Camper off truck! Whoa! Storage questions!

[hoyden]

I took my camper off the truck for the first time since I bought it new November 2015! Whoa!
Crazy. My truck feels so different. Somehow...lighter...

This pic is pre-leveling. Got camper lowered some and more level.
Going to build support for belly so I can go inside it

I should have taken the bed cushions and other cushions out today before I took it off the truck. Der. I'll get some cinder blocks this next week and support the belly so I can get inside.

I plan to plug it into shore power - bought a long extension cord today to run from my basement.

After thinking about the whole condensation issue, I'm wondering if anyone stores it with the camper popped up?

I'll put those moisture absorbing crystals inside, and Irish Spring and Bounce dryer sheets to keep critters away. I could run the furnace every now and then too.

Any other advice y'all can throw at me is appreciated!

Here's a picture of Kaya, my three-footed Arizona wonder dog, all comfy in a chair my mom gave me.

 

[Beach]

I used to use the damp rid product but found that a small fan keeps the air circulating enough that mildew isn't a problem

 

[hoyden]

Oh, that's good to know! I'm gonna plug it into shore power, so I can run the fantastic fans and/or furnace too

 

[hoyden]

Did you keep a little fan in there running all the time? Cuz that'd be easy to get too.

 

[JaSAn]

. . .
After thinking about the whole condensation issue, I'm wondering if anyone stores it with the camper popped up?
I'll put those moisture absorbing crystals inside, and Irish Spring and Bounce dryer sheets to keep critters away . . .
Any other advice y'all can throw at me is appreciated!

Here's a picture of Kaya, my three-footed Arizona wonder dog, all comfy in a chair my mom gave me.

Here is what I do to store my Grandby in a Minnesota winter:

• Camper stored with slight angle (~2º, front down) to let water run off roof.
• Camper floor is supported every 16" with 2X6s so I can put weight on it. I built a cart to store it on.
• After making sure soft side is dry camper is stored with the top down, after protecting with 303.
• Batteries equalized, topped up with water, and solar charging system is left to maintain the batteries.
• Battery water level checked once in ~February.
• Main fuse on fuse block is pulled, eliminating any possible parasitic draw on batteries.
• Refrigerator is emptied, cleaned, turned off, and propped open.
• I empty the camper of everything, including curtains. I don't leave anything that would interest mice.
• I put dryer sheets in all the cabinets and storage spaces.
• Smoke/CO detector battery removed.

• No water system to drain/winterize.
• A small fan running would be a good idea.
• Irish spring (or any soap) is not a good idea. Keeps deer away but mice like the fat in the soap.

In four winter I haven't had a problem with rodents or condensation.

jim

P.S. 'fraid your comfy chair has been hijacked

 

[hoyden]

thanks, JaSAn!
Too sleepy to write more, but good advice!

Luckily, I have a matching chair (that I'm sitting in now!)

 

[hoyden]

Irish Spring Mouse Mythbusters!

 

[buckland]

I store mine in my barn as it iso in cold New England.

I have a solar extension cord to a panel in the window...keeps batteries full.
Open window a half inch.... open roof vent a half inch.
Never run furnace...just adds moisture via condensation. Ventilation is the key not heat.
I use volcanic rock moisture bag.
I undo the roof clamps at the very least but better lift up roof if room.
Put 1 gallon pink RV antifreeze in empty water tank.... pump sink until pink comes out... open drain valve until pink comes out.
Remove all freeze-ables
Be sure the tie down doors are properly shut (I lean something heavy against each one on the inside.
Open refrigerator a bit (something in the door to keep open and take out light bulb)
Everything has been fine for six winters.

 

[hoyden]

Oh, yah, I've got the antifreeze in - did that a month ago! and took most all my stuff out (food, clothes, etc)
Thanks for the furnace info! That's good point. I'll crack window. I might put screen over the turnbuckle doors too. Then I could open one for air movement. I have on my Amazon cart some moisture crystals, but they are an "add-on" so I'll need to get something $25. Maybe an excuse to get the hot air popcorn popper I've been wanting

Did this today, but gonna go get some more concrete pavers to put under the pallets just to get them off the ground.
Since the jacks are really doing the camper support (and the pallets for the belly), I'm not too worried about the pallets.

 

[buckland]

Forgot to mention I put my camper on a trailer so it is not on ground and can be wheeled out in spring. I have the jack stands down just to stabilize and take a itty bit of weight off the tires. (I have a ball hitch on the front of my truck too which makes moving it around easy)

 

[kmcintyre]

I leave mine half way popped up (back end) in my garage. I can't get the full camper popped up now that I have a taller truck. I keep the door opened, etc. It sits in there most of the winter. I don't take it off the truck so I keep a battery maintainer on the truck battery and on the camper battery. No issues w/ critters yet (as far as I know).

I don't keep my camper on shore power as it only powers the refrig.

 

[hoyden]

I have considered getting a trailer for it, but for now I think this works.

I took the cushions out, except the one that's attached to the back of the roll-over chair. Does that come off?
Still need to pop it up and take the bed cushions out, but it's only 26F out today, so that's gonna wait a few days to when it warms up above freezing! brrrr

 

[CougarCouple]

Hi hoyden
Season greetings. I would say there is sound advice from others who live in similar climate. Least it sounds like it to me. Still trying to understand why you want to leave soap so the mice can wash up. [emoji48]
Also there was a guy on here selling screens for the turnbuckle access. Was a good approach I thought. If someone has the like please post. I’ll try and find it later for you.

Russ

 

[buckland]

I did buy two of the screens and they are robust. I use them in the summer to get a draft going. If your camper is outside I’d be a bit nervous about persistent raccoons. A window a tad open and the vent just barely allows it to breathe. The covers zip off the roll over couch back but I believe I remember one has to remove screws. I did actually remove mine and used the hardware to make a side dinette with a rollover seat.

 

[hoyden]

Hi Russ!
Did you see my video I posted? It debunks the soap thing

Oh! I do vaguely remember the screens person. Where are you, screen person?!?!
I'll do a search.

buckland - I have the roll over seats to a table set up (side dinette). Dunno if that seat has the same attach as the couch? Hm.
I'll hafta pop up and have a closer look.

 

[shellback]

Hi Russ!
Did you see my video I posted? It debunks the soap thing

Oh! I do vaguely remember the screens person. Where are you, screen person?!?!
I'll do a search.

buckland - I have the roll over seats to a table set up (side dinette). Dunno if that seat has the same attach as the couch? Hm.
I'll hafta pop up and have a closer look.

This is the user name for the screen guy.

badtoytrd

 

[hoyden]

Thanks, shellback!

 

[hoyden]

Is there any reason to not leave camper popped up? Seems that'd help for airflow and no crevices for moisture to sit in.
If I have a tarp over it to keep sun and snow off?

 

[Outnabout]

I run a dehumidifier in mine. The temperature stays pretty stable and moisture as a factor for harm is removed.

 

[hoyden]

How did you drain the dehumidifier? Did you just check the bucket frequently, or run a hose out somewhere?