Winter RV Storage in Lancaster County: How to Prep Your RV and Choose an Indoor Unit

Scott Garber • October 26, 2026

Quick Summary

Get your RV through winter in three steps

  1. Winterize the plumbing

    Drain every tank and line, then add RV antifreeze so nothing freezes and cracks.

  2. Clean it out

    Remove food, prop the fridge open, and shut down propane, power, and batteries.

  3. Park it inside before the first hard freeze

    A private, locked unit keeps snow, ice, and winter sun off the roof, seals, and tires.

2 locations
Mount Joy and Elizabethtown
24/7 access
At Milton Grove Rd
1 year+
Rate locked in
$0
Move-in fees

To get an RV through a Lancaster County winter in good shape, winterize the plumbing, clean it out, and park it inside a private, locked unit before the first hard freeze. Indoor storage keeps snow, ice, and winter sun off the roof, seals, and tires, so your RV is ready to go when camping season returns.

Is Indoor Storage Worth It for an RV Over a Pennsylvania Winter?

For most owners, yes. A Pennsylvania winter brings repeated freeze and thaw cycles, snow loads, and months of low sun, and an RV that sits outside takes all of it. Inside a fully enclosed unit, your roof seams, slide toppers, and rubber seals stay dry, and your tires sit out of the weather.



Here is how the three common options compare for a long winter layup:

Outdoor, covered, or indoor: how they compare over a winter layup
What you get Outdoor lot Covered (roof only) Fully enclosed indoor unit Best
Snow and ice on the roof Yes, you clear it Mostly blocked Fully blocked
Wind-driven rain and snow Exposed Partly exposed Fully blocked
Sun on tires, decals, and paint Exposed Reduced Fully blocked
Private, locked space No No Yes
Risk of dings from neighboring rigs Higher Higher None, your unit is yours alone

Our indoor RV storage at Milton Grove Rd in Mount Joy uses individual units with their own roll-up doors, so no one parks close enough to leave a mark on your rig. A unit is also better protection than an RV cover, which can trap moisture and rub the finish when the wind picks up.


There is a financial side, too. Some insurance providers reduce premiums for vehicles stored inside, so ask your agent whether indoor storage changes your rate.

How Do You Winterize an RV Before Putting It in Storage?

Winterizing means getting every drop of water out of the plumbing, protecting the systems that will sit idle, and leaving nothing inside that attracts pests or mildew. Your owner's manual is the final word for your model, but most owners follow these steps:

  1. Dump and flush the holding tanks. Empty the black and gray tanks at a dump station and rinse them, then drain the fresh water tank.
  2. Drain the water heater. Turn it off and let it cool fully before opening the drain. Then set the water heater bypass so antifreeze does not fill the tank.
  3. Clear the water lines. Blow the lines out with low-pressure air, pump RV antifreeze (not automotive antifreeze) through the system, or do both. Open each faucet, shower, and outdoor spray port until antifreeze runs through, and flush the toilet until it appears in the bowl.
  4. Protect the drains. Pour a small amount of RV antifreeze into each sink and shower drain to keep the traps from freezing.
  5. Empty the kitchen. Remove all food, wipe down the fridge, and prop the fridge and freezer doors open so they do not grow mildew.
  6. Shut down the systems. Close the propane valve at the tank, turn off the main breaker, and disconnect or remove the house batteries.
  7. Check the outside. Retract slides and the awning once they are clean and dry, close roof vents, and set the tires to the pressure your manufacturer recommends.


If you store a boat alongside your RV, the same freeze rules apply to its engine and water systems. Our guide to protecting your boat in Lancaster County walks through boat prep step by step.

What Should You Look for in an Indoor RV Storage Unit Before Winter?

Indoor RV units at each location

860 Milton Grove Rd

Mount Joy

Door
Individually lockable roll-up, 12 or 14 ft wide, 14 ft high
Size
Starts at 14.5 x 39 ft
Power
110 volt, 15 amp electric with timer-controlled lights
Access
24/7
Security
40 security cameras with 24 hour motion activation
Heat
Premier heated units available

676 Radio Rd

Elizabethtown

Door
Confirm at showing
Size
Large RV units start at 16 x 50 ft
Power
Lights and electric, with an outlet for a battery maintainer
Access
Daily, 6 AM to 9 PM
Security
Fully fenced and gated for renters only, with motion-detected cameras
Heat
Premier heated units available

Before your showing: measure your RV's height to the top of the air conditioner or antenna, not just the roofline, along with its full length and width.

