Need check list for Arizona storage

[cekkk]

We're going to drop our TT in September at a campground site we rent in the east valley and leave it for the first time. From what I hear you can't leave any vents open due to sand. I hesitate to leave the ac on but that's why I'm asking for advice.

[cekkk]

I'd like to crack the vents, not the one with a fan. Anyone else do that? And what about buckets of water. I've heard a few people say they do that. I'm thinking it won'tbe real hot too often after we leave in mid September, so the water might last awhile. Or is that not useful?

[69_Avion]

I have vent covers over my vents, so I leave them cracked open a little. It is nice to let some of the hot air escape.

[TucsonJim]

I live in Tucson, and pretty much follow the same routine as JCHer. Regarding the plastic parts. I mask them all off, and give them a coat of white Krylon plastic paint. It seems to protect them very well against UV damage.

I tried covering the unit, but the hassle of covering and uncovering it just wasn't worth it. If we wanted to take off for a weekend, it was a pain to uncover it. Then, when we got home, we were usually pushed for time, and had to struggle up the ladder to cover it back up. Then the wind got ahold of it when it was about 6 months old and shredded quite a bit of fabric. We tossed it in the dumpster.

One area of sun damage I just dealt with was the awning. The fabric that was exposed to the sun was brittle and delaminated. I had to replace the fabric. But this unit has been sitting in the sun for seven years. Not too bad.

[cekkk]

Thanks, JCher. We'll return to it in November for the winter and bring it back to Colorado in April, so it will only be unattended a couple of months.

I plan on disconnecting the battery via the battery switch.

I notice that no one in our park covers their trailers. Do you know the reason, wind, something else?

[JCher]

We are full time Arizona residents and have a travel trailer. When we store it between trips we close it up. No vents or windows open. We turn everything off, remove the batteries and place a battery tender on each battery to maintain their charge. We are not hooked up to power so no A/C. We clean the refrigerator, turn it off, and leave the doors open a little just to keep it dry so no mold grows inside. We cover the tires and put the stabilizer jacks down. We also put that aluminum waffle like insulation sheet over each window to keep the sun out. One thing we have noticed is that no matter what we do the plastic parts inside and out will fade and change colors from white to an off yellow creamy color. We cover the awning with a sunshield otherwise the sun will fade and and eventually cause it to deteriorate. Every several months I climb up on the roof and check all the sealant for cracks if I find any I put on new sealant. It ma seem like a lot but not really. We have been RVing for many years and have lived in Arizona for over 40 years. Good luck and welcome to the desert. You will love it. You never have to shovel sunshine.