RV Winter Storage Tips: How to Prepare Your RV for a North Dakota Winter
North Dakota winters can be hard on an RV, especially when it will sit unused for several months. A little preparation before storage can help protect your RV and make getting back on the road easier when warmer weather returns.
These RV winter storage tips cover the major things to think about before putting your motorhome, travel trailer, fifth wheel, or camper away for the season—from winterizing and battery care to covers and rodent prevention.
Where you store your RV matters too. Storage Kings offers outdoor, enclosed, heated, and large drive-through storage options across our locations. Month-to-month rentals are available at all Storage Kings facilities, making them especially useful when you only need RV storage for the winter season.
You can also explore our Boat & RV Storage options to compare the different ways you can store your RV.
Before choosing enclosed RV storage, measure the complete RV. Include the total length, width, and height along with mirrors, air conditioners, antennas, ladders, and other accessories.
How to Prepare an RV for Winter Storage
Preparing an RV for winter storage starts well before you park it for the season.
Begin by removing food, trash, and anything else that could attract pests. Clean the interior, empty the refrigerator and cabinets, and make sure the RV is dry before closing it up.
Your RV's plumbing system also needs proper winterization before freezing temperatures arrive. The exact procedure depends on your RV, so follow the winterization instructions provided by the RV, appliance, and plumbing-system manufacturers.
If you're unsure how to properly winterize the system, consider having a qualified RV service professional handle it.
Before putting your RV into winter storage:
- Remove food, trash, and other items that could attract pests.
- Clean and dry the interior.
- Empty the refrigerator and cabinets.
- Winterize the plumbing system according to manufacturer instructions.
- Inspect the roof, seals, windows, and doors.
- Check the tires and exterior for issues that should be addressed before storage.
- Measure the complete RV before choosing an enclosed storage space.
Taking care of these items before the RV sits for several months can help make spring considerably easier.
RV Winter Storage Covers
Whether you need an RV winter storage cover depends partly on where the RV will be stored.
For outdoor winter storage, a properly fitted RV cover designed for your type of vehicle can provide an additional barrier from snow, ice, dirt, and debris.
Avoid simply wrapping an RV with an inappropriate material that could trap moisture or damage the exterior. Follow the RV and cover manufacturer's recommendations for installation, ventilation, and securing the cover.
Storing your RV indoors changes the equation. Inside a fully enclosed unit, the building itself provides protection from direct snow, ice, wind, and sun.
That's one of the biggest differences between outdoor and enclosed RV storage during a North Dakota winter.
RV Battery During Winter Storage
Your RV battery during winter storage deserves attention before the RV sits unused for months.
Cold weather and long periods without use can affect batteries, and different battery types may have different storage and maintenance requirements.
Before storing your RV, check the battery manufacturer's recommendations for winter storage, charging, disconnection, and maintenance. If the battery should be removed, follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe removal and storage.
Don't assume that parking your RV indoors or in a heated space eliminates the need for proper battery preparation.
If your RV has multiple batteries or a more complicated electrical system, consult the owner's manual or a qualified RV technician rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all winter procedure.
How to Keep Mice Out of an RV During Winter Storage
An RV sitting unused can provide an attractive place for mice and other pests to seek shelter during a North Dakota winter.
Start by removing the things that attract them.
Before storing your RV:
- Remove food, crumbs, trash, and pet food.
- Clean floors, cabinets, drawers, and storage compartments.
- Remove unnecessary paper products and other potential nesting materials.
- Inspect the RV for possible entry points.
- Pay particular attention around plumbing, wiring, compartments, doors, and other openings.
Address potential entry points according to the RV manufacturer's recommendations, and don't block vents, drains, exhaust systems, or other openings that need to remain unobstructed for safety or proper operation.
No storage method can guarantee that an RV will never encounter pests, but removing food sources and reducing appropriate entry points can make the RV less inviting.
Should You Store an RV Outside During Winter?
Outdoor RV storage can be a practical and affordable option if the RV is properly prepared for winter.
At Storage Kings Bismarck, reference pricing is approximately $50 per month for outdoor parking and $70 per month for a concrete pad.
At Storage Kings Fargo, concrete-pad storage is approximately $100 per month.
Bismarck Outdoor Parking
Approximately $50/month
Bismarck Concrete Pad
Approximately $70/month
Fargo Concrete Pad
Approximately $100/month
Outdoor storage keeps the RV out of your driveway or yard while giving you a dedicated place to keep it during the off-season.
The tradeoff is exposure. An RV stored outdoors can still encounter snow, ice, wind, sun, and changing temperatures, so proper winterization and exterior preparation remain important.
