Winter is coming! Learn how to prepare your boat, motorcycle, RV, and other summer toys for winter storage.

When you start to feel a nip in the air, you know that summer is coming to an end.  With the rain and snow of winter right around the corner, it’s time to kiss your summer toys goodbye and get them ready for storage.  Here’s what you need to know about preparing your boat, motorcycle, RV, ATV, and other summer recreational vehicles for this winter’s storage.

1) Cleaning

The first step in preparing your summer toys for storage is making sure they are cleaned inside and out.  Carefully clean the interior and exterior of your vehicle and look for any signs of damage as you go.  Once you are satisfied with your cleaning, coat the outside of your vehicle in a fresh coat of wax to prevent rusting while it’s in storage.  You might also want to consider getting a cloth cover to provide an additional layer of protection.

2) Maintenance

Make sure to remove any water from the engine and plumbing system of your boat or RV.  Any leftover moisture could damage your vehicle while it’s in storage.  Additionally, if any of your toys still have fuel in them, make sure you add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank.  This will prevent the leftover fuel from negatively impacting your vehicle’s motor.  Finally, if you noticed any damage while cleaning, get it repaired.  You want your summer toys to be ready to use as soon as you take them out of storage.

3) Storage Facility

When choosing a place to store your toys for the winter, there are a couple of things you should look for.  When deciding on a facility, make sure it has experience storing similar items and check to see if it offers adequate security.  Take a tour of the premises and make sure the units are dry and heated.  Finally, choose a storage facility that allows you to rent space by the month.  This way you only have to pay for storage when you need it.

As you prepare your summer toys for storage, keep this guide in mind.  Remember, an important part of keeping your summer toys safe this winter is making sure they have the insurance coverage they need.  Year-round insurance will help protect them from any damage or theft that occurs while in storage.  To get your summer toys insured today, contact the professionals at Scautub Agency.  Our insurance experts are ready to get you covered!