RV Parking

[TFlewitt]

Just joined TDR recently after buying our first DC. Bought it in preparation for towing a 5th wheel which we are still looking for. Questions about storing one when we get it. How do you store these? I've heard that if not correctly stored, they smell like sewage and you'll never lose the smell. Should the inside be vented somehow? What needs to be closed and what needs to be opened? Should the cushions, etc. , be stored separately?



Our property is too small to store a 30-34' 5th wheel so we have to find a place for 6-8 months until we move to a larger place. Where is the best place to store an RV? Indoor-outdoor, covered, etc? Anyone in Orange County, CA know of a good and even economical place? Thanks for your info!



Todd

 

[klenger]

We store ours an a nearby RV park that has a storage lot. We have never had any problems with smell, water, critters, etc. Any smell from the holding tanks should be vented outside. Make sure that you have water in the sink and shower traps.

 

[BrianWalker]

Welcome!, I'm still new myself.

I store mine at the El Toro Marine base (All Star Storage, 949. 726. 1756), there is a waiting list to get in.



My brother is at Baker Ranch RV storage in (Lake Forest, Mission V. , Foothill Ranch or ???) It's on Bake, near Portola.



Everything Klenger said.

After using the frig, we prop ours open with a towel so it can dry out and not mildew.

If we dump without "spraying" the black tank, we'll get a smell.

We find it best if we spray with one of those 90 deg jet nossels and really rinse the **... it out of it! no smell.

No winterizing needed in So. Cal.

Cover your tires or entire rig to slow down the sun bake.

I do need to get a small solar charger to keep the batteries charged (plenty of sun here).



Brian

 

[exfuzz01]

RV storage

In addition to the above tips...



Get vent covers so you can leave the top vents ajar.



I always recharge the black tank with water and chemicals after dumping. Have never had any odor.



During the winter months I place a couple of de-humidifiers inside. . works on convection... purchased at Camping World.



I am lucky... park it next to my house and plugged in.

 

[Helohauler]

My . 02 fer what it's worth... ... ...

We are in our 9th year of 5th wheeling and I give a big thumbs up to all the recommendations stated above!

Prior to long term storage(several months) I would add:

After a thorough cleaning of the black water tank, put in a few gallons of water and waste chemical.

Complete cleanup of the interior.

Wash the exterior

Keep that rubber roof clean and treated or it will streak your sides and look shabby!

Be completely anal and get the wheels just off the ground on two pair of cheapo stands so you won't develop flat spots.

Most of all, have lotsa good times!

 

[socal_rattler]

I use Dris_air in mine to keep the humidity down while stored. This will help keep smell from developing due to condensation inside the trailer.

 

[DHawthorne]

If you can find a storage place with a covered area, that is preferable. I keep mine under cover with the roof vents open. I catch a little mildew in Feb and March inside sometimes. I put some of that water absorbing material in the trailer during that time.



If you pump your tanks prior to leaving you last site and put the normal amount of order control agent in the tank, you should not have any trouble with odor inside. Don't forget the gray water tank as it stinks worse than the sewage tank sometimes. Leave the plugs in the drains when you store the fiver.



Being under cover helps the maintenance costs alot. My wax job is going on 2 years old. Still good.



Good luck



Dave

 

[cwsoules]

We have stored ours in a RV park ($25 a month) and in a stowage area in Alameda ($80 a month). While at the RV Park my wheel blocks were stolen. In Alameda they broke in and stole the VCR. The Alameda site even claimed to have guards patroling the area. They did not see the lights the thief left on. He was there long enough to eat some of our food and use our head.



Be now store it in our yard. That is your best option when you can use it. It would be nice if I could cover it, but we use it daily for one reason or another. Currently my wife is watching a different TV show in the house while I'm in the show in the rig watching different show.

 

[Beast2B]

Helohauler, you mentioned "treating" the rubber roof... What should I use to treat it? (and what is the best way to get rid of the streaks once they've developed?)

Thanks

 

[RustyJC]

We keep our 5ver in covered storage. Our storage facility provides 30 amp service in each covered storage site ($80/month), so we keep the rig plugged in with the fridge running, etc. - for the sake of your batteries, don't try this without a Progressive Dynamics Intellipower converter with Charge Wizard, or equivalent. This also allows us to use ceramic heaters in the 5ver during those few times each winter that ambient temperatures fall below freezing here on the Texas Gulf Coast. Our 5ver is now about 4-1/2 years old, and thanks to covered storage and regular maintenance, you'd be hard pressed to tell it from a new one.



It may not be a problem where you are, but we learned a lesson about leaving the roof vents open for ventilation. There are tiny black bugs that can fit through the screen mesh in the vents - it took us two rounds of fumigation and a super-thorough interior cleaning to get rid of the critters. Ours stays sealed up tight now while it's in storage! No problems with moisture, mildew, odors, etc.



Rusty

 

[DHawthorne]

Hey Rusty, my storage area is cheap and don't supply electric.

You got the better deal. I'm paying 74/month. I wish I had electric at the storage area. Something to do with the codes here for storage areas.



See ya on the Big Road



Dave

 

[RustyJC]

Yep, we've got a great deal for $80/month for covered storage. The owners live on site and never leave the lot unattended - as an example, if I happen to be out there working on my rig, they'll ask me to keep an eye on things until they can run to the store. They have a wash rack, a dump station, air compressor, etc.



One of the members of our RVing club had a heart attack while we were camping together around New Year's Day - he was 500 miles from home. While he was in the hospital and then while he and his family were staying at our house during his recuperation, the owners of the storage facility kept his 5ver plugged in (to save the food in the fridge) for 10 days at the lot at no charge. They're really good folks!



Rusty

 

[GCross]

I'm like you, no room to park an RV, and have been holding off due to the high cost of storage in LA County. I would guess Orange County is no less. The lot closest to my home wants $130 a month. I think I'll wait until I retire (2006) and get a place with room to park it.



-George-

 

[merryman]

I do have a covered place beside my shop to park the fiver under, but since 1972 all I have done is drain the holding tanks befor parking, drain the fresh water tank, and leave it. Never an odor problem. I do disinfect the fresh water tank befor using again if it has been parked more than a few weeks.

I finally concluded the holding tank chemicals are worthless! I have used none for the past two years, and there is no more odor problem than when I was using them.

I decided to try this when I started running into RV parks that wanted to see my chemical container and did not alow anyone in who was using a chemical containing formalddehyd or ANY of its relatives.

The rationale is that these chemicals kill off the bacteria that the park septic systems depend on the keep their systems working. Our natural "deposits" contain just the little bugs, the systems need; better to have this action digest any residue of waste than have it all lay there in an "ooze" of noxious chemicals.

Vaughn