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Old 10-15-2020, 08:15 AM   #1
Kalalaubeach
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Winter Storage - Home Office?

We have a new to us 2013 238ML that we purchased from the original owner about a year and a half ago. We recently moved into a smaller home which means I no longer have a room in the house for dedicated office space. I work from home. We are storing our trailer in our driveway and I had planned to put a cover on it for the winter months. However, I have been using it as my home office all summer and it has worked out beautifully. All the conveniences of home and just steps away. Plus, this will work well as a spare guest room on the rare occasion when we have overnight guests.

I will continue to keep it under power and keep it heated. I will also winterize the water system. However, given the situation I don’t see how I can put a cover on it. Especially since I’ll be in and out of it all the time and I need to be able to see out the windows and open the roof vents occasionally while I’m working. It will not fit in my garage and I don’t have one of those aluminum structures I can park it under.

We live in the Pacific Northwest and get a lot of rain in the fall and winter months. Are there any concerns, thoughts or suggestions any of you have given the situation I described? I want to be careful about leaks as well as moisture, and anything else you all can think of I should be worrying about. Thank you!
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Old 10-15-2020, 08:38 AM   #2
wiredgeorge
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Your main concern is to learn about maintaining the sealing material on your roof and the sides of the trailer (around windows/doors, etc). Get this done ASAP. If you haven't, install the appropriate 30A or 50A outlet near to the trailer (electrician) and plug the trailer in and use electric heat. A couple of oil filled heaters work well and are safe. As far as a cover, in a humid climate, they trap moisture and do more damage than good. If you built a hard RV port, that would keep the elements off your camper but I realize not everyone will want to do this over their drive. If you have property, perhaps a dedicated RV pad with hookups and RV port might be an answer.
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Old 10-18-2020, 06:34 PM   #3
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We live in the Pacific North West as well. My suggestion would to cover the top, with a smaller tarp. Covering just the roof and some of the side. I would also run a small dehumidifier during the night when the heat is off to help combat the moisture that will develop. Keep a small fan running to circulate the air. Otherwise it will be fine. We tarped our camper every year using a small heater to take the chill off and Dri ease to remove the moisture. Worked great for us.
With the trailer we just upped the amount of dri ease used, out a heater that has a fan and fully covered as we don’t use it Nov to March.
The oil filled heaters are great to heat but you do need air movement.
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Old 10-18-2020, 10:05 PM   #4
travelin texans
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We live in the Pacific North West as well. My suggestion would to cover the top, with a smaller tarp. Covering just the roof and some of the side. I would also run a small dehumidifier during the night when the heat is off to help combat the moisture that will develop. Keep a small fan running to circulate the air. Otherwise it will be fine. We tarped our camper every year using a small heater to take the chill off and Dri ease to remove the moisture. Worked great for us.
With the trailer we just upped the amount of dri ease used, out a heater that has a fan and fully covered as we don’t use it Nov to March.
The oil filled heaters are great to heat but you do need air movement.
Absolutely positively DO NOT cover the roof with a tarp, that's asking for mold/mildew issues.
You'd be better following George's recommendation of keeping a close watch of windows & other seals & not worry about covering it.
Do you cover it in the summer? If not why do it now?
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Old 07-19-2021, 12:42 AM   #5
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Winter storage as a home office. To be honest, that sounds like an idea, but in fact, I am not really sure that it’s a good one. First of all, when I think about an office, it’s about durability, no? So, what kind of durability we can discuss here if you are simply moving for a season? The best option in case you need an office is to go see a place like (removed as spam) and let them find you a good office. All your requirements will be fulfilled, believe me. This is a company of professionals, not a scam agency!
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Old 07-19-2021, 05:03 AM   #6
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Winter storage as a home office. To be honest, that sounds like an idea, but in fact, I am not really sure that it’s a good one. First of all, when I think about an office, it’s about durability, no? So, what kind of durability we can discuss here if you are simply moving for a season? The best option in case you need an office is to go see a place like (removed as spam) and let them find you a good office. All your requirements will be fulfilled, believe me. This is a company of professionals, not a scam agency!

How would a company with a Singapore internet site be able to find an American an office? Do you actually own a camper? If so, please go to the UserCP at the top of every page and make a signature with camper year, make and model and the same for your tow vehicle. Welcome!
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Old 07-19-2021, 02:55 PM   #7
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Just say NO to the cover or any tarp system period. And for all the reasons listed.
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Old 07-19-2021, 03:28 PM   #8
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How would a company with a Singapore internet site be able to find an American an office? Do you actually own a camper? If so, please go to the UserCP at the top of every page and make a signature with camper year, make and model and the same for your tow vehicle. Welcome!
Been quite a few new members in July with one random post …
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Old 07-19-2021, 06:13 PM   #9
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If someone is worried about using their RV as an office (or for traveling), best sell it now. Not sure what the big deal is of using an RV sitting at your residence vs at an RV park. Mine sits on my property and I use it often as a sanctuary. Many people full time with no issues.
I say enjoy it. The months you use it solely as an office, don’t forget to write it off!
And, absolutely, keep an eye on the seals…as you would even if you just stored it for the winters!
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Old 07-19-2021, 06:31 PM   #10
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Didn’t that tax deduction for home offices go way? I know what you could deduct and the amount was being reduced evey year for quite a few years.
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Old 07-19-2021, 07:31 PM   #11
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You might be correct. I haven’t been able to use any deductions for many years (fortunately I guess) for myself. Wife used to be able to claim that for her biz, but I don’t pay attention to any of that anymore. Our CPA takes care of the hard work now! Lol
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Old 07-20-2021, 07:40 AM   #12
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When we were able to park ours at the house I had water & electric (always plugged in with fridge on) installed & used my little blue buddy to dump tanks as needed. We used it as an office, a guest room & DWs sewing room or whatever else we wanted it to be. They hold up better being used far better than sitting stored all closed up, at least in my opinion.
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