Not counting the Westfalia VW pop-top in the '70s, my wife and I just purchased our first "hard-sided" RV (had a Coleman PUP for a while). Based on our location on the Savannah River in SC, I have some questions related to when the TT is not in use (stored at the house). Our summer days are typically in the upper 90s to lower 90s - but I have seen 107 and above on my personal weather station at the house. Our AVERAGE low temp in January is around 33 - but it can get into the teens with cold fronts. The trailer is a 2013 Surveyor Sport 200 by Forest River. My questions:1. What types of things do or do not do well left in the trailer during the hot months? I'm thinking of things like toiletries, a few cleaning supplies, perhaps some non-perishable food items. How about soft goods like towels and linens. (I know to empty and turn of the frig and prop the doors open for air circulation.)2. To what extent do you winterize your water systems and do you "blow it" or use antifreeze?3. I have the option of leaving the trailer plugged in with the battery on board or pulling the battery and storing it in the garage (the latter being more work). If I have a reminder to check the electrolyte levels monthly, is it OK to leave everything plugged in?4. Anything else you can think of?Thanks!Rob

I'd make some provision for mice like deterrents: some use cab fresh,some dryer sheets, some peppermint oil. and/or traps and/or poisons.People have strong opinions as what works or is best .If your cushions and upholstery are ok your linens will be too.RV antifreeze is cheap on sale you can do your camper for <$5 but many just blow but you must do a perfect job with air as the water in pockets is the ice that causes damage:) Do you feel lucky? Hope you don't have a sudden colder-than- normal snap and let it go :(There is no best practice on the batt as long as you keep an eye on it.Good Luck, Mike

Second Chance wrote:1. What types of things do or do not do well left in the trailer during the hot months? I'm thinking of things like toiletries, a few cleaning supplies, perhaps some non-perishable food items. How about soft goods like towels and linens. (I know to empty and turn of the frig and prop the doors open for air circulation.) What you mention, is usually what we leave in the camper.2. To what extent do you winterize your water systems and do you "blow it" or use antifreeze? I generally use the antifreeze, but I have been know to just blow it out. Never a problem either way so far.3. I have the option of leaving the trailer plugged in with the battery on board or pulling the battery and storing it in the garage (the latter being more work). If I have a reminder to check the electrolyte levels monthly, is it OK to leave everything plugged in? I take the battery out and store it in garage when camper is not in use. I use a trickle charger to keep the charge up and check the water often. A few days before a trip, I will put the battery back and bring the camper around to the driveway and plug it up to check the operation of everything, A/C, fridge, pump, water systems, etc.4. Anything else you can think of?Check the air pressure in tires, repack wheel bearings every two years or more often depending on mileage, inspect roof for caulk cracks and re-seal if necessary, wash often and wax about once a year.Thanks!Rob

Don't leave spices - salt, pepper, etc or anything under pressure like bug spray. Linins will take on the smell of the glue that is used in construction. I also remove the first aid kit. Due to humidity, I do not leave a vent open as suggested on other threads. I keep a cover on it while in storage as well which reduces the interior temp. Although I may get the damp rid packs to be on the safe side, I have never had a mold issue.

i store my TT at my house so i leave it plugged in and the ac is set to about 88. It keeps the rv at a reasonable temp inside and living in Se Texas we dont worry to much about the cold. all i do is drain all the tanks and lines. i do have a small ceramic space heater i will plug in and set at 45 to keep the inside from getting to cold on those rare below freezing nights. We leave prety much everthing inside with the exception of food items.

I've had my TH for about 2 yrs and leave it at an RV park several months of the year and try to use it about one week per month. When I leave I close everything, leave the refrig doors open, turn off the propane, unplug the elec and disconnect the water. I dump my black water and then flush it at least twice, my gray water gets dumped and flushed once. I put some Pinesol in the gray water tank and the pea traps and the deoderant packette in the black. I close each tank at the valves. Everything has always smelled fresh upon arrival.This in Texas where we commonly have numerous 100+ degree days in the summer. I leave all my cleaning supplies, spices, canned foods (tuna fish etc), crackers, peanut butter, water bottles, beer, whiskey, etc. in it when I leave. I don't have any spray items under pressure. I leave my bed made and keep all linens/pillows in it and have never had an oder issue from construction glues. I do not leave any vents open, although it has some side vents I'm considering leaving open but don't think it will lower the heat much, and possibly allow water in during heavy rains. The only thing I've noticed occurring is the liquid soap I keep in the bathtub sometimes dribbles out of the bottle a little.With respect to winter, I have it in my driveway then where I winterize it by blowing out the lines, put antifreeze in the pea traps and both holding tanks. Make sure you thoroughly clean the black water tank and then about 3 gallons of antifreeze keeps liquid in the tank so nothing sets-up that may still be in there.

