Preparation for Storage

[LK23]

When preparing your Coach for 4 to 5 month Storage in non-freezing weather how do you prepare the following:

Water Filters - Do you remove the carbon filter? If so, how do you store the filter for re-ise?

Grey Water Tank - Do you keep water in the tank while in storage? If so, what chemicals or detergents do you add to the water?

Black Water Tank - After flushing, do you add some water to the tank while in storage?

[153stars]

Owners will store filters in zip lock in house fridge. You'll likely want to sanitize fresh tank and or water system anyway, then flush and replace filters. A little water in gray tank is good idea if just to keep gate valve seals wetted. Black tank enough to keep bottom wet. Water in toilet with lid down and water in all drain traps . Fridge cracked open for ventilation .
Will batteries be charging or charged and fully disconnected ? Does coach have working charge to chassis batt from house charger. Batteries is what I would be more worried about in 4-5mo storage.

[LK23]

What chemicals or detergents should I put in the Grey and Black tanks while in storage?

[palehorse89]

Originally Posted by LK23

What chemicals or detergents should I put in the Grey and Black tanks while in storage?

Just water............

Will you be plugged in to shore power?

[LK23]

Yes, plugged into 30 amp power.

The reason I ask about chemicals or detergents - I recently recovered our coach from 4 month storage. I had left about 20 gallons of water in the gray tank and it had a terrible odor after dumping the water.

[DRM901]

I put the same holding tank chemical we normally use in both tanks, plus enough water where I know it won't evaporate away. Same with the toilet. Don't want that seal to dry out. If you have P-traps, you will want to keep water in those as well so the stink can't escape.

https://www.amazon.com/Oxy-Kem-Holdi...5194289&sr=8-1

I drain the water tank, but I don't take the filter out. Probably should do so, since I have to take it out later anyways when I resanitize the task before we use it again.

[Domo]

We use Simple Green in the holding tanks and never buy the specialist chemicals. When returning from our last night on the road and prior to storage we dump the tanks, add 10 gallons of water, Simple Green and a squirt of Dawn and then drive the last way home. Driving sloshes the SG and D around, then we dump at home, add ~2-5 gallons and another 1/2 cup of Simple Green for the holding tanks.

Fresh water systems are sanitized, then we add 10 gallons, or more, so we're ready to go and/or have water handy if we visit for maintenance. Our drinking water is always out of a Berkey Go! system.


In "P" traps we'll add a teaspoon of cooking oil so it sits on the top of the water in the trap and retards evaporation so the tanks odor stays out of the rig (don't forget the washer discharge hose if you have one onboard).

[Camp CA]

Black and gray water tanks are flushed and emptied prior to storage.....never any odor even after storing for several years. For the black tank, consider storing it full tank of water with Unique's Store-It (same company that make Digest-It), to keep it clean and mitigate odors.

[Sinyyl]

Here is what I did before:
1. Drain fresh water from tank and lines
2. Dump grey and black tank, flush, then add back a few gallons in each tank and add some chemical
I don't have water filter, but I would drain them and remive the filter, then put the filter housing back in.

[1972VWbus]

1. Clean and wax RV (interior as well).


2. Drain water tank (fresh)


3. Drain Black and gray tank.


4. Add appropriate amount of STA-BIL to fuel tank then top off tank.


5. Turn on generator after fuel fill up with 50 percent load. Drive to storage.


6. Park, throw beach towel over fresh water lines/pump in basement.


7. Wrap towel around toilet regulator valve (backside)


8. Shutdown generator (20 min run).


9. Disconnect RV batteries.


10. Done.

[PanJH]

Originally Posted by LK23

Yes, plugged into 30 amp power.

The reason I ask about chemicals or detergents - I recently recovered our coach from 4 month storage. I had left about 20 gallons of water in the gray tank and it had a terrible odor after dumping the water.

I put Happy Camper https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Campers.../dp/B005XEFADU or Zaal Noflex https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VB2AOUM...roduct_details in the black and grey tanks when it goes into storage. Neutralizes odors and cleans the tanks. It's the only time I use chemicals in the tanks

[twojayhawks]

Mine sits for 4-5 months every winter & I put nothing in black or grey tank. Don't bother leaving water in the toilet bowl it will evaporate. Better just to drain them. When you return it's the perfect time to turtle wax them. I leave fresh water empty as well. Open low point & drain lines as well. I remove water filter & toss & replace with new every spring. Don't disconnect batteries, 30 amp is more than enough to keep chassis/house topped. Most importantly do add a biocide to your fuel tank (full fuel). Best to do it before last fill up but it that's too late add it anyway. I probably went 20 years not adding a biocide when storing & my luck ran out a few years ago. Trust me you don't want that unless you enjoy changing fuel filters on the side of the interstate.

[NXR]

At home I put water in the toilet bowls and place Saran Wrap across them. The last three years we've been gone almost 5 months and still had about half the water in the bowl when we returned. Previously they would be dry.

Your sink traps also will evaporate so I'd close those drains to help keep any smell infiltration down. Put something over the shower drain as well.

I'd be careful of tank chemicals because no one knows their long-term effect. I'd bet most chemical manufacturers assume the chemicals will be well-diluted and in the tank for less than a month before they are renewed.

I'd consider whether to fully drain the water system and at least blow it out with compressed air. Algae and microbes have a way of growing in standing water in dark, hot places. I would still pour water into the toilet bowls and cover them with Saran Wrap. That area is easy to check visually.

You did not mention the water heater(s) or similar so that standing water should also be considered.


You did not mention tires or whether "storage" means at your home or somewhere else. The pic is from Michelin's RV Tire manual and note #5 especially, inflate the tires to the sidewall pressure.

At home, before we leave for the winter I bring our TPMS monitor inside the home and leave it turned on. That way I can monitor the tire pressure remotely and continuously.

"Jacks up or jacks down" usually is asked as well. Me, I'd run the jacks down and lift the coach a few inches to take some of the weight off the tires to try to minimize flat spots.

Ray

[Cat320]

Originally Posted by twojayhawks

....Most importantly do add a biocide to your fuel tank (full fuel).

Agree, if a diesel.