage, preparing your boat or motorhome, and ensuring it stays maintained. But even when you have done everything by the book, it is wise to ensure that at least once every couple of weeks you pop down to the facility to check on things for yourself. Search for evidence of leaks, insects, or any other issues.  

In motorhome facilities where it is permitted, you can start the engine occasionally and run the generator to keep the components in working order. For vessels, check the bilge space and ensure that the cover remains tight.  

Final Thoughts  

When your boat or motorhome is in a boat storage facility or motorhome storage, ensuring that it is properly maintained to keep it safe and well for use should be made a priority. As long as you go through these steps and check on your vehicle occasionally, you will ensure it’s ready for action when it is time to take it out on the road or water.  

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