8 Tips to Prepare Your RV for Hurricane

You probably don’t realize that hurricane-force winds can flip an RV weighing over 10,000 pounds in seconds. When severe weather threatens, your home on wheels becomes incredibly vulnerable without proper preparation. The difference between minor damage and total loss often comes down to eight essential steps you’ll need to take before the storm arrives. Each decision you make in those vital hours beforehand will determine whether you’re dealing with insurance claims or simply cleaning up afterward.

Key Points

• Remove and secure all exterior items including awnings, furniture, and accessories to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles.
• Reinforce RV tie-downs with additional straps at 45-degree angles anchored to concrete or permanent points for maximum stability.
• Pack emergency supplies including 7 days of food, water, medications, and fully charged communication devices in waterproof containers.
• Plan and practice evacuation routes 100+ miles inland, keeping fuel tanks full and identifying RV-friendly shelters along the way.
• Document your RV thoroughly with photos and videos before the storm for insurance purposes and secure all interior items.

Secure All Exterior Items and Awnings

When hurricane winds start picking up speed, any loose items around your RV can quickly become dangerous projectiles that’ll damage your rig or someone else’s property. Start by removing or securing everything outside your RV, including chairs, tables, grills, decorations, and hoses. Store smaller items inside your RV or a secure storage compartment.

Your awning requires special attention since it’s designed to catch wind. Retract all awnings completely, including slide-out toppers if possible. If you can’t retract them, secure them tightly with additional tie-downs and remove the fabric if it’s detachable.

Don’t forget about exterior accessories like bike racks, satellite dishes, and solar panels – either remove them or secure them with heavy-duty straps and anchors. If you have any watercraft stored outside, consider whether renting or buying a more suitable vessel for post-storm fishing trips might be more practical than securing your current boat.

Create a Comprehensive Evacuation Plan

Since hurricanes can change direction unexpectedly and intensify rapidly, you’ll need a well-thought-out evacuation plan that you can execute quickly when authorities issue evacuation orders.

Map out multiple routes to inland destinations, avoiding coastal highways that flood easily.

Identify RV-friendly hotels, campgrounds, or friends’ properties at least 100 miles inland as potential safe havens.

Keep your fuel tank topped off during hurricane season and locate gas stations along your evacuation routes.

Pack essential documents in waterproof containers—insurance papers, identification, medical records, and vehicle registration.

Create a checklist for quick departure: disconnect utilities, secure loose items, and load emergency supplies.

Practice your evacuation plan so you’re not scrambling during stressful conditions when every minute counts.

Consider evacuating to mountainous regions where you might even explore glacier climbing trails as an alternative outdoor activity once the hurricane season passes.

Strengthen Your RV’s Anchoring System

While evacuation remains your safest option, you’ll want to secure your RV properly if you’re riding out the storm or simply can’t evacuate in time. Standard stabilizer jacks won’t cut it against hurricane-force winds.

Install heavy-duty tie-down straps or chains at all four corners, anchoring them to concrete blocks, auger anchors, or permanent tie-down points. Position straps at 45-degree angles for maximum stability.

Remove your awning completely—don’t just retract it. Hurricane winds can catch rolled awnings and cause catastrophic damage.

Secure or remove external accessories like grills, chairs, and decorations that become projectiles.

Double-check all connections and ensure your RV’s lowest profile faces the expected wind direction.

Just like with first-time camping, proper preparation helps overcome fears and ensures a safer experience when facing challenging weather conditions.

These preparations considerably improve your chances of weathering the storm.

Protect Windows and Vents From Debris

Flying debris poses one of the greatest threats to your RV’s windows and ventilation systems during a hurricane. Install storm shutters or plywood covers over all windows before the storm arrives. You can’t rely on tape alone—it won’t prevent shattering from impact.

For roof vents, remove or secure the covers tightly to prevent them from becoming projectiles. Cover exterior vents with plywood or specialized vent covers designed for storms.