Look for a door your rig clears, a unit long enough for the full length of your RV, power for a battery maintainer, and access hours that fit how often you plan to visit. Security and heat round out the list.


Here is what to check on your showing, and what we offer at each location:

  • Door clearance. Milton Grove Rd units have individually lockable roll-up doors that are 12 or 14 feet wide and 14 feet high. Measure your RV's height to the top of the air conditioner or antenna, not just the roofline.
  • Unit length. Mount Joy units start at 14.5 x 39 feet, and our large RV units in Elizabethtown start at 16 x 50 feet. Our article on what fits in large storage units explains how to measure.
  • Power. Milton Grove Rd units include 110 volt, 15 amp electrical service and timer-controlled lights. Radio Rd's large bays include lights and electric, which gives you an outlet for a battery maintainer over the winter.
  • Access. Milton Grove Rd is open 24/7. Radio Rd is open daily from 6 AM to 9 PM.
  • Security. Milton Grove Rd has 40 security cameras with 24 hour motion activation. Radio Rd is fully fenced and gated so only renters can enter, with a motion-detected camera system.
  • Heat. Premier heated units are available at both locations if you want extra protection on the coldest nights.

What Affects the Cost of Winter RV Storage?

The price of an indoor RV unit depends mainly on its size, its location, and whether you choose a heated unit. A longer unit or a premier heated unit costs more than a standard bay, and pricing differs between our Mount Joy and Elizabethtown sites.



A few other details shape what you pay over time:

  • Agreement length. Our large RV units are rented on annual agreements. Your space stays yours year-round, so you are not searching for winter storage again next fall, and you have a place to keep the rig between summer trips.
  • Rate increases. Your rate is locked in for at least one year, so you will not see a surprise increase midway through the winter. Our article on why storage unit rates go up covers the questions to ask any facility before you sign.
  • Move-in fees. We charge zero move-in fees.
  • Insurance. Ask your provider whether storing inside lowers your premium. That savings can offset part of the cost of the unit.


For current prices, search open units at 860 Milton Grove Rd or 676 Radio Rd, or call us and we will walk you through what is open today.

When Should You Move Your RV Into Storage for the Winter?

Snow-covered RV parked in a snowy campsite with trees in the background

Plan to have your RV winterized and parked before overnight temperatures start dropping below freezing. One cold night is enough to crack a water line that still holds water, so it is better to be a week early than a day late.


Book your unit before you winterize, not after. Large RV units are in steady demand, and the size you need may have a waitlist by late fall. Our office and showings are by appointment only, so schedule a time to see the unit while you still have flexibility.


Here is a simple timeline that works for most owners:

  1. Early fall: Measure your RV, schedule a showing, and reserve your unit.
  2. After your last trip: Winterize, clean, and empty the RV.
  3. Before the first hard freeze: Drive it in, connect your battery maintainer, and lock up.
  4. Through the winter: Stop by now and then to check tire pressure and look for any sign of pests or moisture.


Get Your RV Inside Before the First Freeze


Bring your RV's length, width, and height, and we will help you match it to the right unit in Mount Joy or Elizabethtown. Call (717) 653-1988 to schedule your showing.




RV Storage FAQs

Questions About Winter RV Storage

Do I need an RV cover if my RV is stored indoors?

No. A fully enclosed unit keeps snow, rain, and sun off your RV, so a cover adds little. Covers can also hold moisture against the roof and rub the finish. If you want to limit dust, a light, breathable cover is the most you need inside a unit.

Can I get to my RV during the winter?

Yes. Milton Grove Rd in Mount Joy offers 24/7 access, and Radio Rd in Elizabethtown is open daily from 6 AM to 9 PM. Stopping by once in a while to check tire pressure and the interior helps you catch small problems before spring.

Where can I store patio furniture and lawn equipment for the winter?

Our drive-up units on Fairview St in Mount Joy work well for patio sets, grills, mowers, and summer gear. You can pull up to the door and unload straight from your truck. Drain the fuel from mowers and other gas equipment before you store them.

Can I store my RV and my boat with you?

Yes. We store motorhomes, fifth wheels, travel trailers, campers, speed boats, pontoons, and classic cars. Each one goes in its own individually locked unit, so you choose the size that fits each vehicle.

Contact Garber Self Storage