To store the 5'er in GA., or not to store in GA., that is the question...

[JyRO]

Howdy!



I've got at least a couple more years up here in Michigan. Its been a good experience up here, homes are a good investment and I have the best neighbor in the world. Anyway... my mother-in-law lives about an hour west of Savannah, GA. (howdy Alan Reagan!). They just bought a new (to them) house, that sits on 4 or 5 acres. They have a big separate garage that sits right next to the house. I'm considering hauling my 5'er down there due to the warmer climate being less harsh on the unit over the winter. I would park my 5'er beside their garage.



Mainly I would be worried about vandalism or the fact that the 5'er could be poached. If I take it down there, I plan on doing the following things at a minimum and wondered if you guys would do the same, or if there's anything else you might do. I will appreciate any input.



1. I'll put the RV Anti-freeze in it the same as if I were to store it here in MI.



2. Remove the batteries (store/hide them in the garage the 5'er will be parked next to). Leave the battery compartment doors slighly open, so some theif won't break the doors open to steal batteries that are not there. Should I keep my battery tender on the batteries?



3. Remove the propane tanks. Store/hide them in the garage. One tank is already empty, the other wouldn't take much use to empty it. They would be stored empty.



4. Remove all other valuables. Leave the exterior storage doors unlocked so they're not broken open. Lock & deadbolt the door into the 5'er.



I would also like to consider standing the 5'er on its axles and removing the wheels to prevent it from being stolen, but I don't think that would be very good for the axles. Also, some moron may still hook-up to it and pull it off the stands, not noticing the lack of wheels.



Of course my mother and father-in-law would notice if the 5'er is there on not, but I wouldn't expect them to notice if anything minor had happended to it (vandalism), its not their responsibility. They'd be doing me a good favor to let me keep it down there. Their house has a good bit of activity during the day, so I think it would only be tampered with at night. At my house it most likely wouldn't be tampered with and couldn't be stolen. So I'm not sure if taking it down there for the warmer weather is worth it or not.



Thanks your any input.



- JyRO

 

[TowPro]

I would winterize it, check the roof out to make sure there is not any leaks starting, fill the propane tanks, and keep in with you in MI.



Personaly I have a charger that has this thing called a "charge wizard" plugged into it. Using this charger I have left the RV plugged in (since the spring 2000) and the battery is holding up very well, almost no water loss.



By keeping my camper "ready to move into" I have a place to move into if there is a winter storm that causes me to have to move out of my home (electric goes out longer then the generator and fuel will last, or tree falls on home) Plus I feel its safe at my house.



Also keep in mine, down in GA they have these pine trees that will leak sap all over your camper if you park under one.



Also that area of GA is pretty damp (my wife is from Macon GA) I bet you could grow a pretty good crop of moss on that thing over the winter. When its below freezing in MI, at least you don't have to worry about the mold growing.



Plus I feel a deep freeze is good for a camper, it kills all the bugs that may have moved into it during the summer!



Now the number one reason, if that camper is there with you looking at it all winter, you will be ready to go camping the first warm weekend of spring!

 

[dmurdock]

If you do store it, buy a 5th-wheel kingpin lock. Camping world sells them (they're pretty cheap too).

 

[cbconway]

Don't worry

Sounds like you're talking about someplace close to Statesboro & probably pretty rural. Keep in mind that folks just don't go snoopin' around on other people's property in rural Georgia, especially right next to a house. Ain't healthy. Great hunting & fishing so most everybody has a gun & knows how to use it. My son's family lives in Statesboro & they don't even lock their doors, even in town.

 

[klenger]

All of the above + good insurance. It's a risk anywhere you store it.

 

[Turbo Thom]

I have to agree with TowPro.



I don't think you would have to worry about moss but you will mildew. In Savannah I would think that would be a constant problem. It is here in Milner. I have a constant battle with it.



Put in RV anti-freeze and let it freeze outside.



. . Preston. .