Soon you’ll be dreading going outside and will enter your homes with soaking shoes. You may also find yourself reading by the fire, catching snowflakes on your tongue, or dodging a snowball! Winter is coming.

During the off-season, take some time to ensure your vehicles and toys are protected. Yes, you could just cover your vehicle and put it in storage; however, this will not guarantee that your beloved ride stays in top condition. Want to return to your RV after the winter to find mold and a terrible odor? What if you find the head of your motorcycle cracked in the spring? If there is any water in your boat’s tanks or engines that freezes, say “see ya” to that extra money in your bank account. Don’t throw your money down the drain. Get informed on how to winterize your vehicles.  

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WINTERIZING YOUR RV

When it comes to prepping your RV for the off-season, you can decide whether you’d like to take it to a maintenance shop or DIY. If you decide on the latter, this is what you’ll have to do and why:

  1. Prepare the exterior and interior by thoroughly emptying and cleaning everything, checking for any cracks that need to be re-sealed, covering any holes where pests or animals could enter, and take action to eliminate any odor.
  2. Drain the entire plumbing system because any trace of water can cause freezing, expanding, and result in damage to the system. There are two ways to do this. The easier method is to get an air compressor and a blow out plug from an RV supplier. The more reliable method is to fill the system with RV antifreeze.

Always consult your owner’s manual for winterizing instructions, valve locations, or any questions you may have. ReserveAmerica.com has a solid how-to for both of these methods.

  1. Perform engine maintenance. Fill the radiator and windshield washer with a solution containing antifreeze. Fill the tank, get a stabilizer, run the engine, etc.
  2. Protect the tires with leveling jacks, outside jacks, or by moving the a few times during the winter. Check the tire pressure, inflate them to the recommended pressure, and consider putting something between the tires and the ground.
  3. Fully charge and remove the batteries. Store the batteries somewhere safe. The other option is to leave the batteries in if you are able to fire up your RV and plug it into shore power for 8 hours once a month.
  4. Store it in an appropriate location. This location should be covered, on solid ground, or at the very least under a quality cover.
  5. Check-in on your RV. Take rust-preventative measures, check for odor, check water levels, and fire up the RV and move the tires throughout the winter months if you are able.

WINTERIZING YOUR MOTORCYCLE

Your motorcycle might be small compared to a boat or RV, but it still needs an equal amount of attention and care before the winter. You better ...

  1. Wash that bad boy and wax.
  2. Change the oil and filter
  3. Fill the gas tank and add fuel stabilizer to prevent rust and protect the engine.
  4. Lubricate the moving parts also to prevent rusting or binding.
  5. Remove and charge the battery or hookup a battery tender.
  6. Check your coolant system for proper levels of anti-freeze or you might find your motorcycle head cracked in the spring.
  7. Move to storage: a warm, dry garage or shed space.
  8. Protect the tires from moisture and developing flat spots. Keep the tires off the ground with a motorcycle stand, slightly rotate the tires every few weeks, or put a buffer between them and the ground.
  9. Use a motorcycle cover and plug out pests to avoid a rusted, corroded ride or coming back to a motorcycle-shaped animal home in the spring.

WINTERIZING YOUR BOAT

If you don’t prepare your boat for winter, it could cost you. So what are the tasks involved in basic boat maintenance and winterizing?

  1. Remove any water or materials susceptible to moisture from the interior.
  2. Wash, dry, clean, and wax
  3. Fill fuel tanks and add stabilizer to gasoline so that your boat is ready to use next boat season!
  4. Change the oil and filter to get rid of any water and to protect the engine from corrosion.
  5. Drain, flush with water, and fill the coolant system with a properly diluted antifreeze solution for more engine protection.
  6. Protect your engine and vehicle moving parts by fogging and greasing. Your owner’s manual should give you the proper instructions for how to do this.
  7. Loosen or remove drive belts to prevent them from cracking.
  8. Disconnect the battery to prevent it from draining and dying this season. Charge it occasionally so you know it’s ready to go after winter.
  9. If your boat has exhaust ports, seal them to protect from animals and pests.
  10. Cover it.
  11. Pick a storage option. The options are outdoor, storage unit, dry stack, or indoor.

WINTERIZING YOUR INSURANCE

During the winter you have to worry about frozen pipes, falls on your property, and weather damage. To make sure you are properly covered, review your policies and take a look around your property. Think about what’s covered, what’s not, and how the winter season could put your property at risk. Check for limits, exclusions, programs, and discounts. Then, talk to your agent about what you found or any questions you have. Be smart and save on insurance. Don’t pay for policies that are unnecessary and be sure to add policies that you may need specifically for the winter. Some agencies offer seasonal ratings! Don’t bag on your off-season vehicle’s insurance all together; when it’s the off-season, your boat, motorcycle, or RV is still susceptible to weather damage and theft.

You should consider purchasing liability or umbrella coverage for the winter if you don’t already have it. Winter is full of accidents due to the ice and slush. Don’t get caught up in a claim because someone falls and gets seriously injured on your property.

This might seem obvious, but it’s important. Don’t take your vehicle out when you aren’t supposed to. Your insurance claim could be denied if you get in an accident in an area that is temporarily closed or prohibited.

Lastly, always keep an emergency kit and antifreeze nearby or in vehicles you use during the winter. When it’s freezing out, you do not want to be unprepared if you experience a vehicle breakdown in the middle of nowhere.

Download your winterizing checklists now:

 

 

SOURCES:

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Prepare-a-Motorcycle-for-Winter-Storage/

http://www.bikebandit.com/blog/post/ten-steps-to-winterize-your-motorcycle

https://www.sparefoot.com/self-storage/blog/1377-how-to-prepare-your-boat-for-winter-storage/

http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/winter/winterworksheet.pdf

https://www.allstate.com/tools-and-resources/insurance-basics/winter-insurance-coverage.aspx

https://www.allstate.com/tools-and-resources/home-insurance/ice-damage.aspx

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-harrow/car-insurance-tips-for-th_b_12870036.html