TLDR
- Florida summer storage is harder on RVs than northern winters
- Heat, humidity, mold, and pests are the four enemies
- Vent fans and desiccant beat running the AC for 5 months
- Hurricane prep matters - secure loose items and consider straps
- Call 772-276-6465 for pre-storage service appointments
Most of our Port St. Lucie customers are seasonal residents - the snowbird community in PSL Village, PGA Village, and Sandpiper Bay swells from October through April, then the rigs sit through summer while owners head back to Michigan, Ohio, and Quebec. Florida summer storage is brutal: 95F days, 80% humidity, hurricane season from June through November, and palmetto bugs the size of golf carts. Skip these prep steps and you come back to mold, dead batteries, and worse.
Step 1: The Roof and Seals Check
Before you leave, inspect every roof penetration. Florida summer storms drop 4 inches of rain in an hour - any failed seal lets water into the rig that won't dry out for months. We do pre-storage seal service appointments throughout April and May for snowbirds heading out.
Apply a fresh bead of Dicor self-leveling sealant on any cracked spots. Skip this step and discover a soft floor in October.
Step 2: Humidity Control
Florida humidity will mold an RV interior in 6 weeks if there's no air circulation. The cheap fix is two 12V Maxxair vent fans on opposite ends of the rig, running on a small solar panel through the summer. Total cost: $200, total operating cost: $0.
Add desiccant tubs (DampRid or generic equivalent) in cabinets, the bathroom, and behind the fridge. Replace tubs every 4 to 6 weeks if you have someone checking the rig.
Step 3: Pest Control
Steel wool or copper mesh in every gap an inch wide or larger - water inlet, sewer connection, propane locker, slide-out gaps, AC ductwork. Palmetto bugs find every opening. Rodents come for the wiring insulation.
Peppermint oil cotton balls scattered through the rig are the cheapest deterrent. Fresh Cab pouches last 3 months. Avoid mothballs - they leave a smell that takes weeks to clear out.
Step 4: Battery and Electrical
Disconnect the house battery negative terminal (or use the battery cutoff switch). Remove the battery if storing on the chassis is feasible - take it to a buddy's garage with a maintainer. A flooded lead-acid sitting at 80F for 5 months will sulfate badly.
Lithium batteries can sit at 50% state of charge for the season without harm. Just disconnect to prevent parasitic drain. See our lithium upgrade guide for storage best practices on LiFePO4.
Step 5: Hurricane Prep and Final Walkthrough
Park away from trees, especially the tall pines along Crosstown Parkway and US-1. Remove or secure all awnings, loose patio gear, and roof attachments. For Class A motorhomes parked in driveways across Tradition or PGA Village, ground anchors and tie-downs are inexpensive insurance against summer thunderstorms with 80mph gusts. Final walkthrough: shut off propane at the tank, close all vents and slides, leave the rig sealed up. Schedule your pre-storage inspection by calling 772-276-6465. We do snowbird send-off appointments through May.