Community Forums

ShinySideUp · 08-28-2016, 02:03 PM

Yes, we know that we need to winterize the RV systems.......
We will need to store our new RV in the Winter Frozen North Central USA for this winter season and 1/2 of the next winter until January 1, 2018.
We, of course, want to take the best care of it.

It is too tall to fit in our Pole Shed or garage.
We can't add another building here.
We have a large cement pad from a old building we took down this summer.
Our plan it to pour a good pad in the old pad spot and put a "hoop barn" type roof over it to park the RV under when it's "home". Then cover the tires.

Is that enough or should we invest in a cover also?
From what I've read, it should be breathable not heavy canvas.....
but that's all I know. Any comments or suggestions out there?

BFlinn181 · 08-28-2016, 03:21 PM

I think the hoop barn cover should be fine. What type of material is the covering on the hoop structure? Is it waterproof and give UV protection to the RV? To put a cover on the RV under a covered hoop barn is probably overkill, just opens you up to chafing and less air circulation. Be sure to 'crack' the roof vents, under vent covers if you've got them, and open a window or two a bit for air circulation. If you have electricity, you can either use the on board charger or use a trickle charger or two to maintain the batteries.

ShinySideUp · 08-28-2016, 04:01 PM

Thank you for the vent crack/air ventalation tip.
The hoop barn has 3 ft concrete walls with drain holes and the covering will be a super heavy duty nylon, or S HD plastic or metal...undecided yet. The only real sun exposure will be on the drivers side which will be facing south.

It will be partially exposed to the wind, sleet, snow we get. We're wondering how the exposed shell will take that. It's a 38' gel coated fiberglass 5er.

BFlinn181 · 08-28-2016, 04:09 PM

I know it's a chore, but a coating of protective wax will reduce weathering on the exposed side. Do a section at a time over a few days, or invite the family to pitch in!

ShinySideUp · 08-28-2016, 05:58 PM

Thanks that makes sense!

UTTransplant · 08-28-2016, 08:07 PM

We lived in Iowa for years -quite cold (-20 not uncommon) and snowy. We never had any problems just winterizing well and leaving trailers in the open. We did remove the battery and kept it in the basement, charging it every month or so. Everything else did just fine. I didn't leave vents open, thinking that was a good way to get varmints inside. The air in winter is very dry anyway.

BFlinn181 · 08-28-2016, 08:31 PM

What 'varmints' are going to come in a barely cracked open window or roof vent that is covered by a screen? Must be one we don't have in Ohio, I've never had an infestation!

ShinySideUp · 08-29-2016, 09:32 AM

Thanks for your input UTT....DH is from NW Iowa so it's nice to hear how it worked there for you.

BFlinn, I get the crack a vent scenario and we'll do that...very, very small crack or 2 open, right before it snows so those darn Asian beetles don't fill up the inside. Those dang lady bug impersonators get into everything these days.

We are rural & treed well, so we do have mice & squirrel issues for sure here.
We will definitely be over treating the area for those lil pests this winter.
Probably be doing that pretty soon, as they start looking for winter shelter here soon after Labor Day. We've had good results using moth balls & steel wool in cracks around pole shed floor to keep them out of there & protect the toys.
We also scatter some mice poison boxes around inside. 15 years here and no damage from them yet.