Forum Discussion

Artum_Snowbird's avatar
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Dec 22, 2017

V 10 big surprise!!

Last Wednesday I purchased a 2012 Itasca Impulse Silver 26QP. It was about 400 miles from home, so after closing the deal I headed over a couple sets of mountains, across a ferry, and back to Vancouver Island.

Yesterday I lifted the front hood and noticed a few mouse turds on the top of the battery. That got me a bit more interested, and with a flashlight I notice down deep on the engine a pile of maple seeds right between the cylinder banks. I got about two quarts of seeds out with a vacuum, and that was all I could see.

Today I took off the doghouse and got to the back end of the engine. Right there in the back between the cylinders was another quart and a bit more of packed in maple seeds.

Pretty scary stuff considering what might have happened on a hot summer day. Dodged a bullet I reckon. The rid had sat unused for a couple of years due to medical problems. Everything seems to be working, no evidence of wire chewing anywhere I could see.

Any suggestions where else I should be looking?

Mike
Class C
  • 3oaks's avatar
    3oaks
    Explorer
    Dec 23, 2017
    In the meantime, some little critter is without it's Winter's food supply. :E

    Maybe you should return the seeds and the storage facility. :B
  • T18skyguy's avatar
    T18skyguy
    Explorer
    Dec 23, 2017
    I had squirrels chew completely through the main wiring harness, battery cable insulation and a lot more. It took me a week of work and I had to individually repair the wires in the harness about as big a bundle as your wrist. Just awful. Your very lucky that didn't happen.
  • fireflock's avatar
    fireflock
    Explorer
    Dec 23, 2017
    Very common on the V-10, especially with RV's. I've found chewed acorns in the 'V', in and around the air filter, under the coolant reservoir, and in the generator compartment.

    I've also found them taking insulation from the walls and shredding paper towels.

    I've never had a problem with them chewing wires, but it can make a really big mess.

    The Hantavirus danger can be real, but it depends on where you live (or where the vehicle acquired the rodents). Where I live (SE US), we don't really need any precautions.
  • NMDriver's avatar
    NMDriver
    Explorer
    Dec 23, 2017
    You need to read up on Hantavirus CDC link to vehicle cleaning . Never vacuum mouse droppings without soaking with bleach solution and waiting at least 5 minutes. The exhaust of the vacuum puts the virus up into the air. The link has some good info/precaustions on cleaning a vehicle as well as where to look.

    In a RV I would look under all the cabinets, the power panel area, vent ducts, storage compartments, propane and battery compartments, etc. etc. Those are all places I have found rodents trying to nest.

    It is not a trivial job to clean a RV with a rodent infestation.
  • mat60's avatar
    mat60
    Explorer
    Dec 23, 2017
    Glad your back on the road and congrats on you purchase.
  • Halmfamily's avatar
    Halmfamily
    Explorer
    Dec 22, 2017
    Had a squirrel build a nest in our Lincoln Town Cars air filter box. It sat for six months over the summer and I guess it was a safe place for him.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Dec 22, 2017
    HVAC intake is a nice place for them as well. I like to cover the opening with metal screen.
    BTW, congrats on a great sounding new rig!
  • kerrlakeRoo's avatar
    kerrlakeRoo
    Explorer
    Dec 22, 2017
    Air filters are often chewed up and what that can cause can be wide ranging.

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