getting ready for the end of season

[kiwi2000]

Our first camping season is coming to and end. It was a lot of fun, and heart aches but we learned a lot.
I am wondering about what members do to prepare their unit for storage. I have secured an indoor site,(non heated) and am wondering if I should remove the TV's?
Anything else that should not get stored or should be done?

I have not even considered the anti freeze instructions yet. How much anti freeze will that take to fill all those lines? I will have to do some reading on that endeavor.

I am going to do the rubber roof treatment before it get stored and I have seen that it is a good idea to park on cardboard or wood.

[mikell]

save your storage money and spend it on campsites and use your rig year round. Just a thought being you still have 3 months

[Festus2]

kiwi2000 -
I'd suggest you do some research on "Winterizing an RV". If you Google this topic, you will find all sorts of sites and information about what to do. Check this forum as well using the search feature. Try "winterizing" and see what you come up with.

I've heard about keeping an RV up on wooden boards rather than asphalt or concrete but have yet to hear any kind of explanation why that is necessary or recommended.

mikell -
Judging by kiwi's location, it may not be possible or him to use his RV year-round--- unless he turns into a "snowbird".

[geo]

Because you might have an extended storage time, you should consider jacking the RV up and blocking the frame to take the weight off the tires. If you look in the generic Keystone manual or any of the tire manufacturers' website FAQs, they recommend taking the weight off the tires if storing the RV for longer than a couple of months. I don't doubt that this thought will cause some debate, but this recommendation is out there whether it is followed or not.

If you don't block up the frame and are not parking on concrete or asphalt, you will probably want to.use a board under the tires to keep them from freezing to the ground.

Ron

[chris199]

My initial reaction was "It's only August! Plenty of camping left...summer ends on Sept 23rd or so!! Then on thru Halloween at least!!" But then I saw they're in Canada. Their summer starts on June 23rd or so and ends sometime on July 23rd or so...

Sun was setting at 7:50 PM here today seems like it was setting at 8:50 just a little bit ago....now we're talking about RV storage and winterizing.....all too depressing!!!!

We're going to try to camp into November this year. We had that freak October snow last year. Winterized and stored at that point. Was premature. Weather was mild in PA in November.

We'll see how it goes....


ANYWAY....try Youtube....RV Education 101 very good videos OR just search RV or winterize in Youtube. Lots of good info there and for more visual learners like me....effective.

[monica4patience]

I sure would like to think that camping season is not over yet. However, with the kids back in school, and football season upon us, there is no time left for camping. Season ends mid-October at our campground. Hoping to get back up there after Labor Day but it may only be to winterize the unit and put her to bed for the winter. It's been a great summer!

[SAABDOCTOR]

THE Theory on puttting the tires on blocks of wood or plastic is to keep the concrete from drawing themoisture out of the rubber. That would be a tire store talking. do i do it yep it takes no time and since my wife is the one that heard it it is just easier to do than to explane.

[KJcachers]

Originally Posted by monica4patience

I sure would like to think that camping season is not over yet. However, with the kids back in school, and football season upon us, there is no time left for camping. Season ends mid-October at our campground. Hoping to get back up there after Labor Day but it may only be to winterize the unit and put her to bed for the winter. It's been a great summer!

Just starting for us! We love camping in cooler weather so after Labor until the snow is too deep works for us. There will be a time when the water lines will have to winterized but the state parks we will use will still have electric and open bath houses.

[kiwi2000]

I have read about the tires but not about taking the pressure of of the wheels of the trailer. I know I used to do that with my hot rod many moons ago.

I was wondering about the electronics as the dealer removed the TV's last year while it was stored.

No one else does this in the colder climates? Good one less thing to do.

Thank you all for your input we are actually attending a information session at our local dealer.

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by kiwi2000

I was wondering about the electronics as the dealer removed the TV's last year while it was stored.

No one else does this in the colder climates? Good one less thing to do.

LCD TV's should not be allowed to freeze.