Don’t forget your awning windows and skylights—they’re particularly vulnerable. Remove any loose items from around your RV that could become airborne missiles, including chairs, grills, and decorations.

Pre-cut plywood sheets to fit your specific windows for quick installation when storms threaten. After the storm passes and you return to camping adventures, you’ll appreciate having taken these protective measures to keep your RV intact.

Safeguard Interior Belongings and Electronics

After securing your RV’s exterior from flying debris, you’ll need to protect everything inside from the storm’s violent shaking and potential water intrusion. Hurricane winds can transform your RV into a giant shake-and-rattle machine, turning loose items into dangerous projectiles.

Pack away breakables and secure all electronics in cushioned storage compartments. Remove items from high shelves and countertops, storing them in lower, more stable locations.

Essential interior protection steps:

1. Disconnect and store electronics – Unplug TVs, computers, and small appliances, wrapping them in towels or bubble wrap.
2. Secure cabinet contents – Use bungee cords or latches to prevent doors from flying open.
3. Waterproof important documents – Store papers, insurance policies, and registration in sealed plastic bags.

These preparations prevent costly damage and potential injuries during the storm. With current economic conditions affecting RV dealers’ inventory and pricing, protecting your investment becomes even more crucial for avoiding expensive replacement costs.

Prepare Emergency Supplies and Communication Tools

Once your RV’s interior is secured, you’ll need to assemble critical emergency supplies that’ll keep you safe and connected during the hurricane’s aftermath. Stock up on at least seven days’ worth of non-perishable food and water—one gallon per person daily.

Pack a thorough first aid kit, flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio for weather updates.

Don’t forget essential medications, personal hygiene items, and important documents in waterproof containers. Charge all electronic devices and invest in portable power banks or a solar charger.

Keep cash on hand since ATMs might be down. Install weather alert apps on your phone and consider a two-way radio for local communication when cell towers fail.

These supplies become lifelines when standard services aren’t available.

Document Your RV and Belongings for Insurance

Before hurricane winds arrive, you’ll want to create a thorough visual record of your RV and everything inside it. Insurance claims go much smoother when you’ve got solid documentation proving what you owned before the storm hit.

Here’s what you need to capture:

1. Video walkthrough – Record a slow, detailed video of your RV’s exterior, interior, and all storage compartments while narrating what you’re showing.
2. Close-up photos – Take clear pictures of valuable items, electronics, appliances, and any existing damage with timestamps enabled.
3. Written inventory – List serial numbers, purchase dates, and approximate values for major items.

Store these records in cloud storage or email them to yourself. Don’t keep copies only on devices that might get damaged.

This documentation becomes your lifeline when filing insurance claims later. Just like with any camping experience, proper preparation and organization of your essentials can make all the difference when facing unexpected challenges.

Monitor Weather Updates and Execute Your Plan Early

Hurricane conditions can change rapidly, so you’ll need to stay glued to reliable weather sources and act decisively when it’s time to move. Download multiple weather apps like Weather Underground, NOAA Weather Radio, and your local emergency management alerts. Don’t rely on just one source—cross-reference forecasts and watch for sudden track changes.

Execute your evacuation plan when authorities issue the first warnings, not when conditions worsen. Traffic will become nightmarish, fuel stations will run dry, and safe camping spots will fill quickly.

If you’re staying put, secure your RV 48-72 hours before predicted landfall. Remove awnings, retract slides partially, and add extra tie-downs. Remember, it’s easier to change plans early than to scramble when the storm’s bearing down on you.

Consider investing in a weather forecast watch to keep real-time updates accessible on your wrist when smartphone batteries die or cellular service becomes unreliable during severe weather events.

Sum Up

Did you know hurricanes cause over $28 billion in property damage annually? Don’t let your RV become part of that statistic. You’ve got the roadmap now—secure everything outside, strengthen your anchoring, protect those windows, and prep your emergency supplies. Most importantly, don’t wait until the last minute. Start monitoring weather patterns early and execute your evacuation plan when authorities recommend it. Your proactive preparation today could save your home-on-wheels tomorrow.