Checklist for summer storage?

[daveb1256]

Does anyone have a checklist they use when hiring someone to check on and excercise a Class A motorhome while being closed up for the summer?

Due to high fuel costs and a severe lack of available repair facilities if a breakdown occurs, we have decided to leave our 06 Intrigue parked and closed up for the summer. It may sit for as long as 5 months before we return. Never having done this before, we are concerned about having someone check on it monthly. We plan to leave the coach plugged in to a 15A cord and turn off everything but the refrigerator so it will trickle charge the batteries. Besides starting and running the engine, any ideas or a list of items to check or excercise would be helpful. Thank you in advance for your suggestions or comments.

[wolfe10]

What area are you storing it in? If storing in a humid area, use a small house-type dehumidifier.


If engine or generator is close to oil change time, do it before storing.



Add a BIOCIDE such as Biobar JF to the diesel tank and completely fill to reduce condensation.


Do NOT start the main diesel engine unless it can be driven a minimum of 25 highway miles. To start and just idle it will just add condensation to the engine.


Starting the generator is fine as long as a 50% load is applied and run a minimum of 30 minutes.

[daveb1256]

Thanks for your suggestions Brett! The engine was recently serviced, the fuel tank is full but I will add the biocide. The coach will be stored on our pad at an RV resort in the high California desert. It will be outside, but there is little humidity and though temps can exceed 100 on a few days, it is not like Palm Springs or Phoenix.

Since I will be unlikely to find someone who will take on the responsibility of taking the coach out to drive it and then repark it in the space, it will likely not be driven for 5 months. Do you still think it is better to let it sit without starting than to start it and run it on fast idle for 30 minutes?

We have 2 Fantastic roof fans that will sense rain and close, but I am hesitant to leave them open. Better to open a couple of windows slightly for ventilation?

Of course no food will be left on board or in the fridg, but are Bounce sheets scattered around and in the engine compartment a good idea?

Any other suggestions are welcome.

[astrnmrtom]

Yes, it is better to let it sit. The diesel engine will not get hot enough to do any good even at high idle. Do have the generator run every month for 20-30 minutes with a load such as an air conditioner or a small space heater.

Bounce sheets will only give rodents something to shred up and make a cozy bed out of. Mice are survival experts and constantly evaluate their surroundings to learn what is and isn't a threat. Even if there's a smell they don't like, they'll get used to it, and it will just become another background smell. Same with ultrasonic pest "chasers." Rodents are a problem in all kinds of industrial areas full of awful smells, loud noises, and bright lights.

Make sure there's no gap round the power cord. Do a very careful inspection under the rig and seal up ANY holes your find, no matter how small. Even with nothing stored in the rig, it will still smell like food. Just like any other smell, cooking odors get into fabrics. Sealing holes is as much about blocking smells as it is to block entry.

Place several rodent bait stations under the rig, and traps or sticky boards in out of the way areas inside the rig where mice can hide. Have your person do an inspection with a bright light to check for activity on every visit, and reload the traps if needed. One suggestion is place the traps on carboard or thin plywood in case a mouse is caught and decomposes before being found. If mouse activity is found inside it means only one thing - there's a hole and another search is required.

[Winemaker2]

Agree that idle is better than short start / run.
Why run an MT fridge for 5 mos? Empty, leave open and turn it off.
Being dry air you are in an excellent location to just leave it.
Dehumidifier, diesel biocide not a bad idea.
Most important item is to keep house and chassis battys maintained.
Maint charge and check water if FLA.
Other than that mice and ants are likely your worst enemys

[Arch Hoagland]

Fill the toilet with water.

I have two toilets that are now 14 years old and have never had a problem with the seals leaking because I make sure there is always water in the toilet so the seals never dry out.

My interior temperature will hit 115 during the summer here in Central California while being stored.