Short term storage

[BDutts]

Hi All,

As 1st time buyers in 2022, our dealer didn't do us any favors in getting us ready to be trailer owners. They're now permanently closed and we still have questions.

We will typically have our trailer parked in outdoor storage for 1 to 2 months at any given time. My question (this time) is how should we be leaving it for that 1-2 months? More specifically, turn the fridge off/off grid? Disconnect battery? From what we've tried, turning the fridge off seems logical but it has a hell of a time cooling down again, especially in hot California summer temps. Leaving the battery connected seems like it may have shortened the battery life and thus contributing to the fridge struggles...new guy problems, I know.

Also, I'm considering purchasing the NRVTA online maintenance and repair course. Anyone have an opinion on this? Seems like it could be very useful. Thanks in advance!

 

[Wileykid]

Other then in the winter when I winterize my trailer, if I don't plan to use the trailer for four or five days, I shut everything off. Turn off the frig (propane/electrical) and open its door, on the next trip I turn it on the day before. I have also thrown in ice packs that I have in the home freezer which helps cool it. Did that when I lived in SoCal also. I have solar, which keeps the battery charged and goes into a trickle/maint mode when the battery is full. Can't see the difference when people pull the battery, put it in the garage and put it on a trickle charger. Yes, unless you have a dedicated battery shut off (not the one from the factory, which doesn't shut everything off) there is some parasitic electrical stuff in the trailer, but the solar handles it. Turn off the propane also.

Like I mentioned, I turn everything on the day before I plan on using it. I make sure the frig is on around 6-8 hours prior to loading it.

There are a number of people that have the ability to plug the trailer into a power source while in storage, and that gives the ability to keep everything on, including the HVAC depending on the power. Personal choice on keeping everything on while not in use for periods of time. If I had a power source, and I was home less than a week, I would keep the frig on.

 

[TimtheToolMan]

@BDutts--are you thinking about specifically taking the RV Owners - RV Fundamentals Training?

I would not want to own an RV without being able to do most of the work myself. Using dealers does not work for me but field techs can work out sometimes. IMO, these things, an average need a significant amount of care.

 

[Gronk1]

Prop the doors on the fridge open, disconnect the battery or put in a switch. Drain the water-you probably don't need to winterize it in SoCal. Throw the water filter away (if equipped) if you're not using the coach long term. Sanitize the water system before using it again.

 

[RavensRoost]

Physically disconnect the wires from the negative battery terminal. One big leach on stored batteries is the Carbon Monoxide/Propane (CO/LP) detector. This think will kill a battery in days. Ask me how I know.
Steve

 

[TimtheToolMan]

With LiFePO4 the BMS will protect from this low SOC/voltage condition for a little while, only when the battery is recharged soon. You commonly have five days to easily restart battery by recharging and 5-15 days of difficult/very hard to start battery. After that, the battery is dead due to low voltage. Don't expect warranty from the cheap battery companies...so much for a "10-year battery" and a so-called long warranty.

Possibly, a majority of us have forgotten to fully disconnect our formerly lead acid battery, with no BMS protection, even after many years of experience. I now remove my LFP batteries when not in use.

When in storage for a couple of weeks I will use a full shut-off and be very very careful to turn it off.

One post stated that he was able to restart battery in time but battery capacity dropped 7%.

 

[rfifer]

When it will be while before using our 2970RL, I open the fridge door to let air circulate and minimize mold. I also turn the thermostat completely off. I leave the propane tanks on their rack but close the valves completely. And lastly, I'll actually remove the battery, bring it home, and put it on a trickle charger. I have two Zombie draws on the battery that gets ahead of any solar charging - the CO monitor and the Tire-Minder booster transmitter. It has worked well to put the battery on the trickle charger to keep it healthy.

 

[IBEW Sparky]

Hi All,

As 1st time buyers in 2022, our dealer didn't do us any favors in getting us ready to be trailer owners. They're now permanently closed and we still have questions.

We will typically have our trailer parked in outdoor storage for 1 to 2 months at any given time. My question (this time) is how should we be leaving it for that 1-2 months? More specifically, turn the fridge off/off grid? Disconnect battery? From what we've tried, turning the fridge off seems logical but it has a hell of a time cooling down again, especially in hot California summer temps. Leaving the battery connected seems like it may have shortened the battery life and thus contributing to the fridge struggles...new guy problems, I know.

Also, I'm considering purchasing the NRVTA online maintenance and repair course. Anyone have an opinion on this? Seems like it could be very useful. Thanks in advance!

In our 2019 337RLS 5er I turned our fridge on back on February 1st to get ready for a trip.... It's still on and has only been turned off once in that time for about an hour to defrost and clean the freezer. It will get turned off around mid Dec when we get back from our last trip of the year. When were home between trips wether it's for a week or 6 weeks the RV is plugged in and the fridge stays on and partially stocked. Rent a storage place that allows you to plug in to a 120V 15 or 20A circuit... keep your propane on in case the power goes out so you don't lose the food in your freezer.

 

[gabathey]

Also, I'm considering purchasing the NRVTA online maintenance and repair course. Anyone have an opinion on this? Seems like it could be very useful. Thanks in advance!

I would highly recommend all newer owners and many old timers go though NRVTA’s course material. It is helpful and entertaining.

Recently a group of four of us with years of experience ranging from 3-20 years RVing went together to attend the NRVTA fundamentals 1-week course in person. We all learned things and gained access to several resources we didn’t know were available. My understanding is that the video version for RV owners is all of the same lecture and handout materials. The only thing you do not get is the hands on lab portions and the opportunity to take a test to be a ‘registered’ tech.

The 1-week course does not teach everything you may want to know, but it does cover a LOT of material and is helpful.