Winterizing Your Fifth Wheel

We know you don’t want to think about this yet, and really, you’ve probably got one or two more trips you can take before it gets too cold to camp. But the warm season will be over before you know it and it’s time to start thinking about putting your fifth wheel in storage. This can be especially true now that the kids are back in school and they may not have time to go camping. 

So, unless you’re looking to prepare your RV for winter camping, it’s time to think about winter storage. To help you out, Golden Gait Trailers & RVs have provided some tips on preparing your fifth wheel for storage. If you need additional help, stop by our location in Concord, North Carolina, serving Charlotte and Raleigh, and chat with one of our experienced staff.

Interior

We’ll start inside and work our way out. You’ll want to clear out anything that can’t stay in the fifth wheel over the winter. This should include food, even the non-perishables in your cupboards. Remove any children’s toys, games, and in general, anything that isn’t designated specifically for the camper (you might be inclined to leave linens in the RV). 

Also, wipe down all surfaces, and generally clean the fifth wheel before putting it away. This prevents grime and dirt from turning into something worse, and will mean less work for you come spring. 

Pests

Next, you’ll need to guard your fifth wheel against pests. Inspect every inch of the interior for holes and other ways mice or bugs could get in. Fill these holes with caulk or expandable foam, so you don’t come back to a mess. You’ll even want to feel around for holes you can’t see. 

Remove Batteries

Now look for battery-powered items you might be leaving in the camper, like flashlights. Remove the batteries so they don’t corrode and won’t be drained when you come back to them.

Appliances

Some of your appliances also need to be prepped for winter. Clean all your appliances before walking away and unhook your propane tank (if you have one). When you finally cut off your power supply, your fridge will start to thaw, so get ready for defrosting. All this requires is laying down some towels to soak up all the runoff water. We also recommend leaving the doors open to speed up the process.

Exterior

Now let’s move outside. Of course, the best way to prepare the outside of your fifth wheel is to wash it. Just like with the interior, getting rid of dirt protects your RV and keeps it looking nice. At the same time, you’ll want to look for problem areas and signs you need to make a service appointment. Some people like to do this anyway so they know their fifth wheel is going into storage in pristine condition, and won’t come out with a mountain of problems. 

Tires

If you leave your fifth wheel on one spot of your tires for too long, they start to wear down faster in that one spot. To prevent this, you’ll either need to elevate the vehicle off the wheels entirely, or rotate the tires once a month. 

Where to Store Your Fifth Wheel

When your fifth wheel is all set, you’ll need to find a spot to put it. Ideally, this would be a large garage or other covered area on your own property, so you can keep an eye on it and protect it from the elements. Of course, this isn’t feasible for everyone. Some great alternatives include pulling it into your backyard, leaving it on the driveway (if you don’t mind a little crowding), or renting out a storage unit at a specialized facility. Don’t leave it on the street. Not only does this leave it vulnerable to thieves, it’s also often illegal to leave a vehicle for an extended period of time on public roads.

Properly storing your fifth wheel ensures you can continue to use it when the weather gets warm again in the spring. Then again, maybe you’ve decided that when spring comes around, you’ll want to get a new RV. If that’s the case, then stop by Golden Gait Trailers and RVs in Concord, North Carolina, to check out the models we have for sale right now. We also serve Charlotte and Raleigh.