Seasonal site questions

We have been using our 2009 Flagstaff 34’ TT on the road since we bought it new. Now we are going to try something different by placing it on a seasonal site in Delaware for the 2014 season. Not ever doing this I have some questions for you seasoned seasonal campers.
We will have full hook ups with metered electric. Cable TV and Wi-Fi included. We have stayed as transient campers at this place before and like the amenities very much.
The campsite we have is distanced from the ocean and water but the soil is still sandy with no grass and some trees. We like the site size and location in the campground.
Our questions are about setting up for the entire season. We have the factory crank down stabilizer jacks and I use the BAL X-Chock to cut down on motion. I also use the orange plastic blocks when we setup as temporary campers. Is this a good setup for the season in sandy soil? Should I use some other type jack for better stability?
I also use nice adjustable step supports and plan to use them for the setup.
I will assume we will keep the fridge running all season since we are allowed to stay hooked up to their service. I plan to turn off the water when we are not there for extended time periods. Looking for suggestions.
We have 2 slides with the slide toppers. Do people leave the slides out when they are not using the rig for extended time periods?
My thought is to use treated lumber for the entire setup. Does anyone that’s on sandy soil ever had to readjust during the season?
The other unknown is if we will do this again next year. We can keep the TT on the same site as part of our yearly fee. I do all my own winterizing and feel it should be safe at this campground even with high winds and the extreme weather.
Any other suggestions are welcomed. This forum has been a wealth of information from fellow campers. As I sit here in single digit weather and snow my mind is drifting to spring.

Thanks and stay warm everyone.

spike99
Explorer
Jan 30, 2014
eastern shore girl wrote:
spike99---I love your idea of the slide cover. Will have to see if hubby will do one for ours.

For more pictures, surf: - click here - and - click here -

Hope this helps as well....
eastern_shore_g
Explorer
Jan 30, 2014
spike99---I love your idea of the slide cover. Will have to see if hubby will do one for ours.
Double_Haul
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
My trailer is setup year around in the California Delta. I use it more in the fall winter and spring at my site and travel some in the summer. Tires are on 2x8 pressure treated boards, stabilizers on concrete blocks. We have a deck so I made wooden steps and use them instead of the trailer step. I keep the slide in to keep it clean and one less part to deteriorate in the sun and leak. Electric is plugged in to maintain the batteries, water off and gas off. I use to keep the fridge on but about 6 mos after the extended warranty ran out the coils blew out. After replacing the fridge for around $1500 I now keep it off. Hot days are killer on the cooling units. Ran me about $30 in electricity per month.I transport the food in an ice chest anyway so no big deal. The new fridge cools down in about 4 hours now compared to about 8 hours previously. I did have the converter go out this year possibly do to a spike so I now have a surge protector.
spike99
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
.

Cement cinder blocks can/do unexpectedly crumble. And, it all comes crashing down.

For our seasonal site, I simply lay 2x10s down (to be pushed into soft ground), add flat patio stones on this wood, then buy/install Steel axle stands. For short ground distance, I use 6-ton stands. For high ground distance, I would use 12-ton axle stands. I install 4 axle stands down each frame rail. Axle stands stop majority of front to back and side to side movements. And using 4 connect points down each frame rail, it stops up/down movements as well. And since patio stones are on wood, the wood is pushed into the soft ground. For picture, surf: - click here -

For our seasonal site, slide goes out in the spring and stays out all summer. Only comes back in for winter storage months. For our slide, I installed a moveable hard-cover over it. And best of all, this hard over is slopped (not flat). No more pooling water. re: - click here -

From spring to fall (summer camping months), we leave our RV's fridge on. And, enjoy our seasonal site deck as well. re: - click here -

And, we only turn RV's LP (gas) ON when needed. re: For cooking inside or for RV's Heater. Majority of time, we cook on our BBQ (located on our deck) and eat outside. Thus, keeping grease smells and dirty dishes outside. Outside is for living. Inside RV is used for sleeping and/or temp escape on rainy days.

This works for us...
JWF
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
For steps we use a set of heavey plastic steps we bought at a pool store. They are 2 steps high and only weigh about 10 lbs and very sturdy. We use them on all our camping excursions.
brownieab
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
Do as Yeabuddy does, blocking before and after axles prevents the frame from sagging when the air in the tires leaks out and it will.
yeabuddy
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
Love all this seasonal chatter by the way...

We've been lucky enough to go up every or every other weekend so electric stays on for us. Water gets turned off before we leave every time.
I agree with your treated lumber choice. We leveled ours on 2x8 stacks. The ground isn't sandy but as long as you're foot print is spread out enough you should be ok.
We also lowered the stabilizers onto a small piece of lumber placed on top of cinder blocks. Stack them as high as possible, the less distance between the blocks and the frame, the less bounce and more stable the trailer will be.
We stack cinder blocks topped with treated lumber under the frame in front and back of the axles for additional support as well.
I wouldn't worry about keeping it on your site during the off season. Even in this awful weather. In fact, mine is there right now along with everyone else.
Have to agree with the staircase too. All great ideas from everyone.

Best wishes on your new adventure.
angler
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
Boards under stabilizer jacks. and under the tires. Cover the wheels. I keep the fridge running, but get take out any food that could spoil. Leave an ice cub in the freezer to know for sure if your fridge got too warm. I leave propane on in case you do loose power. Steps with a platform are the best thing I added if the campground lets you.
Done this for several years.
Doug33
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
If you don't mind, can you tell us where in Delaware you plan on being seasonal? With upcoming health issues, we are considering doing this as an option if need be, and we love to visit Delaware. Depending on where you camp, we have found seasonal to cost anywhere from $3K - $5K, plus electric.

I would use blocking under the frame to help stabilize the TT. I don't like the bounce I have in my TT, and the axles are so spread apart that wheel chocks/locks don't work. I would also turn off the electric and water everytime I left the site.
rdrector
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
I would use wooden steps(dramatically cuts down on trailer movement). Place 2x6 board under tires. I leave propane on when gone in case of a power outage, that way my fridge contents will be ok. Slideouts are fine left open during season. I also add stabilizers in front and rear of tires on the frame. I simply use 4 cheap auto triangle hand crank stablizers on cinder blocks and tighten to frame. Again cuts out alot of movement. I would recommend turning water off when you leave, but also use a surge protector on your a/c. Cinder blocks placed on sand will set in fine, just place a small board on top of block for your jacks to rest on.

On another note, alot of seasonals tend to want to leave their gray valves open to limit draining so often. At my park I advise against this for two reasons. If a clog in the park sewer system occurs below you, it has the potential of backing up into your tank and beyond when the campers above you flush tanks. Second, you will get sewer flies coming through all drains and out into the camper. They look like little nats.