Store MH out West--drive car back

Thanks Tommy. Last fall they filled 2 of my outside storage bays with walnuts. Apparently last fall, they got inside and I didn't see it before I put it in the mine. I have to finish cleaning mine tonight. I'll crawl under it and see if I can find any openings. The walnuts are pretty big. I cant tell if it's a squirrel or a chipmunk. I'm leaning towards chipmunk just because they could fit through a smaller opening.

FUZZBUTT- I got rid of my nests and was planning to try and find the hole when the weather got a little better. Few days later, inspected it an found a brand new LARGE nest under the bathroom sink made mainly of leaves. Also found a larger than chipmunk turd. My guess--squirrel this time.
Got rid of it and used the air out on a large shop vacuum. Put the hose in the bathroom cabinet to see what happened. Lots of chewed up crud came out outside and I could feel air coming out. Could not see or feel anything from underneath, even using a light.
Looked inside the cabinet and saw a largish hole where some pipes went. Got a copper scouring pad and unraveled it and stuffed it into the gap. Then, put a lot of foam sealant into the copper. It did not seem like there was a direct hole to the outside but more like a maze opening. I also got some aluminum window screen scrap and wedged it into pipe holes between bathroom and other parts of RV. Got the screen for free from local hardware store. They had tons of scrap and I plan to get more.
I would have liked to get something that generates harmless smoke to try and find other openings. However, I think (hope) I got the main gap.

Tommy47. I just read your post. On Saturday, I pulled a drawer out in my motorhome and it was full of walnuts. So far, I found 3 drawers full and a bunch of shredded paper towels and dishrags. My guess is they did that before I put it in the mine for the winter. I see no droppings and don't smell any dead chipmunks. I'm guessing that they werent in it when i put it in the mine. 5 months is a long time to go without water.

Did you find the point of entry? I'm thinking they might be climbing up my electric cord into that compartment.

Roy-meant to answer you yesterday. Your answer is obnoxious. You sure don't know how much it is to rent a MH. $1500-$2000 or more per week. Let's see --10 week trip at $2000 per week is $20,000. PLUS, you don't have a car for side trips. Or store for $500-$600. That's a tough choice.
I bet you're one of those guys that says "if you're worried about the cost of fuel, you shouldn't own a MH".

I leave mine in central KS every October and drive the truck home. In Jan we drive back, hitch up and head South for the Winter. No ice and snow, road salt or blizzards to tow through. So far it's worked very well for 3 years. Excellent storage lot with security fence, coded gate and alarm. Very clean, no junk, owner lives right there. $35.00 a month..

B.O.

B.O. I would like more information on this storage place as I am interested in doing the same thing. I sent you a PM.
Thanks
Glen

NYCgrrl wrote:
This will probably sound like a silly question but how do you rodent proof a RV for long term out of state storage beyond the obvious like leaving no food or potable water in it?

Same way you would if you store it at home. I put a few boxes of DeCon in mine and forget about it...

B.O.

Heck--I had problems with rodents, probably chipmunks, this winter. Made a mess and left 200-400 walnuts inside. Just finished cleaning it up and now I have to find where they got in. Has to be a pretty big hole for the walnuts. Plan to us copper scouring pads and foam sealer. Did a cursory look underneath yesterday and found nothing.

An old co-worker of mine did exactly that one year. Left the MH in AZ with relatives and flew back to WI for the summer than flew back months later to get the MH. It worked well for him but he only did it that one time I believe.

Seems to make sense, especially if you really like vacationing out west.

Dan

This will probably sound like a silly question but how do you rodent proof a RV for long term out of state storage beyond the obvious like leaving no food or potable water in it?

donn0128 wrote:
Its going to cost you somewhere between 80 and a hundred dollars a month for cold storage. Seems to me it would be cheaper to drive it home.

Not quite - we pay 56.60 per month including tax to store our MH in Mesa AZ.