Jim & Alice Posted September 28, 2017 Report Share Posted September 28, 2017 Hoping for some advice. We are parking our 36' Class A Dolphin Motorhome for three months, on our private lot in the Yuma, AZ area. Timing is early-October thru early-January. Wondering... What actions for storing should we consider? I am currently planning to... disconnect house batteries... turn off water.... turn off Electricity (Breaker)... drain tanks... close slide-outs... Dish down... I also wonder about leaving water hose hooked up, sewer hose hooked up, electricity cable hooked up. Am I missing anything? Thanks much, Jim 2007 Dolphin Safe-T-Plus Steering Bar Our Blog: Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsallyh Posted September 28, 2017 Report Share Posted September 28, 2017 We own a lot here in the Foothills also and here now. We have never "stored" the rig here but are familiar with folks that do so. Both in parks and private lots. Disconnect house batteries---yes turn off water at the source (faucet). If you are on Far West water, I'd turn the water off on your side of the wall. store hoses also because of UV rays turn off electricity at breaker tanks, you could leave some water in each tank, not necessary though sewer hose, if covered let it hooked up, but shut valve, if out in the sun, store it as it may save you several months of use. sun loves the blue, brown, and red sewer hoses. power cable to the rig, pick up and store. Never had a problem with thievery, but an unattended 50 amp cable could be inviting. dish stored, and all roof vents closed, all windows closed. slides in and no awnings out. if I can be of more help just PM me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 3 hours ago, jlapeer said: I also wonder about leaving water hose hooked up, sewer hose hooked up, electricity cable hooked up. I probably wouldn't unless you plan to arrive late and want to use it very quickly. And we always prop the door of the refrigerator open. I do put several gallons of clean water into both of our waste tanks just to prevent the drying up of any residue left behind when dumping. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 After cleaning fridge, put newspapers and coffee grounds in each and close doors. If you have covers on your roof vents leave vents partial open. I put a zip lock bag of water over each drain and also over the ball in the toilet. Make sure tires are covered. We also cover front windshield and side windows and close all blinds Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scouserl41 Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 We just stored our rig for 4 months in FL this summer with no problems. Did pretty much what everyone else recommends with the addition of making window shades from stuff called "Reflectix" (I think that's what is was called). Anyway it's like bubble wrap except it has a mirrored finish. You can get it from Home Depot etc., It's easy to work with, you can cut it with regular scissors. There's a special tape available to join pieces together but duct tape would probably be fine. It comes in rolls about 12' by 2 1/2'. We made a shade for each window leaving them 1/2" oversize. The 1/2" was enough to let us jam it in the window openings behind the day/night shades and it held for the entire period without anything else to hold it in place. It really kept the interior temperature down. We even made a set for the car too. Sun and heat can really damage the interior of any vehicle. I definitely recommend tire covers plus park with the tires on some plywood to isolate the tires from the ground. We have some 1/8" polypropylene pads we use for this. Make sure there is no food left in the rig, nothing at all that isn't in cans. Rodents love to get into RV's. We sprinkled ant killer all around each wheel to keep insects out and put bags of mouse repellant in the engine compartment of the rig and the car. (We found a mouse nest in the motorhome engine compartment when we came to leave our winter quarters this year). When you get back you may have to fill and empty the fresh water tank 4 or 5 times before it starts to taste normal again. Hope this helps BnB 2009 Monaco Cayman DP 38' bnbrv.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim & Alice Posted September 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 Thanks to all the folks here that offered advice... Bob & Sally... Kirk... Barb... scouserl41... Thank you very much! Alice and I are going to print these all off, and come up with our departure plan. The backdrop? We have an RV lot here in the Yuma Area that we (recently) own, and for the first time are leaving the MH on site here for a lengthy period of time to drive (toad) back east for extended family visits. We have great neighbors, and that will help. Thank you again, folks, and if I can ever help out in reverse, just shout. Jim & Alice LaPeer 2007 Dolphin Safe-T-Plus Steering Bar Our Blog: Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty77_7 Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 If you have power, and don't mind paying for it, you could do all of the other things, but leave power on and set AC to 90-95 to have the AC kick on. It can sell get very hot in Yuma the next few months... Since you have good neighbors, leave your key with them and ask them to spot check the coach from time to time... Barb - I was going to add to pour some oil base film into the sinks to keep the P Traps from drying out. But I sure like the tip on baggies with water as seals... Don't recall having read that one before:)! Best to all, Smitty Be safe, have fun, Smitty 04 CC Allure "RooII" - Our "E" ride for life! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim & Alice Posted September 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 On 9/28/2017 at 6:58 PM, Barbaraok said: I put a zip lock bag of water over each drain and also over the ball in the toilet. Barb, like Smitty points out, is using the zip lock bags for 'moisture seals' the reason for doing? Thanks, Jim 2007 Dolphin Safe-T-Plus Steering Bar Our Blog: Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 Easy to do, keeps dust, etc., out of drain and have water right there to pour into trap as we take coach out of storage come spring. Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappir Posted October 1, 2017 Report Share Posted October 1, 2017 8 hours ago, Barbaraok said: Easy to do, keeps dust, etc., out of drain and have water right there to pour into trap as we take coach out of storage come spring. Great idea, could limit evaporation and keep the traps full. Rod White 2000/2010Volvo VNL 770 with 7' Drom box with opposing doors, JOST slider hitch. 600 HP Cummins Signature 18 Speed three pedal auto shift. 1999 Isuzu VehiCross retired to a sticks and bricks garage. Brought out of storage the summer of 2022 2022 Jeep Wrangler Sport S Two door hard top. 2007 Honda GL 1800 2013 Space Craft Mfg S420 Custom built Toyhauler The Gold Volvo is still running and being emptied in July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted October 1, 2017 Report Share Posted October 1, 2017 On 9/28/2017 at 8:58 PM, Barbaraok said: I put a zip lock bag of water over each drain I think that this one could be good for more than just when storing the RV. We always use the sink stoppers when traveling to prevent the wind over the plumbing vents drawing the water out of the traps, but I'm thinking that the zip-lock bag of water would be a good idea there also as it would give a better seal and refresh the water in the traps immediately upon stopping. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted October 25, 2017 Report Share Posted October 25, 2017 On 9/28/2017 at 9:58 PM, Barbaraok said: After cleaning fridge, put newspapers and coffee grounds in each and close doors. If you have covers on your roof vents leave vents partial open. I put a zip lock bag of water over each drain and also over the ball in the toilet. Make sure tires are covered. We also cover front windshield and side windows and close all blinds Thanks for the water bag tip. I realized there is another use; I bought DW flowers and she couldn't find a safe place for them while driving. I filled a few Zip-lock bags and placed them around the vase in the kitchen sink. They rode well without falling over. 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinger Posted October 25, 2017 Report Share Posted October 25, 2017 Don't forget the STA-Bil in the fuel tank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Saran Posted November 1, 2017 Report Share Posted November 1, 2017 I have to ask does it every get down to freezing at night during the winter where you are? If so I would add RV antifreeze to the sink drains and the toilet. But then I live in Colorado and we do get down to freezing temps. Phil & Alberta Saran 2019 Keystone Cougar 30RLS 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 diesel Colorado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim & Alice Posted January 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 Feedback on this thread. We took the advice of the many excellent comments here, when we stored our motorhome on our lot in Wellton, AZ. We were gone 105 days (Oct - Jan), driving the toad. When we returned the motorhome 'started back up' quite nicely. Only problem we had... was (evidently) dust on our 50 Amp plug prongs... that may have caused some voltage variances. Our surge protector recycled us twice before I checked the plug... noticed a fine layer of dust on the plug prongs, cleaned them, and that seemed to fix things. Curious, as this dust was minuscule. Also, I would use Stabil next time. Did not do that this time. A few comments below this post is a checkoff list of the things we did in preparation to be gone 3 months. 2007 Dolphin Safe-T-Plus Steering Bar Our Blog: Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 52 minutes ago, Jim & Alice said: Motorhome Storage.docx.lnk My computer said it had no app to open this link. Linda Sand Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim & Alice Posted January 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 15 minutes ago, sandsys said: My computer said it had no app to open this link. Linda Sand Linda, could you please try it again? Let me know? Jim 2007 Dolphin Safe-T-Plus Steering Bar Our Blog: Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 8 hours ago, Jim & Alice said: Linda, could you please try it again? Let me know? Jim I'm not Linda, but I went to your post and tried to open that link and it appears to be pointing to a file that is stored on your computer. In looking at the name, ".docx" is the file extension for an MS Word file of recent vintage. Older versions use ".doc" for theirs. You can't link to a file that is on your computer but must have it stored somewhere on the internet. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted January 26, 2018 Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 Good link now, but it's to a download file. The Word doc needs to be proof-read, too. The shed has the same action twice, with different wording. I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim & Alice Posted January 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2018 Sorry, Folks, for the confusion with this document. I spent 35+ years as an IT person... and learned one thing for sure: To Err is human... but to REALLY foul things up requires a computer! Here is a cut & paste of the same document. c Shed - Close & lock windows. c Shed - Lock shed. c Shed - Motorhome - Place spare Keys on nail hook inside shed. c Water - Turn off at faucet. c Electric - Turn off at AC breaker box (turn breaker box off last). c Satellite dish - Down & stored. Pause Dish contract. c Slides - Bring in. c Steps - Leave up. c Battery Disc. - Disconnect button. c Tanks - Leave a little water in Black, Gray tanks. c Cabinets - Lock outdoor cabinets. c Drapes - Put down all. c Drains - Ziploc bags, water filled, over drains to seal. c Sewer Hose - Detach, store in water compartment. c Water Hose - Detach, store in shed. c Electric Cable - Detach, store in shed. c Pest - Put D-Con out. 2007 Dolphin Safe-T-Plus Steering Bar Our Blog: Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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