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  1. #1
    Seasoned Camper mageorge's Avatar
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    Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
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    Closing up the "sticks and bricks" question

    Not sure where to post this but we are getting ready for month(s) long travels and wondered what do people do when they close up their house for months?


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    Mike & Debbie
    Hot Springs, Ar
    2014 Ram 2500 4x4 Short Bed Diesel
    B&W Companion 5th Wheel Hitch
    2014 Reflection 303 (#405)

  2. #2
    Long Hauler bertschb's Avatar
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    Jan 2015
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    Bend, OR and Palm Springs, CA
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    Shut off the water and fire up the wireless camera so we can snoop on our neighbors while we're gone :-)
    Brian & Kellie
    2020 Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, 1,460w solar, 540ah BBGC3, MORryde IS w/disc brakes
    2020 F-350 Platinum SRW Powerstroke Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch

    Previous setups:
    2019 Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
    2016 Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch

  3. #3
    Site Team Second Chance's Avatar
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    Jul 2014
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    Mike and Debbie,

    You will find a lot of information and discussion on topics like this over on the Escapees and RV-Dreams.com forums. These are groups with a lot of full- and long-timers. Great support sites as far as I'm concerned.

    Rob
    U.S. Army Retired
    2012 F350 DRW CC LB Lariat PS 6.7
    2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS, disc brakes,
    Sailun LRG tires, solar, DP windows, W/D
    (Previously in a Reflection 337RLS)
    Full time since 08/2015

  4. #4
    Site Sponsor Cate&Rob's Avatar
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    Mike,

    You should check your home insurance to see if they have any requirements.

    Rob
    Cate & Rob
    2015 Reflection 303RLS

  5. #5
    Long Hauler bertschb's Avatar
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    I should also add that when we had our furnace replaced, we added a thermostat that we can control remotely. It not only allows us to control the temperature of the house while we're gone but it also will notify us if the furnace fails or the temp inside drops too low, etc. The other thing I've done is added a thermometer base station with remote temperature probes. I put one probe under the house, one in the house, one in the garage and one outside. I can view the temps via a browser or an app on my phone (Acurite Acu-Link). Our house can get quite cold in the winter and again, this is just one more tool to monitor temps while we're away. These things along with our wireless web cams give us peace of mind while we're not there.
    Brian & Kellie
    2020 Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, 1,460w solar, 540ah BBGC3, MORryde IS w/disc brakes
    2020 F-350 Platinum SRW Powerstroke Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch

    Previous setups:
    2019 Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
    2016 Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch

  6. #6
    Long Hauler Paul & Deb's Avatar
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    Dec 2014
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    Carlsbad, CA
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    In addition to shutting off water,
    We unplug any small appliances like toaster ovens, coffee makers, etc., including TVs.
    We setup lights on timers simulating our normal evening and night activities.
    We stop the mail through the Post Office.
    I have trickle charges (battery maintainers) for the cars.
    If I'm gone for more than a month or so I add gas stabilizer to their full gas tanks.
    We leave the refrigerator running but we empty and shut off our chest freezer.
    We leave the dish washer open to avoid getting smelly.
    We have multiple sliding doors so I have fitted rods I put in the tracks so they can not be forced open.
    Paul "Poppy" and Deb Cervone
    2022 Imagine XLS 22MLE
    2021 Imagine XLS 17MKE - SOLD ; 2015 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS - SOLD
    2016 GMC Denali 3500HD SRW Duramax/Allison CC 4x4; Tire Minder TPMS

  7. #7
    Seasoned Camper Ivan S854's Avatar
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    Nov 2015
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    Centennial, CO
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    Besides the obvious (stop or forward your mail, let a trusted neighbor know you're gone and for how long, etc)...

    Turn the water off to your commode and flush it...use a large sponge and pull as much water as possible out of the bowl... then stuff the opening with old plastic grocery bags to prevent sewer gas from coming into your home...

    Get some mineral oil and pour a little into each floor drain (we have two drains, one in the laundry and one in the basement) keeps the water from evaporating... again, keeps out the sewer gas...this works even when you're home...

    Install motion detection lights at your front and back door...

    Place a couple light timers in a couple rooms set to go on and off at different times...

    Leave your curtains/blinds/shades OPEN... lets the good guys look in...

    We have a TV with a programmable on/off timer... we have it set to come on around 4pm and off at 1030pm... volume is turned up just a bit...

    Hire a neighbor kid to shovel your driveway/sidewalk in case of snow... nothing says, "I'm not home" like a fresh blanket of snow on your driveway and most municipalities require public walks to be shoveled in a timely manner...
    2005 Chevrolet 2500HD D/A CC LB 4WD
    2016 Reflection 303RLS
    VIN: 573FR332XG3305974
    2007 Ural GearUp Arctic

  8. #8
    Seasoned Camper mageorge's Avatar
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    These are all good suggestions! Thanks I just installed a automatic sprinkler system today, now I wish I had plastic grass!
    Mike & Debbie
    Hot Springs, Ar
    2014 Ram 2500 4x4 Short Bed Diesel
    B&W Companion 5th Wheel Hitch
    2014 Reflection 303 (#405)

  9. #9
    Fireside Member
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    Oct 2015
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    Howell, Michigan
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    We have a motion detector in the house. We get a text alarm within seconds when it goes off. We text son to verify it is him. If not, I have local sheriff number in phone to call if needed.

  10. #10
    Rolling Along TNFSolitude's Avatar
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    Besides the dishwasher, also leave the washing machine lid open.
    Run some water and turn on the garbage disposal for a couple seconds.
    I unplug the computer modem and router, home entertainment electronics.
    Because the water is off, I also turn off the water heater.
    In summer the thermostat is off, in winter the heat is set at 55.
    I don't have any fancy web cams, I hide my trail camera to show the doorway.
    Tom & Nancy
    Newport, MI
    369RL, #302

    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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