Should I Remove an RV Battery in the Winter [Prevent Issues]


Remove RV Battery in Winter

During the cold winter months, it’s time to put the RV away for its yearly hibernation.

It’s time to winterize your RV.

One question always asked, is should you remove your RV batteries in the winter?

You should remove your RV battery in winter. The acid inside a battery will turn back to a water state if the battery dies in the cold. This can permanently damage the battery as the water freezes. An RV battery should be removed, fully charged using a portable charger and stored inside for winter.

As well as just storing it inside, perhaps down in a basement, you should try to store it off the cold stone floor. On a shelf or even on some wood, or plastic or fabric sheet.

How to Remove Your RV Battery Before Winter

Removing RV Battery

Removing your RV battery is a straightforward task.

You need to find your battery, which is usually at the front of the RV.

You will need some tools to help you. A socket wrench with a suitable size half inch socket should be all that’s needed.

Use the socket to release the power connectors, both red and blue wires.

Release the wires and lift out your battery.

You should also use your RV owners-manual will show you how to install and remove your RV battery for your particular make a model. All are different of course, but all follow a similar method.

Once your battery is removed from your RV, it is time to store it.

How to Store Your RV Battery During Cold Winter Months

Once you have your battery removed, you need to find a place to store it.

Before you do this, you should fully charge your battery using a portable charger.

A battery, if not in use, will drain and de-cell. If your battery has little power left, you may find it fully drains before the winter is over leaving you with a flat battery when Spring finally pays a visit.

It will drain quicker left out in the cold in your RV but will drain slowly when not in use.

You could also trickle charge your RV battery, and there are a number of battery trickle chargers created for this very job.

The garage isn’t a good idea for storage. It isn’t heated, and often will not protect the battery enough. The cold is the problem and garages are normally cold places.

If you have regular heat in your garage, for example you use as a workshop and spend time in their daily, it may well suffice, but for those who don’t there are alternatives.

You could store your battery anywhere in your home for example in a basement.

As mentioned, if you put your battery directly on to the cold stone floor in winter, that coldness from the floor will seep into the battery and cause similar affects as to leaving it in your RV.

It will be a slower process, but it’s one that can easily be avoided.

You could put the battery on a shelf or a crate, or a fabric sheet, but just try to protect it as best as possible.

How to Winterize your RV for Winter

It isn’t just your battery that you need to care for and protect from your RV in winter.

There are other precautions to take to make sure your RV is ready for you as winter breaks.

Here are some of the ways to RV winterize for the cold weather:

  • Drain your water tank – but make sure the water in your tank is cooled before you do so
  • After draining fully open your tap and shower head to remove excess water
  • If you would prefer not to drain your water tank, then use anti-freeze instead
  • Covers for your tires
  • Check your tires are fully inflated
  • Fill your fuel tank to full before storage to prevent moisture in your fuel tank

How to Install Your Battery After Winter

This is simply the reverse of the instructions we covered when removing your battery.

Check your battery power levels using a portable charger, which you could also do on a monthly basis in storage, and as long as the battery isn’t fully drained – which it shouldn’t be if you have followed all the necessary safety precautions and steps – then you’re good to go.

Take your battery to your RV, reconnected the red and blue wires, and use the socket wrench to tighten.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this post will help you keep your RV battery protected in the cold winter months.

 Just make sure to protect it from the cold, fully charge it so it doesn’t slow drain while you’re not using it or possible trickle charge.

The extra steps you go through now will mean less frustration when it’s finally time to de-winterize your RV and head back on the road for your next RV adventure!

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