As an RV dealership and repair shop in Central Florida, we are all too familiar with hurricanes and the havoc they can wreak. Not just on homes, but on our homes on wheels as well! If you own an RV in central Florida or really anywhere in the southeast United States, it’s important to know how to perform RV hurricane prep.
What you need to know about RV hurricane prep
We specialize in fixing up RVs that need repairs from collisions, wear and tear, and sometimes human error.
Another thing we see quite often in our RV repair shop is weather-related damage. We want to help keep you out of our shop and on the road, so follow these tips next time you need to get your RV hurricane-ready!
Stay informed on weather predictions
Sure, sometimes hurricanes create a huge buzz in the news before they hit and then turn out to be nothing to worry about. But don’t let that keep you from taking storm warnings seriously! You’ll regret skipping RV hurricane prep when the day comes for a real threatening storm to visit your area. Unlike other weather events such as tornadoes or earthquakes, hurricanes are fairly predictable. While the storm path often changes, it usually does so with enough time for you to get out of dodge if you need to. Take weather alerts seriously and evacuate the area you are in if needed.
Do not weather the storm in your RV
Simply put: it is not safe to take shelter in an RV during a hurricane. High winds can tip RVs, blow trees on top of them or send debris into the windows. Their structure is just not built to withstand hurricane-force winds. If you are currently camping in an area where a hurricane is forecasted to land, the biggest piece of RV hurricane prep you can take on is getting out of dodge. Pack up and take your RV to a safer area outside of the “cone.”
Storing your RV safely during a hurricane
If you don’t live full-time in your RV, you may choose to weather the storm in your sticks and bricks home while bracing your rig for the impact outdoors. There are a few steps you can take to ensure your home on wheels is still in tact when the storm quiets.
Remove valuables from your rig
Truth be told, RVs are vulnerable during storms. Don’t risk anything and instead, take any important items out of your RV and store them inside. Make sure you bring in the vehicle titles, insurance information, driver’s licenses and any other important documents. If you have any valuable possessions such as heirlooms or expensive technology or cooking appliances, bring those inside your home as well.
Park it safely
If you can put your RV in an enclosed storage facility during a storm, that’s the best thing you can do for RV hurricane prep. However, not everyone has access to a facility like that, so if you must leave your RV outside, try to park it next to a building to at least partly shield it from wind gusts. Try to pick a spot that does not have branches hanging overhead, or cut down loose branches before the storm. Make sure your parking spot is level.
Create an inventory of what’s inside
Just in case things go awry, it’s helpful to have a list of what was inside your RV before the storm. This is an extremely important part of RV hurricane prep if you need to file an RV insurance claim. Create a list of what’s there just in case damage or looters come your way.
Check your seals
Even if winds don’t get too bad, there’s sure to be excessive rain anytime you’re in the path of a hurricane or tropical storm. The biggest thing you can do is guard against water damage. Check your seals ahead of time to insure your RV won’t leak during the hurricane. Checking seals is one aspect of our 45-point inspections.
Fill your tanks
Yes, all of them! Fuel is always hard to come by when a storm is rolling in, and even more so after the storm has wrapped up. If for any reason you need to take your RV and leave, you want to have the fuel (and propane) to be able to do so. Moreover, more weight in your RV helps to anchor it down in the wind. That’s why you should also empty all of your water holding tanks and fill them with fresh water for the duration of the storm. Weighing down your RV however you can is an essential part of RV hurricane prep.
Invest in great RV insurance
As much effort as we put into RV hurricane prep, sometimes we’re no match for Mother Nature. When RV damage happens, you want to have RV insurance you can rely on. We work with many different RV insurance companies in our repair department – you just want to make sure your insurance has the coverage you need! If you own an RV in central Florida, it’s important to have enough insurance to cover natural disaster damage like that from hurricanes. They are way too common here to be ignored!
What to do if your RV is damaged in a hurricane
If your RV is the unfortunate recipient of hurricane damage, we’re here to help. Our RV service technicians are experts in fixing a myriad of RV issues and we can help diagnose the problem and work with your insurance to get it fixed. Weather disasters happen, so don’t stress! KA RV Repair & Sales will help get you back on the road.