Hi there ๐ We have a 2005 Frontier Explorer (28') that we just purchased in the summer of last year. We own mountain property a few hours outside of Denver. Anyway- to the issue. It *was* a beautiful trailer. We went up to check on the property and trailers and found a jaw dropping (in my opinion!) scene- a packrat (or several?) had somehow made it's way in (I still don't know how- it's SO sealed up!) and literally damaged everything. Electrical, trim around most cabinets/counters, blinds, plumbing hoses, and pooped/peed on EVERY solid surface imaginable (did you know their pee is pretty much the consistency of tree sap? holy cow.). I'm attaching pictures for your viewing displeasure- what on earth do we do? Is it even worth cleaning up (we cleaned for a few hours, but dang- it's so bad) and repairing all the wood/electrical/plumbing? Where would we even start? I'm heartbroken- it was such a nice trailer!
Thank you!!
Thank you!!
jmkjmk wrote:
(I'm a she ๐ ), and yea- I did make a half joke to my dad when we were up there to just throw his cigarette in there, but I was so freaked out! I think we'll have it towed somewhere (of course it's in the middle of nowhere at pristine camping land!), professionally cleaned and then sold 'as is'- with the damage. Fortunately or unfortunately, the land (and campers on it) are in the process of being sold, at least we're trying to sell the property, so we'll just have to take the camper off the price and try to get back a little bit if at all possible. Thank you so much for all the feedback, I really do appreciate it.
Aww.. when it was "new" ๐
Sorry for your loss. You look so happy in the photo. I know you must be heartbroken.
It will all work out.
Have a nice Day
(I'm a she ๐ ), and yea- I did make a half joke to my dad when we were up there to just throw his cigarette in there, but I was so freaked out! I think we'll have it towed somewhere (of course it's in the middle of nowhere at pristine camping land!), professionally cleaned and then sold 'as is'- with the damage. Fortunately or unfortunately, the land (and campers on it) are in the process of being sold, at least we're trying to sell the property, so we'll just have to take the camper off the price and try to get back a little bit if at all possible. Thank you so much for all the feedback, I really do appreciate it.
Aww.. when it was "new" ๐
Aww.. when it was "new" ๐
That's so awful to have happen. As bad as it may seem, I would have a go at trying to clean it up and rebuilding it. The only alternative would be to dispose of it and buy a new TT. If in a remote area, you could remove all the damaged stuff and burn what you can, then tow it home. Once cleaned up and stripped out, you'll have a better idea whether or not it's salvageable.
Rats (and other rodents) can directly and indirectly transmit a number of diseases. CDC has this list.
CDC has this info. on cleaning up rat droppings and urine. cleaning up and and also this.
Here is some info. on cleaning up droppings and it says not to use bleach. http://www.attic-rat.com/decontamination.html
Of note is that they say not to use a vaccuum or broom to clean up and it can cause viruses to go into the air. Hantavirus is rare and is not carried by all rodents. But you just don't know what you are dealing with and should take all precautions. Do some googling as there is tons of info. on the 'net.
If you have sheet flooring throughout, that will have prevented urine from getting into the subfloor, except for possibly where there are penetrations for plumbing.
Next time, the thing to do is to use something to keep them away and/or poison or traps. The only problem with poison is that the rodent could die inside, and that could happen in an inaccessible cavity.
What I learned once about rats when I was building a new house, is that even if a structure is sealed up with plywood and lumber and there are no cracks, they will gnaw an access hole and if you nail lumber over the hole, they will gnaw through it again. I came across a rat in the basement of this house during construction and I grabbed a big cardboard box on the ground and was going to try and throw it over the rat, except it stood up on it's hind legs and let a loud blood curdling hiss. Scared the poop out of me. Got some rat poison after that.
Rats (and other rodents) can directly and indirectly transmit a number of diseases. CDC has this list.
CDC has this info. on cleaning up rat droppings and urine. cleaning up and and also this.
Here is some info. on cleaning up droppings and it says not to use bleach. http://www.attic-rat.com/decontamination.html
Of note is that they say not to use a vaccuum or broom to clean up and it can cause viruses to go into the air. Hantavirus is rare and is not carried by all rodents. But you just don't know what you are dealing with and should take all precautions. Do some googling as there is tons of info. on the 'net.
If you have sheet flooring throughout, that will have prevented urine from getting into the subfloor, except for possibly where there are penetrations for plumbing.
Next time, the thing to do is to use something to keep them away and/or poison or traps. The only problem with poison is that the rodent could die inside, and that could happen in an inaccessible cavity.
What I learned once about rats when I was building a new house, is that even if a structure is sealed up with plywood and lumber and there are no cracks, they will gnaw an access hole and if you nail lumber over the hole, they will gnaw through it again. I came across a rat in the basement of this house during construction and I grabbed a big cardboard box on the ground and was going to try and throw it over the rat, except it stood up on it's hind legs and let a loud blood curdling hiss. Scared the poop out of me. Got some rat poison after that.
