Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
Few calendar items are more anticipated by RV owners than the first road trip of the year. For many, these vacations provide a necessary antidote to cabin fever and seasonal depression.
That said, nothing drains away the magic from a vacation quite like finding new problems with a trailer or motorhome, especially after a long journey's been taken. At Darren Bideaux RV in West Haven, experienced technicians work to eliminate these potential issues by properly winterizing, de-winterizing and inspecting vehicles.
"People nowadays don't want to deal with a lot of hassle," says Darren Bideaux, owner of Darren Bideaux RV. "By properly winterizing a unit, drivers can take care of a lot of maintenance needs at once and keep things easy, usable and ready to go for their next trip."
Before hitting the asphalt, here's what you need to know about winterizing and de-winterizing your RV.
Why winterize/de-winterize an RV
The end of the camping season marks the start of a lengthy storage period for these vehicles. Whether an RV is parked in a garage, storage facility or under a cover in the driveway, it embraces winter temperatures.
When taken in for winterization services, motorhomes and trailers have air or antifreeze sent through their water systems to prevent pipe and tank wear. Batteries are also disconnected to maintain the health of the electrical system.
"Winter is super hard on water systems and batteries, especially across the Ogden Valley and in areas like Brigham City and Logan that experience extreme temperatures," Bideaux says. "If those two things aren't taken care of before storage, expensive problems can start to occur."
Typically, the de-winterization process entails flushing out antifreeze from a system and testing a battery. Bideaux's team, however, adds a 15-point inspection to spot problems before they occur.
While inspecting a vehicle, dealership technicians first ensure that all appliances are running properly. Other items checked include window seals, roofs, awnings and slide outs.
"We're looking for failures for those things, and that way, we can pinpoint those out and let the customer know," says Roger Shuman, a service manager at Darren Bideaux RV with over 42 years of experience. "We're catching it ahead of time before it does internal damage."
How winterization/de-winterization affects an RV
Though the purpose of winterizing and de-winterizing is to prevent wear, there are several other benefits to keeping a vehicle ready for the colder months — especially in regards to resale value.
"If you've been around a water leak in a house or sprinkler system, you know that things aren't the same afterward," Bideaux says. "Not having a broken water heater and not having frozen lines that you have to go in and take out really does a lot for the resale value."
As a vehicle's pipes and tanks become protected from freezing, cabinets and appliances become less susceptible to water damage. According to Bideaux, keeping these items in pristine condition is an exceptional way to protect resale value because parts for them are often the first to be discontinued on a unit.
During a 15-point inspection, the team at Darren Bideaux RV also looks for early signs of wear. Two specific areas of focus include window seals and roofs. On vehicles with a rubber roof, for example, technicians look for black spots or bubbling. As for window seals, Bideaux says that as putty freezes and thaws, deterioration can occur — allowing water to seep into walls and paneling.
Why winterize/de-winterize at a dealership
It's far from difficult to find YouTube videos on how to winterize or de-winterize an RV. Services that require basic resources like antifreeze, many people may be inclined to tackle these jobs on their own. While someone with basic mechanical experience could be qualified, there are a few reasons to take a vehicle to a shop like Darren Bideaux RV.
According to Shuman, the additional value that comes from de-winterizing with the Wasatch Front dealership stems from the 15-point inspection. An operation that's certified to work on all motorhomes and trailers, technicians at Darren Bideaux RV attend trainings across the country held by specific manufacturers. These provide them with an opportunity to better understand an RV's features and designs.
"We're experienced in doing what we do," Shuman says. "The technicians we use are trained. We usually take the guessing part out of analyzing problems, and we stand behind what we do."
Darren Bideaux RV also has a policy specifying that if one of its employees breaks a part, the dealership is liable to replace it. Shuman says that this provides owners with protection from incurring further costs, unlike if they damaged a part while attempting a repair on their own.
Other advice
Properly de-winterizing and inspecting an RV helps ensure that a vehicle is ready for a vacation. That said, before hitting the road, Bideaux recommends taking a short trip to ensure that everything is running optimally.
"If you're going to be towing a vehicle, maybe go tow it 20-30 minutes down the road," says Bideaux. "It's crucial to get a feel for how a machine is pulling. Use this time to make some adjustments and ensure that everything is level."
A dealership that carries vehicles from manufacturers such as Thor, Forest River, Venture, Sportrek, Stratus, Sonic, Heartland, Torque, Lithium, Coachman Catalina, Sandpiper, and Work and Play, Darren Bideaux RV is offering free 15-point inspections with each de-winterization service at their location in Weber County.
Visit the link to book an appointment with their team of technicians.
