RV body deterioration

[Bill & Jan]

We have been planning on becoming full-timers for years and in September 2004, my wife and I purchased a new 33' Winnebago Sightseer with 2 slideouts. Both the body and roof are fiberglass. Initially, we had it stored at the dealer's but had to move it. It is now being stored on a friend's property in a grassy field next to some broken down buildings. It is not covered, including tires, and we are concerned about environmental damage to the body (sealant on rain gutters, air conditioning units, etc.), and tires along with possible mice damage. It will be stored in this location for at least another year, as circumstances won't allow us to become full-timers until 2007. Any suggestion on what can...or should...be done to protect it? Before we take it out on the road, should we have it checked over by the dealer's maintenance facility?

[Bill & Jan]

We have been planning on becoming full-timers for years and in September 2004, my wife and I purchased a new 33' Winnebago Sightseer with 2 slideouts. Both the body and roof are fiberglass. Initially, we had it stored at the dealer's but had to move it. It is now being stored on a friend's property in a grassy field next to some broken down buildings. It is not covered, including tires, and we are concerned about environmental damage to the body (sealant on rain gutters, air conditioning units, etc.), and tires along with possible mice damage. It will be stored in this location for at least another year, as circumstances won't allow us to become full-timers until 2007. Any suggestion on what can...or should...be done to protect it? Before we take it out on the road, should we have it checked over by the dealer's maintenance facility?

[smlranger]

Suggestions:

1. get some tire covers...they are not expensive and are easy to put on and remove.
2. If you are not going to use it often, consider a cover. There are mixed reviews on covers...some say they are a PITA to put on/take off, some say they are no problem. I do not use one because we use our rig often and it is partially shaded.
3. make sure you have sealed any exterior opening into which a mouse might enter. Some folks use Bounce dryer sheets in exterior compartments, moth balls on the ground, and D-con. I use the dryer sheets and will use D-con on the ground just inside the tires.
4. get one of those mud dauber screens for your furnace intake/vent..that will keep bugs and critters out.
5. put boards or some other material under the tires that will minimize water contact with your tires.
6. if you can, drive the rig for at least 50 miles periodically to keep the running gear in good shape.

Others on this forum may have other helpful suggestions. Hope your full timing days are soon and happy.

[Adventurous]

Don't forget to run the generator regularly, with a load. This means turn on the AC or something like it.

If you can, treat yourself to a weekend getaway now and then. It will do you and the motorhome some good!!
You will get to know the ins and outs and when you are ready to go full time you and the motorhome will be ready.
good luck!

[no18yes]

Don't for get your batteries. the house batteries are trickle charged with the solar cell, but the chasis battery is not and will go dead on you unless you check it, but like others have said you need to run it every so often, especially the generator. I find it strange that you bought this rig and are going to just sit on it for a year without using it. That is too much money to just leave it in field for a year. Hope things work out so that won't be the case..

[Thudman]

Ensure you have full fuel and add the appropriate amount of Stabil to your fuel tank, then drive the rig to mix the Stabil. Also, run the Generator (loaded) so the Stabil gets to the Generator.

Thudman

[Radarr]

The "Plans of mice and men, off go astray". Sorry to hear they didn't go as you wanted, but if your not going to be using your coach for that long a time, your really doing yourself a great injustic and the coach too. You'll probably cause the coach more problems by not using it and especially storing itoutside left to the environment. Boy, if you do anything, find a place to store it inside and then winterize it really good. You can place a small ad in you local newspaper, "looking for MotorHome Storage"

The hard facts, but true, maybe another option would be to sell it now and start all over again when your ready. What you'll loose now won't compare the deterioration value from sitting that long.

Radarr