5th wheel storage

We leave our camper at a long term camp over winter and besides the drain and water lines, we remove the battery, disconnect the sewer, disconnect from shore power, remove LP tanks, slightly open vents (we have max air vent covers), remove all food items including canned goods, block fridge doors open, close slide, latch stove vent louver flap, store steps, check nothing in the storage compartments that could spoil or attract critters.
Jim

Agree with the above and especially about taking ALL food items out including soaps, toothpaste and such items. Also, clean the camper from top to bottom inside. We also leave dryer sheets in and around the inside the camper to supposedly deter the mice(if nothing else it makes the camper smell nice). I spray the under side and legs/tires of the camper and garage area with pesticide too. If you have a grill or other food related items in the garage, either clean or remove them.
Remove batteries from smoke and propane detectors. Close all shades/blinds so the fabrics don't fade. If it is that long term I would also add a cap full or two of veggy oil to the sink/shower drains so the winterizing solution will not evaporate out the "P" traps stinking up the place. Maybe add it to the toilet to keep the seal from dry rotting too. Make sure to wipe up all pink solution out of the sinks and shower as it will stain.

Make sure you drain the water heater and remove the anode rod/plug.

Shadow_Grey wrote:
Agree with the above and especially about taking ALL food items out including soaps, toothpaste and such items. Also, clean the camper from top to bottom inside. We also leave dryer sheets in and around the inside the camper to supposedly deter the mice(if nothing else it makes the camper smell nice). I spray the under side and legs/tires of the camper and garage area with pesticide too. If you have a grill or other food related items in the garage, either clean or remove them.
Remove batteries from smoke and propane detectors. Close all shades/blinds so the fabrics don't fade. If it is that long term I would also add a cap full or two of veggy oil to the sink/shower drains so the winterizing solution will not evaporate out the "P" traps stinking up the place. Maybe add it to the toilet to keep the seal from dry rotting too. Make sure to wipe up all pink solution out of the sinks and shower as it will stain.

Make sure you drain the water heater and remove the anode rod/plug.

I would also get skylight plugs to help slow down fabric and vinyl fade. On my next rig, I will also add thermal window shades =inside= the day/night shades, to also help with fade and heat. My fabrics are probably 60% faded, as well as the vinyl flooring and the wallpapers trim has been curling for about 3 years. Also, some paint peeling in the skylight openings both from a couple small water leaks, but mostly from heat and intense sunlight. Even in WI, the UV is a killer.

Lyle

Build a snow roof over it.

We leave the shower head and hose coiled in the tub for travel, so it won't bounce loose and fall.
If that means you forget to drain the water out of the hose when you store it, it will crack when it freezes.

We also remove towels, blankets & pillows. They can make warm cozy beds for mice. Leaving all cupboard doors open can help too. We do dryer sheets all over also.

Nice thread! The veggie oil is a trick I would not have thought of. One thing I don't see mentioned is tire covers. We cover the tires with those vinyl covers when the trailer is sitting for a period of time to help prevent UV damage.

A couple of boxes of Decon is a good idea. Just place them stratigically on counter tops and under sinks. It's nice to come back and find them untouched.

EDIT. A dead mouse might smell a little but mouse urine stains are just as bad, if not worse.

Water-Bug wrote:
A couple of boxes of Decon is a good idea. Just place them stratigically on counter tops and under sinks. It's nice to come back and find them untouched.

EDIT. A dead mouse might smell a little but mouse urine stains are just as bad, if not worse.

Better yet, put the Decon =outside= so the don't get in. ;-)

Lyle

Put a cup of vegetable oil in each drain. Oil will not evaporate. And keeps traps from drying outand letting Sewer fumes into the camper.