Storing rv in desert heat

bobsallyh wrote:
DO NOT use milk jugs.

I'm in Pennsylvania so I don't have to be too concerned about the heat.
I'm curious, why no milk jugs? Are they too small or does the heat melt them, etc.?

I live in the Mojave at 3500 MSL, not the coolest place in summer and the solar intensity is high at this elevation. I’ve stored my trailers uncovered for the last 23 years with no special preparation. Other than some fading of decals nothing damaging has happened.

I’m seeing a lot of solutions in search of a problem.

Sunshield tarp with silver side up.

I can speak for my trailer left in the AZ summer sun for over 4 years. The graphics on the front cap fried. The so-called leather upholstery in the living room started separating from the backing material. RV's do not like the summer heat. I had it covered but the winds tore the cover to shreds. Make that two covers.

I wonder why you don't use gallon milk containers. I put 7 or 8 in all my 13 rentals. I have been using them for 19 years. I make sure they are only 3 or 4 months old. Otherwise, I do everything else as you do

bobsallyh wrote:
This is done thousands of times over in the Yuma area. Drain water heater, open black and gray tanks, pour wind shied washer fluid down kitchen sink, vanity sink, and pottie (some use vegetable oil). Then cover those drains with Saran Wrap and stretch Saran Wrap across pottie below the seat. Top off batteries and disconnect. Turn propane off. Place plastic buckets full of water in bedroom, bath, kitchen, and living area. DO NOT use milk jugs. Take anything with elastic in it with you. Put silver bubble paper in the vent squares inside. Silver bubble paper all windows (between glass and blind). Some put plastic sheets over chairs etc. You can build small boxes to cover roof vents up on the roof. Also, you can build a larger box to cover AC unit. Be sure to put a patio block on each box cover. Put silver bubble paper on inside of refer vent door. Let refer doors open. You can take plastic spouting and cover your roll-up awning. cover tires and put weight against the covers. You will be surprised how good it will be inside when returning.
If I can be of more help just PM me. We do several for our friends after they leave.

Thank you for this helpful post.

This is done thousands of times over in the Yuma area. Drain water heater, open black and gray tanks, pour wind shied washer fluid down kitchen sink, vanity sink, and pottie (some use vegetable oil). Then cover those drains with Saran Wrap and stretch Saran Wrap across pottie below the seat. Top off batteries and disconnect. Turn propane off. Place plastic buckets full of water in bedroom, bath, kitchen, and living area. DO NOT use milk jugs. Take anything with elastic in it with you. Put silver bubble paper in the vent squares inside. Silver bubble paper all windows (between glass and blind). Some put plastic sheets over chairs etc. You can build small boxes to cover roof vents up on the roof. Also, you can build a larger box to cover AC unit. Be sure to put a patio block on each box cover. Put silver bubble paper on inside of refer vent door. Let refer doors open. You can take plastic spouting and cover your roll-up awning. cover tires and put weight against the covers. You will be surprised how good it will be inside when returning.
If I can be of more help just PM me. We do several for our friends after they leave.

Can you store it in a place with a covered roof? Personally that's what I'd do.

The sun will just flat out detiorate your RV.

Remove batteries.

Will it be have a sun protective cover over it or exposed naked to the elements?

In parts of AZ, interior temps with no a/c can easily reach over 125 degrees inside during the summer. You need a cover or at least window sunshields. I have seen sunbirds come back in fall to exploded containers of food everywhere. It's not just how hot it may get but how long that sustained heat is present. Each year all the news stations do their annual fry and egg on the hood or place a block of ice inside a vehicle to show how fast temperatures rise. One did an RV and the temps were over 125 from about 9 in the morning to 9 at night. I don't care how well an RV is built, that is some serious high temps to endure almost every day for three months. Imagine whats happening to any food or drink!