Community Forums

bucci4141 · 10-25-2024, 05:36 AM

Hello,
This will be our first winter owning our 2014 Jayco Greyhawk 29 MV. I live in Ohio and will be storing outside. I will be running the RV at least once per month for a limited time just to keep things in order. My question is should I remove the coach battery and store it inside?

SafariBen · 10-25-2024, 07:58 AM

No reason to. If it's lead, then fully charged it won't freeze down to something well below -50. Charge it up fully now, disconnect the ground(s) and recharge it again in the spring before using it. If it's Li, as far as I can tell, you can still store it in typical winter temps at 50-70% charge.

I would not start it unless it's going to be driven until hot. Disconnect the chassis battery ground the same way, and charge it before starting in the spring.

zrock2010 · 10-25-2024, 08:26 AM

no need to remove as stated above, if it were me i would just toss a battery maintainer on them, or disconnect the ground and you will be good.

I agree with above as well about starting it up once a month unless your going to let it run for some time to get everything up to operating temps. Not reaching operating temps you will just introduce condensation into things.

Mark_K5LXP · 10-25-2024, 09:07 AM

I don't ascribe the monthly starting and running protocol unless you actually have a need to drive it somewhere. Park it, charge the batteries then disconnect them, and you're good until spring. If you have AC power available putting a maintainer on the (disconnected) batteries is ideal.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

Soppy · 10-25-2024, 10:47 AM

Just make sure the house and chassis batteries are fully charged, then disconnect them by removing the cable or a master disconnect switch. Full charged batteries will easily survive 6 months in the coldest of weather. My batteries are 16 yrs old and easily survive the cold Northern Ontario winters untouched.

bucci4141 · 10-25-2024, 01:16 PM

Doesn't running the engine every so often during the winter make sense regardless of if it's an RV or not? Just curious.

SafariBen · 10-25-2024, 03:05 PM

Why? The most common reasons are to keep the oil distributed, and to drive off condensation. The oil drip back to the pan within a day, and the oil film isn't going to change much from one day to five months. The condensation shouldn't be a problem in most climates, if it is, plug in a block heater for a day, that will dry the engine without adding more moisture from combustion.

glwinger · 10-25-2024, 06:24 PM

In cold weather, unless you get the engine up to operating temps and driving it may do more harm than good. Idling is the worst thing you can do. Moisture is drawn in again as the engine cools and condenses. Also, the transmission fluid does not properly circulate. A half to one hour drive is better than just starting the engine and idling.
One other thing. It is a good idea to have the oil changed before prolonged storage. The oil is full of combustion hydrocarbons that turn acidic.

I ride a motorcycle and and this is spelled out in the owners manual.
This is also listed online. Search for oil change before storage.