Questions for those in the South | Good Sam Community

TxTiger
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
I've had my TH for about 2 yrs and leave it at an RV park several months of the year and try to use it about one week per month. When I leave I close everything, leave the refrig doors open, turn off the propane, unplug the elec and disconnect the water. I dump my black water and then flush it at least twice, my gray water gets dumped and flushed once. I put some Pinesol in the gray water tank and the pea traps and the deoderant packette in the black. I close each tank at the valves. Everything has always smelled fresh upon arrival.

This in Texas where we commonly have numerous 100+ degree days in the summer. I leave all my cleaning supplies, spices, canned foods (tuna fish etc), crackers, peanut butter, water bottles, beer, whiskey, etc. in it when I leave. I don't have any spray items under pressure. I leave my bed made and keep all linens/pillows in it and have never had an oder issue from construction glues. I do not leave any vents open, although it has some side vents I'm considering leaving open but don't think it will lower the heat much, and possibly allow water in during heavy rains. The only thing I've noticed occurring is the liquid soap I keep in the bathtub sometimes dribbles out of the bottle a little.

With respect to winter, I have it in my driveway then where I winterize it by blowing out the lines, put antifreeze in the pea traps and both holding tanks. Make sure you thoroughly clean the black water tank and then about 3 gallons of antifreeze keeps liquid in the tank so nothing sets-up that may still be in there.
prothos
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
i store my TT at my house so i leave it plugged in and the ac is set to about 88. It keeps the rv at a reasonable temp inside and living in Se Texas we dont worry to much about the cold. all i do is drain all the tanks and lines. i do have a small ceramic space heater i will plug in and set at 45 to keep the inside from getting to cold on those rare below freezing nights. We leave prety much everthing inside with the exception of food items.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Aug 12, 2013
Don't leave spices - salt, pepper, etc or anything under pressure like bug spray. Linins will take on the smell of the glue that is used in construction. I also remove the first aid kit. Due to humidity, I do not leave a vent open as suggested on other threads. I keep a cover on it while in storage as well which reduces the interior temp. Although I may get the damp rid packs to be on the safe side, I have never had a mold issue.
robsouth
Explorer II
Aug 12, 2013
Second Chance wrote:

1. What types of things do or do not do well left in the trailer during the hot months? I'm thinking of things like toiletries, a few cleaning supplies, perhaps some non-perishable food items. How about soft goods like towels and linens. (I know to empty and turn of the frig and prop the doors open for air circulation.) What you mention, is usually what we leave in the camper.

2. To what extent do you winterize your water systems and do you "blow it" or use antifreeze? I generally use the antifreeze, but I have been know to just blow it out. Never a problem either way so far.

3. I have the option of leaving the trailer plugged in with the battery on board or pulling the battery and storing it in the garage (the latter being more work). If I have a reminder to check the electrolyte levels monthly, is it OK to leave everything plugged in? I take the battery out and store it in garage when camper is not in use. I use a trickle charger to keep the charge up and check the water often. A few days before a trip, I will put the battery back and bring the camper around to the driveway and plug it up to check the operation of everything, A/C, fridge, pump, water systems, etc.

4. Anything else you can think of?Check the air pressure in tires, repack wheel bearings every two years or more often depending on mileage, inspect roof for caulk cracks and re-seal if necessary, wash often and wax about once a year.

Thanks!

Rob
popeyemth
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
I'd make some provision for mice like deterrents: some use cab fresh,some dryer sheets, some peppermint oil. and/or traps and/or poisons.
People have strong opinions as what works or is best .
If your cushions and upholstery are ok your linens will be too.
RV antifreeze is cheap on sale you can do your camper for <$5 but many just blow but you must do a perfect job with air as the water in pockets is the ice that causes damage:)
Do you feel lucky? Hope you don't have a sudden colder-than- normal snap and let it go :(
There is no best practice on the batt as long as you keep an eye on it.
Good Luck, Mike

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