We're nearing the end of our first cross country journey - now what?

[Silverado333]

Hello Folks!

We left the Seattle area in late August and just crossed into Florida yesterday. Another couple hundred miles tomorrow and we will be home. We plan to store the travel trailer (Imagine 2670MK) for the winter, but we're now in Florida, so it doesn't that that cold - so it may be the case we decide to taker her for a long weekend somewhere nearby - maybe the Keys???

In anywise, we'll button her up for at least a month or so. As we live on a golf course and have to deal with HOA's, we'll have to pay to store her when we're not traveling. What preps do I need to take to leave her stored for a month or two??? What do I need to do with the battery?? Just turn the red knob? Disconnect?? Not sure I would be able to supply a tackle purge, but I just don't know yet.

What about grey & black tanks??

I've heard to locate dryer sheets throughout the rig. Any other tips???

Thanks!
Steve

[SteveTN]

We dump all the tanks and clean the camper before we store it. Once parked in the storage space (ours is not covered) we do the following:
1. Put several large buckets of DampRid inside the camper to keep the humidity down .
2. Open the refrigerator and freezer doors.
3. Put all of the shades down.
4. Turn the main 12V switch to OFF.
5. Hook up a 75W solar charger to the battery to keep it charged up.

I go to storage and check on everything every week or two.

[Silverado333]

75w solar charger?? Did a quick look on Amazon and all I see are 10w???

[traveldawg]

There are a few more threads on this. Here is one.

Here....

Biggest recommendation I have is that you need to do something to keep the humidity out/low. Maybe DampRid or something like that as well a regular visits to inspect for when to change the packs as well as look for invaders (ants, mice and the folks who steel stuff from storage lots).

oh - and keep your refrigerator door open so it doesn't get moldy. No one like moldy provolone.......

[WhittleBurner]

If we were to store our trailer in FL I would be sure every little tiny entry point is seaaled up, storage yards are known for those wonderful
palmetto bugs..(I don't care what you call them they are still cockroaches )

A couple that had just moved in nextdoor were so kind to bring things out of storage to their trailer, opened a rubbermaid bin and it was loaded with the darn creepy things...instead of closing it back up they dumped the bin (not the brightest move). Needless to say all of us around them armed ourselves with pesticides

[SteveTN]

75w solar charger?? Did a quick look on Amazon and all I see are 10w???

My apologies, the one I have is a 50W not 75. What I get for depending on my memory.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

I rewired the solar connector by the battery to the solar panel controller. This is the plug that connects to that.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Silverado333]

My apologies, the one I have is a 50W not 75. What I get for depending on my memory.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

I rewired the solar connector by the battery to the solar panel controller. This is the plug that connects to that.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Steve, where do you put the panel while in use (rig in storage)? On the ground? Roof of rig? Just wondering about security of your equipment?

Thanks,
Steve

[geotex1]

In Florida, follow all previous advice. Nice thing about FL, the temperate environment is quite gentle on batteries. Provided your topped up in charge and distilled, simply unhook it and you'll be fine for a short nap versus serious winter hibernation. Do as everyone else said and seal up everything, and be sure to remove all traces of food (even dried like pasta) and sugar. Be proactive and leave ant baits around the slide outs and the door. Liberal desiccant - anhydrous calcium chloride - in a 40# sack is way cheaper than buying it with the DampRid logo and packaging. I am a subscriber to using Irish Spring to keep the vectors away. Use a potato peeler and shave a bar of the soap. Place the shavings where the little critters could climb up - I put it on top of each tire, on the ground behind each tire, and on the jack/stabilize feet if they're down (mine are at the house for storage). Doesn't hurt to put some low in the unit at slide portals and such. Nice thing about the soap is that the scent lasts, still there after rain unlike the powdered cleansers, and doesn't harm anything, and that fresh Irish Spring scent in the Spring!

[SteveTN]

Steve, where do you put the panel while in use (rig in storage)? On the ground? Roof of rig? Just wondering about security of your equipment?

Thanks,
Steve

On the ground just like in the photo pointed generally south. I use a bike-lock cable and two padlocks to lock it to the camper. So far in three years no one has bothered it. I suppose you could put it on the roof if you wanted.

[wjpatter]

You have already gotten great tips. A couple of things we do is to make sure no food remains behind. Also, I hit all of the locks with a lubricant. Florida is a very corrosive environment and the lubricant keeps things smooth.