Storage conditions for long-term

[notanlines]

We plan to leave our 5th wheel in storage in Florida for 6 months until we return in the fall. Our concern is mold forming insde the RV while we are gone. The unit will not be covered. What are the recommendations from people experienced in this situation? Leave the windows cracked open? Leave bags of open charcoal/cat liter inside? (Yes, we have heard many odd ideas) Or leave the unit sealed tight and hope for the best?

[chuckster57]

I leave the roof vents open. Air flow is critical in keeping things dry IMO.

[dutchmensport]

Here's a post that appeared on a sister forum site to this one. Unfortunately, I got shot down, so read on down. I think the reason I got shot down is because I don't live in Florida nor do I store any RV there either, so my experience living in a snow state is quite different. But take the time to read through this. The person who posted this does have access to electricity. You didn't mention if you have access to electricity while you are gone.

Click here

Good Luck

[curtiscapk]

+1 on Charcoal LOTS of boaters including me use it over winter month storage.

and anything to get some air movement.

[linux3]

The place we are staying has many Canadians and they stay for 6 months at a time.
Rather than pull they store their RV's at the CG. No cover.
Let me ask around because some of the Canadian folks I know have been doing this for years.
I'll get back with real world experiences.

[sourdough]

Jim will you have power to the unit?

[flybouy]

I would open roof vents, obviously if you have vent covers. I would pull pillows away from contacting walls and place boards under mattress to allow air circulation. Open all cabinet doors, set couch cusions on edge to allow air flow. Drain tanks includimg water heater.

[linux3]

OK, I talked to 4 guys who store their 5'ers outside down here in S. Florida. 3 Canadians, one guy from PA.
All pretty much said the same thing.
Get covers for your roof vents and crack the vents open a bit.
Buy 8 cans of Damp Rid from the Dollar store. Put 2 upstairs and spread the rest out.
Put 4 pans of kitty litter around, one upstairs 3 down. Kitty litter absorbs moisture.
3 roach motels, 1 up and 2 down.
3 ant traps, one up and 2 down.

Plus the obvious, calk roof and any hatches.

One of the Canadians said he sprays bug killer under his RV but the other 3 said they didn't.

One of them, Larry has a 2012 5'er in really nice shape. Real nice.
The other 3 are newer but also good.

[notanlines]

No power to the unit. Vent covers are on order, and with an open RV (all windows cracked) the charcoal/kitty liter can’t absorb six months worth of air exchange. I understand it might have a chance with sealed trailer. I don’t mind doing it, but I don’t see how it would make much difference.