How to store the camper in Florida

[Freeborn530]

finished my gran adventure and settled in St.Augustine, how should I store my Bigfoot camper in the hot and humid weather? For example run the fantastic fan with bathroom vent open 24/7? Shut up everything close all vents? Any advice would be helpful.

[RickW]

I use a small dehumidifier with a timer (on at night) during storage with interior doors and hatches open. Remove as much bedding, fabric and foam as possible. Some use dryer sheets in corners to help prevent mold and mildew.

[Highway_Runner]

I recommend laying a moisture barrier (plastic) on the ground where you intend to park it. Then at least invest in one of the breathable camper covers. A carport is even better.
Open interior doors/ drawers and run a fun to move the air. Get some DampRid stuff from the store.

[chast]

Thanks Notsobigjoe! Interesting and useful information—I’m going to add it to my regimen for storage both in Florida and in Pennsylvania!

[notsobigjoe]

https://www.amazon.com/Bayer-Suspend-Insecticide-Roaches-Professional/dp/B002Y57MGE/ref=pd_ybh_a_1?_...

Very easy to use and very safe when used properly. I have a 2 gallon sprayer with a fine spray tip and it works great. I spray the entire outside of the camper and inside, I spray the floor as well as the inside cabinets where I can get to. Yes, obviously you have to remove whatever is in the way so as not to be sprayed until it dries and then move it back in. I used to pay my bug guy to do this and then realized how cheap the product was. You do not need a license of any kind to spray your own property. This is an over time killer. The bug passes over the sprayed area and brings the poison with him to whatever nest there is and later dies.

[chast]

Hey Notsobigjoe—what is this “suspend” of which you speak?

[notsobigjoe]

I am from Debary in central Florida. Your number one enemy is mold from condensation due to high humidity. Roof vents open all the time no matter what but there also must be some kind of through the bottom/lower side ventilation access. In other words the hot air needs to leave through the roof. The interior of my camper has been well over 100 degrees. I am from upstate NY believe when I say I learned this the hard way. Mold. mold. mold. The air must move. Critters have not been a problem but bugs have. I spray the entire outside and inside with suspend. Harmless to humans and dogs but kills everything else. Good luck sir, Joe

[Grit_dog]

No different than you would in Bothell?

[ajriding]

open all interior doors/pantry and any access to water tank compartments etc.
Run a fan all the time, maybe not your $80 Fantastic fan, but a cheap one.
Toss a cheap tarp (or an expensive one) over the roof at least, replace as needed. Sun and rain are the far leading causes of camper damage.
A tarp will make it hard to ventilate air outside. Use one of those roof vent covers and keep roof vent open anyway, air will get under the tarp a little at least.

[Kayteg1]

For me beside the moisture my camper got in California, the sun is big enemy as well.
If you value your camper - build a carport for it.
I know in hurricane zones, building adequate carports is not going to be cheap, but replacing $70k campers every few years becouse you don't protect them is not cheap neither.

[2manytoyz]

Moisture/humidity is the enemy of campers. Can cause mold issues.

I've had campers in Fl since the mid 80s. Pop-ups, travel trailers, Class As. Doesn't matter, all closed up.

It's only been in recent years that I had power where I stored my campers. I go one step further, and set the A/C to 80F, with the vents closed. Keeps them really dry inside, and greatly limits the heat build up.

[jimh406]

How long are you storing it? Is it on the truck?

I’d be more concerned with preventing insect/rodent intrusion and put it in the shade or undercover if possible.