The pre-trip prep got most of the attention back in May. The first lake weekend is in the books, the first RV trip went fine, and now your rig is sitting in storage between uses. That's where the second half of storage care actually matters — the in-season checks that catch problems early and keep small things from compounding into Labor Day.
We're Newton-Conover Self Storage, locally owned and operated on N. Main Ave. between Hickory and Newton, just off the I-40 corridor. Here's what we'd be checking on a stored rig right now, mid-June through August, between trips.
Heat changes tire pressure in both directions. A tire properly inflated at 70°F in May reads differently sitting in 95°F July sun. More importantly, tires lose air over weeks of storage — not dramatically, but measurably. By mid-summer, a rig that hasn't been on the road in 3 to 4 weeks is often 5 to 10 PSI low without anyone noticing.
Low tires under a heavy stored load create flat spots. Flat spots create vibration the next time you tow. Towing on flat-spotted tires accelerates wear and, in worst cases, throws balance off enough to cause structural strain on the trailer or RV frame.
Check pressure between trips. Top off as needed. It takes five minutes and saves real money.
We covered the long-term battery question in our pre-season piece. The in-season version is simpler: if your battery is still in the rig and connected, drive over and start the engine (or generator, for RVs) once every 2 to 3 weeks. A short run cycles the battery and the fluid systems.
If you can't get over to the unit that often, disconnect the battery and check voltage on a multimeter when you're nearby. Catching a slow-discharge problem in July is much easier than discovering a dead battery the night before a Labor Day trip.
Catawba County humidity is real in July and August. A sealed-up RV or boat with no air movement traps moisture inside. Moisture finds the lowest point and the most absorbent surface — fabric, wood, upholstery, mattresses — and starts growing what you don't want.
A few low-effort fixes:
If your rig already smells musty when you open the door, that's the early sign. Address it now — by August, mildew that started in June will be visible.
Mid-summer is when mice raise families. A rig that was clean in May can be a different story by July. Look for:
If you find evidence, deal with it before the next trip. Mice cause real damage to wiring and upholstery, and the longer they're in residence, the more expensive the repair gets.
If you're using a cover or tarp, mid-summer is when UV exposure compounds. Check the cover for:
A degraded cover is worse than no cover — it traps heat and moisture against the rig while pretending to protect it.
A practical mid-summer mindset: every visit to the unit is a checkup, not just a trip start.
These habits compound. The rigs that come out of storage clean at Labor Day are the ones whose owners have been doing 10-minute checks since June.
We're Newton-Conover Self Storage at 2423 N. Main Ave., just north of downtown Newton and a short drive from I-40. Locally owned and operated. No bait and switch on rates — what we quote is what you pay.
We offer drive-up self-storage units and open outdoor parking for boats, RVs, and trailers. Gate open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. We don't offer covered parking, climate control, or electrical hookups — so plan around that if your rig needs a battery tender or weather protection beyond a quality cover.
If you're between trips and want to talk through whether your current setup is working for summer, give us a call at (828) 464-5111.
The first half of the season is about pre-trip prep. The second half is about what you do between trips.