Spring has finally arrived in Rochester, MN, which means it’s time to take your RV out of storage and start planning those spring and summer road trips. Even though your RV has been parked in storage all winter, you’ll most likely need to do some maintenance before hitting the road. De-winterizing your RV ensures that it will be clean, fresh and in good condition while traveling. So, before heading out on your first RV road trip, spend an afternoon giving the RV the attention it needs to ensure you have safe, comfortable trips. To get you started, Safechoice Insurance Agency suggests you do the following de-winterizing tasks.

Sanitize/ Prepare Water System

After the RV has been sitting in storage, you’ll need to de-winterize the water system, check for leaks and sanitize it. If non-toxic antifreeze was used to winterize the system, you’ll need to run fresh water through the entire system until all the antifreeze is removed. If antifreeze was added to the freshwater holding tank, the first thing you’ll need to do is to drain all remnants of the antifreeze from the tank. Add fresh water to the tank, turn the water pump on and open all the water faucets. Leave the water running until the water runs clear through the system, then turn the pump and faucets off. Remember to replace all water filter cartridges that you removed before you put the RV in winter storage.

Maintain the Generator

The generator doesn’t require continuous attention, but it does require a little basic maintenance, especially after sitting in storage all winter. After taking the RV out of storage, you’ll need to exercise the generator, especially gas generators, because they may have fuel related issues after sitting idle while in storage. Moisture may build up and cause damage to the generator, so exercising will heat up the generator windings and eliminate the moisture buildup. To exercise the generator, simply start and run it with at least a 50% load for about two hours. It’s also helpful to review the owner’s manual to get acquainted with the load ratings specific for your unit.

The last thing you’ll want is to be riding in a hot, stuffy RV, so make sure to check the air vents and windows. Open all windows and air vents to ensure they are working correctly. Be sure to clean the air conditioner filter, which is generally located in the ceiling assembly of the RV. Simply clean it with mild soap and water, rinse and let the filter air dry before replacing it in the ceiling assembly.

Residents of Rochester, MN that are ready to hit the road in their RV should contact Safechoice Insurance Agency to review and/or update their RV insurance.