[byrdr1]

storage.. dang I got 4 more trips between now and Jan 1,2013. with that being a 4-5 nighter in itself.
edn of Sept to the coast of NC, Halloween for 4 nights near the coast. Thanksgiving 8 nights near the coast, New years day til that Sunday at the beach in SC. then we will put her up. BUT I will have to add pink stuff before those last two trips maybe?? we'll see..
This is my kind of camping, cooler weather, fires at night and some during the day. Hay rides. Smores with Reeses cups instead of chocloate bars....
Kids in school so its just mama and me..Spring will be busy this next year with the last one getting ready to graduate and playing ball.

[monte1214]

Originally Posted by kiwi2000

I have read about the tires but not about taking the pressure of of the wheels of the trailer. I know I used to do that with my hot rod many moons ago.
I was wondering about the electronics as the dealer removed the TV's last year while it was stored.
No one else does this in the colder climates? Good one less thing to do.
Thank you all for your input we are actually attending a information session at our local dealer.

- Not sure where you are in Canada Kiwi, but I'm in Southern Ontario and usually winterize mine just before or around our Thanksgiving.
- Last 5 years I have left her parked on the "Pea Gravel" with no issues. No wood or anything under the tires.
- As for the TV's...yes! Bring them into the house. They don't like getting cold.

[TAZ23]

Originally Posted by SteveC7010

LCD TV's should not be allowed to freeze.

I leave mine in year round here in northern Wisconsin and have had no problems. The tv owners manual only says that a tv should be allowed to warm up before it is turned on.
I drive a semi for a freight company and deliver tv's to some of our customers and I can tell you that there are no "keep warm" provisions regarding the distribution and transportation of tv's. the are shipped on unheated trucks and kept in unheated docks from the point of origin to the destination without problems.
in the end every one should do what they are most comfortable with.

[JRTJH]

The LG owner's manual specifications are:

Operating Temperature: 32 - 104 *F (0 - 40*C)
Operating Humidity: Less than 80%

Storage Temperature: -4 - 140*F (-20 - 60*C)
Storage Humidity: Less than 85%

The Ford Rear Entertainment System Specifications are:

Operating Temperature: -4 - 158*F (-20 - 70*C)
Operating Humidity: Less than 90%

Storage Temperature: -22 - 185*F (-30 - 85*C)
Storage Humidity: Less than 95%

While the decision to remove your TV is entirely up to you, The above specifications indicate that for most of us, the TV will be stored within the allowable temperature range in most of the SOUTHERN half of the US. However, the NORTHERN half of the US and most of Canada may experience temperatures that fall below the storage limits.

I might also add that I've left our TV in the RV for the past 2 winters, temps have fallen to -30*F and our LG has worked well when used. Maybe we're lucky? I will say that operating temps are more critical and we've never turned on the TV when the surrounding temperature was less than about 50*F. Usually it's closer to 65 - 80 when used.

I will probably remove our TV this winter after researching this data. Your opinion may differ.

[mhs4771]

The best thing you can do is: Load up the rig and head for warmer climate, the best way to winterize the rig and yourself at the same time.

[Festus2]

Michelle & Ann wrote :
"The best thing you can do is: Load up the rig and head for warmer climate, the best way to winterize the rig and yourself at the same time".

Now THAT is the best winterizing solution I have ever come across. But what will I do with my snow shovel and thermal underwear? And please, no nasty comments!!

[hankaye]

Festus2, Howdy;

You can wrap up your snow (spit), shovel
in your thermals so it doesn't make those
annoying rattaling noises ......

hankaye

[fla-gypsy]

What is "The end of the season"? I am not familiar with that. I have heard of winterizing, that means I need to put long pants in the camper!

[Bruce Jackson]

I have been camping and traveling for about 25 years. I have
always blown all the water lines out with a air compressor and put
the pink antifreeze in all the "P" traps with no problems. Never removed the TV's, and never took the weight off the tires. And never had a problem in the spring.


2011 Montana 3150 RL
2003 Dodge 3500 Dually 5.9 Cummins HO
5TH Wheel Air Hitch

[azlee56]

Originally Posted by Festus2

Michelle & Ann wrote :
"The best thing you can do is: Load up the rig and head for warmer climate, the best way to winterize the rig and yourself at the same time".

Now THAT is the best winterizing solution I have ever come across. But what will I do with my snow shovel and thermal underwear? And please, no nasty comments!!

I would NEVER say any comments! (snort).