September 23rd marks the official start to fall for 2023. The change in seasons means more to RV owners than just a change in temperature. It’s a pivotal time in the RV lifestyle when owners are gearing up for winter camping or closing down for cold weather storage. And while each person is on their own journey, there are some common responsibilities to talk about that affect all RV owners this time of year. Our experts are here to help you navigate the change of season with practiced advice and linked resources to make the transition seamless no matter where your RV is headed next.
Everyone has heard of spring cleaning, but for RVers fall cleaning is just as important. Spring cleaning helps shake off the detritus of winter while fall cleaning clears out the build-up of dirt accumulated during summer road trips and helps to prepare the RV for cold weather. Besides your favorite Spotify playlist to get you motivated, fall cleaning of your RV will also require RV safe cleaning products and product specific cleaning instructions from the manufacturers of components on your coach. Once you have those 3 things, you’re ready to start. Work your way from top to bottom being sure to look out for RV specific issues like evidence of mold or rodent infestation during both interior and exterior cleaning.
For professional cleaning tips as well as product specific guidelines for our family of brands we have the following additional content to make sure you’re not wasting time or energy when it comes to fall cleaning.
Autumn is a great time for annual maintenance and repair. Annual maintenance is a crucial part of component longevity and will greatly affect how well components in your RV perform. For example, changing out the air filters in your air conditioner can improve airflow through the unit and ensure optimal performance. Water heaters are another component that requires annual maintenance, and you definitely want to be sure any heating or water element is prepared for winter weather.
Furthermore, any problems that your RV may have developed during the summer road trip season are fresh in your mind when fall hits and can be directly addressed. For example, if your pleated shades were damaged in summer revelry, now is the time to get them restrung and hung. Moreover, many unattended issues can be exasperated if left to fester so it’s always better to get maintenance and repairs done as soon as needed. Plus, the milder temperatures of fall are more desirable when doing maintenance work than the heat of summer or cold of winter.
So, if you are an RV owner that does their maintenance in the fall, we’ve got additional resources for you whether you do the maintenance work yourself or take your rig to an authorized service center.
At this point in the year, RV owners are either thinking about winter storage or cold weather camping as either could be on the horizon. No matter which option you choose preparations are needed to be sure your RV is protected from the elements and ready to meet the challenges of winter weather.
For seasonal RV users the beginning of fall marks the end of the 2023 road trip season, and they’ll be getting their RV ready to go into winter storage. Though all parts of an RV need to be prepped for storage, special care should be taken for all water systems on an RV going into winter storage to avoid what can be catastrophically expensive damage caused by freezing temperatures. Read our additional content on getting RVs ready for storage if your rig is slated for hibernation this winter.
For full time RVers that use their coach year-round, fall might mark a change in destinations or travel style but not a halt to RV living. Afterall, there are plenty of wintertime destinations coast to coast for RV enthusiasts whether they are looking to enjoy the colder season or retreat to warmer locations. Our travel experts have several recommendations for year-round RVers planning out their fall and winter itineraries.