Waking Up Your RV, Boat, and Camping Gear

If you’ve lived through a Michigan winter, you know the feeling.

One day you’re scraping ice off the windshield, and the next you catch a slightly warmer breeze and suddenly start thinking… “Is it time yet?”

Not quite. But it’s close enough that many of us start doing the annual garage shuffle—moving snow shovels aside, peeking under dusty tarps, and rediscovering camping gear we forgot we owned.

Spring cleaning isn’t just about the house. Around here, it’s about getting our adventure gear ready—boats, RVs, trailers, kayaks, coolers, camping totes, fishing gear, and everything else that makes summer in Michigan so great.

Before the lakes fill with boats and campgrounds start buzzing, now is the perfect time to start dusting things off and getting organized for the season ahead.

Let’s talk about how to do it—and have a little fun while we’re at it.

The Annual “What’s in This Bin?” Garage Moment

Every spring starts the same way.

You open the garage, stare at the mountain of gear, and wonder how on earth it multiplied over winter.

There’s always:

• Three chairs that technically still work

• A cooler you don’t remember buying

• Half a bag of marshmallows that somehow survived since last July

• One lonely flip flop with no partner

And somewhere buried under it all… the camping gear you actually need.

Spring cleaning is the perfect excuse to pull everything out and reset your system before the season gets busy.

Quick garage reset tips:

• Sort gear into categories: camping, boating, fishing, RV supplies

• Toss broken gear you’ve been “meaning to fix” since 2019

• Label bins so you don’t dig for things all summer

• Put frequently used items near the front

Your future self—standing in the garage at 10pm the night before a camping trip—will thank you.

Dusting Off the Camping Gear

Michigan camping season has a way of sneaking up fast. One warm weekend and suddenly everyone’s booking campsites and firing up camp stoves.

Before that first trip, it’s worth doing a quick gear check.

Things to check now:

Tents

• Unroll them and check for mildew or small tears

• Make sure all poles and stakes are still there

• Give them time to air out after winter storage

Sleeping Bags

• Shake them out and let them breathe

• Wash if needed (winter storage can make them musty)

Camp Kitchen Gear

• Check propane levels

• Clean coolers

• Toss any “mystery spices” that hardened over winter

Lighting

• Replace batteries in lanterns and headlamps

• Test flashlights now—not at the campsite

You don’t want to discover a missing tent pole after the sun sets at the campground.

Trust us.

Getting the Boat Ready for Lake Days

There’s something magical about that first boat day of the season.

The lake is calm, the air still has a little spring chill, and everyone remembers why Michigan summers are unbeatable.

But before launching, your boat deserves a little wake-up routine.

Spring boat prep checklist

1. Remove the cover and inspect everything

Look for:

• Moisture

• Critters that thought your boat was a winter cabin

• Loose wiring

2. Check the battery

Batteries often lose charge over winter. Recharge or replace if needed.

3. Inspect fuel lines and fluids

Old fuel and cracked lines can cause problems. Replace anything questionable.

4. Test safety equipment

Make sure you have:

• Life jackets

• Fire extinguisher

• Horn or whistle

• Navigation lights

5. Give it a good cleaning

A simple wash goes a long way toward getting excited for the season.

Bonus tip: cleaning the boat is scientifically proven to make you want to go boating immediately.

We may not have official data on that, but we’re pretty confident.

Waking the RV Up from Winter Hibernation

If your RV has been sitting through a Michigan winter, spring is when it finally gets to stretch its legs again.

Opening it up for the season is a little like opening a cabin that’s been closed all winter.

There’s always a moment when you step inside and think:

“Smells like adventure… and maybe a little storage.”

Important RV Spring prep steps

Check for leaks or seals

Michigan winters can be tough on seals around windows and roofs. Look for cracks or water damage.

Flush the water system

If you winterized your RV (which you should!), now’s the time to flush out antifreeze and sanitize the system.

Check tires

Cold weather can cause pressure loss. Inspect for cracks and make sure they’re properly inflated.

Test appliances

Run the fridge, stove, and furnace to make sure everything still works.

Inspect the battery and electrical system

Recharge or replace batteries and check that lights and outlets work.

And of course…

Give the inside a good spring cleaning.

Nothing kicks off road trip dreams like a freshly cleaned RV.

Things to Watch Out for When Opening Up for Spring

Michigan winters are great for snowmobiling, but they can be rough on stored gear.

Here are a few things people commonly run into during spring prep.

Critters

Mice and small animals love cozy winter hiding spots.

Check for:

• Nesting materials

• Chewed wires

• Droppings in compartments

Mold or mildew

Moisture trapped during winter can create mildew, especially in tents, boat covers, and RV cushions.

Air everything out early.

Forgotten food

Yes, this happens more often than anyone admits.

Check coolers, storage bins, and RV cabinets for snacks that accidentally overwintered.

You may discover things that should not be discovered.

The Best Part: Getting Excited for the Season

Spring prep isn’t just about maintenance.

It’s about getting excited again!!

You start remembering:

• Campfires at sunset

• Early mornings on the lake

• Weekend road trips

• Kids jumping off the dock

• That first cold drink after setting up camp

Suddenly the long Michigan winter doesn’t feel quite so long anymore.

A Little Extra Space Makes Spring Cleaning Easier

One thing many outdoor families realize every spring: Adventure gear takes up a lot of room.

Boats, RVs, trailers, jet skis, and all the equipment that goes with them can quickly crowd garages and driveways.

Having a dedicated place to store those bigger toys makes it a lot easier to keep your garage organized—and your gear protected—until the next adventure.

That’s where places like Red Run Storage come in. With plenty of room for RVs, boats, and trailers, your outdoor equipment can have the garage!

Spring Is Almost Here

We’re not quite there yet.

But the signs are starting.

The snow melts a little faster. The days get a little longer. And suddenly everyone’s talking about camping trips, lake days, and summer road adventures again.

So, open the garage, dust off the gear, and start the spring cleaning.

Adventure season in Michigan is right around the corner—and it’s going to be a good one.

What are you excited for the most this season?? Drop it in the comments!