How to Store Your RV for Winter: Cold Weather Storage Guide

Winter is the most critical time to get RV storage right. Freezing temperatures can destroy plumbing systems, crack engine blocks, and ruin batteries — turning a simple storage decision into thousands of dollars in repairs. Here's how to protect your investment.

Why Winter Storage Matters

Water expands when it freezes. If there's any water left in your RV's plumbing — pipes, water heater, holding tanks, faucets, or the water pump — it can freeze, expand, and crack the fittings. A single cracked pipe can cause hundreds or thousands in damage when it thaws and starts leaking.

Winterizing Your Plumbing: Two Methods

Method 1: Compressed Air Blowout. Use an air compressor (set to 30–50 PSI) connected to your city water inlet. Open each faucet one at a time — hot and cold — until no water comes out. Flush the toilet. Don't forget the outdoor shower if you have one. This method uses no chemicals but may leave small amounts of water behind.

Method 2: RV Antifreeze. The more thorough method. After draining all tanks, bypass your water heater (you don't want to fill it with antifreeze), then pump non-toxic RV antifreeze through the entire system by connecting it to the water pump inlet. Run each faucet until you see pink antifreeze flowing. Pour some into each drain and the toilet to protect P-traps.

Battery Storage

Cold temperatures are brutal on batteries. A fully charged battery won't freeze until roughly -75°F, but a 50% discharged battery can freeze at just 15°F. Remove your batteries and store them in a cool (not freezing), dry location. Use a battery maintainer to keep them charged. Check water levels monthly on lead-acid batteries.

Tire and Chassis Protection

Inflate tires to maximum recommended PSI — under-inflated tires develop flat spots in cold weather. Use tire covers to block UV and prevent rubber degradation. If possible, park on plywood rather than directly on concrete or asphalt. If your RV will be stored outside, wash the undercarriage to remove road salt before parking.

Pest Prevention in Winter

Mice and other rodents seek warm shelter in winter, and your RV is an inviting target. Seal every opening: use steel wool or foam sealant around plumbing penetrations, check all exterior seams, and close off any gaps in slide-outs. Many RVers use peppermint oil-soaked cotton balls, mothballs, or ultrasonic pest repellers inside the RV.

Choosing a Winter Storage Facility

If you're in a region with harsh winters, covered or indoor storage is worth the investment. Snow load can damage RV roofs, ice dams can cause leaks, and freeze-thaw cycles accelerate wear on seals and caulking. Indoor storage eliminates all of these risks.

Bid Rig lists thousands of facilities with covered and indoor options. Browse by state, filter by storage type, and let us negotiate the best winter storage rate for you — completely free.