All pricing is estimated and may change based on current rates and promotions.
Is Indoor RV Storage Better for Winter?
For many RV owners, enclosed storage offers an additional level of protection during winter.
Instead of sitting directly outside in snow, ice, wind, and sun, the RV is stored inside a building.
Storage Kings offers large enclosed units at select locations. Depending on your RV's dimensions, options may include 14x40, 14x50, 18x50, and larger spaces.
At Fargo, larger RV-friendly options include 18x50 units, 18x55 drive-through storage, and 24x50 drive-through storage.
The best choice isn't automatically the largest unit. Measure your RV first and compare its complete dimensions with the unit dimensions and overhead-door opening.
Drive-Through RV Winter Storage in Fargo
If you have a large RV, maneuverability can matter almost as much as the size of the storage unit.
Storage Kings Fargo offers 18x55 and 24x50 drive-through storage.
18x55 Drive-Through
Approximately 990 square feet
Estimated price: approximately $825/month
24x50 Drive-Through
Approximately 1,200 square feet
The drive-through configuration can simplify parking a large motorhome, fifth wheel, travel trailer, or camper because you can enter through one side and exit through the other rather than relying solely on backing into a traditional unit.
For a large RV, easier access can be just as important as extra square footage.
Before choosing a drive-through unit, measure the complete RV and compare its length, width, and height with the unit dimensions and door openings.
What About Heated RV Winter Storage?
Storage Kings Fargo also offers select 18x50 and 20x50 heated storage.
18x50 Heated Storage
Approximately 900 square feet
20x50 Heated Storage
Approximately 1,000 square feet
Heated storage can be attractive to RV owners who want their vehicle indoors during a North Dakota winter.
Heated storage is not a replacement for proper RV winterization.
The RV's plumbing, batteries, fluids, appliances, and other systems should still be prepared according to manufacturer recommendations and the conditions in which the vehicle will be stored.
How Much Does RV Winter Storage Cost?
At Storage Kings, estimated RV storage pricing ranges from approximately $50 per month for basic outdoor parking in Bismarck to $800+ per month for large enclosed storage in Fargo.
- Outdoor options: approximately $50–$100/month depending on location and parking type
- 14x40–14x50 enclosed storage: approximately $375–$495/month depending on location
- Fargo 18x50 storage: approximately $735–$825/month depending on the specific unit and storage type
- Fargo 18x55 drive-through: approximately $825/month
The right option depends on your RV's dimensions, the amount of protection you want, and your budget.
For a more detailed breakdown, see our RV Storage Cost guide.
All prices are estimates and may change based on current rates and promotions.
How Long Should You Rent RV Winter Storage?
You don't necessarily need to sign a long-term contract just because you're putting your RV away for winter.
Storage Kings offers month-to-month rentals at all facilities.
That gives RV owners the flexibility to rent for the portion of the year when they actually need storage rather than choosing a predetermined long-term rental period.
Your exact storage season will depend on when you stop using the RV and when you're comfortable putting it back on the road.
Make your winter-storage plans before freezing weather arrives. That gives you time to properly prepare your RV and compare storage options that fit its dimensions.
RV Winter Storage Checklist
Before putting your RV away for winter, make sure you've addressed the basics.
RV winter storage checklist:
- Remove food, trash, and anything that could attract pests.
- Clean and dry the RV interior.
- Empty the refrigerator and cabinets.
- Properly winterize the plumbing system according to manufacturer recommendations.
- Prepare the battery according to the battery manufacturer's recommendations.
- Inspect for possible pest entry points.
- Check the roof, seals, windows, doors, tires, and exterior.
- If storing outdoors, determine whether an appropriate RV cover is recommended.
- Measure the complete RV before choosing an enclosed storage unit.
Finally, verify the storage space and overhead-door opening before moving your RV into an enclosed unit.
A few inches can make a major difference. Measure the complete length, width, and height of your motorhome, fifth wheel, travel trailer, or camper, including fixed accessories and equipment.
Find RV Winter Storage in Fargo, ND
Getting your RV ready for winter is only part of the equation. You also need somewhere to keep it.
Storage Kings Fargo offers options ranging from concrete-pad RV storage to large enclosed, heated, and drive-through spaces.
For larger RVs, the Fargo property includes 18x50 storage along with 18x55 and 24x50 drive-through units, giving RV owners options beyond traditional self storage.
And with month-to-month rentals, you can choose storage based on the season rather than committing to a long-term rental.
Prepare it. Measure it. Then choose the storage type that makes sense for your RV and budget.
Explore our Boat & RV Storage options, learn more about Storage Kings Fargo , or find pricing and availability by location .
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