Most RV storage checklists are written for places where winter means a few chilly nights and a light frost. That is not what your RV is about to sit through.
A Canadian winter is months of temperatures that can drop below minus thirty, repeated freeze and thaw cycles, heavy snow sitting on your roof, and mice looking for somewhere warm. Every one of those does a specific kind of damage, and almost all of it is preventable with a few hours of work in the fall.
Here is the list, in the order you should actually do it.
1. Winterize the plumbing properly
This is the one that costs the most when it goes wrong. Water left in a line expands as it freezes, and it only takes one cracked fitting or split pipe to give you a leak you will not discover until spring.
Drain the fresh, grey and black tanks completely. Open the low point drains. Drain the water heater and put it in bypass so you are not filling a six or ten gallon tank with antifreeze. Then either blow the lines out with compressed air or pump non-toxic RV antifreeze through every tap, the shower, and the toilet until it runs pink. Never use automotive antifreeze.
Many owners do both. In a climate where the cold is not a question of if, that extra step is cheap insurance.
2. Inspect and reseal the roof before it freezes
Roof sealant is your RV's first line of defence against water getting into the walls, and water in the walls is a five figure repair.
Get up there while the weather still allows it. Look closely around vents, skylights, the AC shroud, and every seam. Cracked, lifting, or missing sealant needs to be addressed now. Most sealants need above freezing temperatures to cure, so this is not a job you can put off until November.
3. Wash and dry the whole RV
Do not skip this, and do not rush it. Dirt, bird droppings and tree sap left on the finish all winter will stain and etch it. If you are covering your RV, a clean surface matters even more, because grit trapped underneath any cover is what causes abrasion.
Rinse the undercarriage too, especially if you towed on salted roads late in the season. Let everything dry fully before the next step.
4. Take care of the battery
A battery left to discharge in the cold can freeze and fail permanently. Fully charge it, disconnect it, and ideally remove it and store it somewhere above freezing on a maintainer.
If you run lithium batteries, check your manufacturer's guidance. Many lithium batteries should not be charged below zero, so storing them indoors is usually the safest choice.
5. Shut off and secure propane
Close the valves on your tanks, cap them, and cover them. If the tanks will be removed for the season, store them upright, outdoors, and away from any building.
6. Make it unappealing to rodents
Mice do not need much of an opening, and once they are in, they chew wiring, nest in insulation, and leave a mess you will be cleaning for weeks.
Remove every scrap of food, including sealed packages. Walk around and underneath the RV looking for gaps where plumbing and wiring pass through the floor, and seal them with steel wool or foam. Plenty of owners add traps or deterrents inside as a backup.
7. Manage moisture inside
A closed RV sitting through freeze and thaw cycles builds condensation. Prop the fridge and freezer doors open so they do not grow mould. Leave cabinet doors ajar. Set out moisture absorbers in the main living area and the bathroom, and check them if you visit the RV during the winter.
8. Protect the tires
Inflate to the recommended pressure, since cold air drops it. If you can, park on boards or tire blocks rather than directly on frozen ground, and cover the tires to keep UV and cold from drying out the rubber.
9. Plan for snow
A few centimetres of snow is not a concern. A heavy, wet accumulation sitting on your roof for weeks can be. If your RV is somewhere you can reach, clear heavy buildup with a soft roof rake or broom. Never use anything that can puncture the roof membrane.
10. Cover it, or store it indoors
If you have indoor storage or a carport, use it. Nothing beats a roof over your RV.
If your RV is going to sit outside through a Canadian winter, it needs a cover, and the cover needs to fit properly. A loose cover catches wind and moves against your sidewalls all season, which is how covers earn their bad reputation. Measure your actual RV rather than relying on the brochure length, and choose a cover that can be pulled tight and held tight, lets moisture escape, and protects the sharp points where fabric wears through first.
How KNOX covers are built for this
KNOX RV covers are built for Canadian weather, designed for multi-year performance against snow, wind, rain and sun.
Our KNOX Pro-Series 7-layer fabric sheds water from above, while vents on both sides let moisture escape from underneath, which matters when your RV is going through freeze and thaw cycles for months. Raised side straps and reinforced tension points pull the cover tight against the sidewalls, with a ripstop elastic hem along the bottom edge, so it holds through winter wind instead of billowing.
The points that usually fail first are protected from day one. Our Pro Series Travel Trailer Cover, for example, ships with a ladder cover, four gutter covers with foam pads, four wheel covers, and a storage bag that doubles as a propane tank cover, plus an adhesive patch kit for quick repairs. A weighted toss helps you get the straps over the roof, and marked points and high-visibility handles make installation a job one person can handle. Rollable zip-up doors on the side and rear let you get inside all winter without taking the cover off.
Not sure which size you need? Measure your RV yourself instead of relying on the brochure, include permanent accessories like the ladder, AC unit and spare tire, and if you land between sizes, size up. Our team is happy to help by phone, email or chat.
Fall goes quickly in Canada, and the first real cold snap tends to arrive before anyone feels ready for it. Get through this list while the weather still gives you the chance.
Shop KNOX RV covers at https://www.knoxcovers.com/collections/explore-all-rv-covers-accessories
Share:
Do RV Covers Actually Damage Your RV? An Honest Answer