Cheyenne winters are hard on RVs. The city sits at about 6,000 feet, freezing nights can arrive early in the fall and hang on well into spring, and Cheyenne is well known as one of the windiest cities in the country. An RV that goes into storage without being prepared can come out in spring with burst water lines, a dead battery, mice in the cabinets, or a torn awning.
The good news is that winterizing is a one-afternoon job. Here's a checklist built for Cheyenne conditions. Do all of it before you pull into storage — most storage facilities, ours included, don't allow tank dumping, fluid work, or repairs on the lot.
1. Protect the plumbing
Frozen water lines are the most expensive winter mistake, and the easiest to avoid.
- Empty the holding tanks. Dump and rinse the black and gray tanks at a dump station, and drain the fresh-water tank.
- Drain the water heater. Turn it off, let it cool, relieve the pressure, and pull the drain plug or anode. Then set the water-heater bypass valves so you don't fill a 6- or 10-gallon tank with antifreeze.
- Clear the lines. Open the low-point drains. Then either blow the lines out with compressed air, or pump RV antifreeze (the pink, non-toxic kind — never automotive antifreeze) through the system until it runs pink at every faucet, shower, and toilet. Many owners in cold climates do both.
- Don't miss the extras. Outdoor showers, ice makers, washing machines, and water filters all hold water. Check your owner's manual for your model's list.
- Protect the drains. Pour a cup of RV antifreeze into each sink and shower drain to protect the P-traps.
2. Take care of the batteries
A discharged lead-acid battery can freeze and crack in a hard cold snap. A fully charged one holds up much better. Charge the batteries fully, then either disconnect them or take them home and keep them on a maintainer. Outdoor storage lots generally don't have power at each spot (ours doesn't), so taking them home is often the simplest option. Also turn off the battery disconnect so small parasitic loads don't drain them over the winter.
3. Fuel, propane, and the generator
- Motorhomes: fill the fuel tank and add a fuel stabilizer. A full tank leaves less room for condensation.
- Generator: run it with stabilized fuel for a while before you arrive. Running generators isn't allowed on most storage lots.
- Propane: close the valves on the tanks. Propane in the RV's factory-installed tanks is fine to store; loose spare cylinders should go home with you.
4. Keep the mice out
An RV parked on the plains is an inviting winter home for rodents. Remove all food, including sealed packages. Clean and dry the fridge and prop the door open. Fill gaps around plumbing and wiring with steel wool or sealant, and set traps if you like. Rodent damage to wiring can cost far more than the prevention does.
5. Button up for wind, sun, and hail
- Retract and lock the awning, bring the slide-outs in, and latch every exterior compartment. A Cheyenne gust can unroll an awning that isn't secured.
- Check roof seals and caulking before winter. Snow sitting on the roof and repeated freeze-thaw cycles will find any gap.
- Use a breathable RV cover that fits properly and strap it down firmly. Loose tarps trap moisture and flap themselves to shreds in the wind.
- Cover the tires to protect them from UV, which is stronger at altitude. Inflate them to the recommended cold pressure and chock the wheels.
- Check your insurance. Southeast Wyoming gets its share of hail. Make sure your policy covers comprehensive damage while the RV is in storage. A storage lease covers the space, not the vehicle.
6. Inside the coach
Close the blinds to limit sun fading. Leave cabinet and drawer doors slightly open for airflow, and consider a moisture absorber to keep condensation and mildew down. Take anything valuable home.
7. Check on it during the winter
After a big wind event or a heavy snow, it's worth a quick look to make sure the cover is still secure and nothing has come loose. At Highway 85 Storage the gate is open 24/7 with your personal code, so you can stop by whenever it suits you.
Quick checklist
- Dump and rinse the black and gray tanks; drain the fresh-water tank
- Drain the water heater and set the bypass
- Blow out the lines and/or pump RV antifreeze to every fixture
- Put antifreeze in the P-traps
- Charge the batteries, then disconnect them or take them home
- Stabilize the fuel and exercise the generator at home
- Close the propane valves
- Remove food, prop the fridge open, and seal rodent entry points
- Retract the awning and slides, and latch the compartments
- Check roof seals, put on the cover, and cover the tires
- Confirm your insurance coverage
Looking for somewhere to park it this winter? Highway 85 Storage has gated 10×30 outdoor spots in south Cheyenne, and two adjacent spots can be combined for rigs up to 60 feet. See what's open now, or read our guide to choosing RV and boat storage.