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SUMMERIZING checklist
Yahoo Message Number: 137400
In about two weeks, I will have to "summerize" My LD for six months of storage in Casa Grande, Arizona, during the time I will be back in Alaska. I have some ideas about what I should do to protect my motor home from the sun and heat, but have many questions. Please share your ideas and experience with me!
 Some have said I should pay extra to have it stored under cover, others say it should be in the sun so my solar panels can keep the batteries charged. But might it be better to disconnect them anyway? What about things drying out, or damage from mice or insects? Precautions are probably necessary to treat the weather-stripping and gaskets, but how? Drain the water and holding tanks? Propane and gas tanks full or empty? Vents shut or cracked open?

Ideas?

Thanks much, Kristin
1997 MB
Re: SUMMERIZING checklist
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 137403
Our fifth wheel sat in the Arizona sun for two summers, so I can tell you what *we* did.
 First, if you can find covered storage, then I recommend it, even though it will cost more.  We didn't have that option since our rig was sitting on an RV lot.
 We have AGM batteries, so we didn't need to worry about the cells going dry over the summer.  We switched our HPV-22B over to "shore power" and left the batteries connected.  If you have batteries that require filling each cell with distilled water, I would definitely recommend disconnecting them, otherwise, they'll go dry over the summer.
 Here's our list of things we did to prepare our rig for summer storage:

1.  Pump tires to maximum on sidewalls (we also put four stack jacks  underneath the frame to hold the rig up if the tires were to use pressure).
2.  Cover tires and air conditioner.
3.  Clean out and shut off refrigerator...leave doors open.
4.  Turn off propane.
5.  Clean inside of rig.  Use a wood oil on all wood surfaces.
6.  Cover all drains with quart freezer bags filled partially with water (to  keep water from evaporating from the P-traps).
7.  Fill toilet with water and put several layers of saran wrap over the  bowl.
8.  Clean out all holding tanks, putting a few gallons of water in each.
9.  Drain fresh water tank and water heater.
 10. Lock all windows and doors.
11. Leave vent over bed open (we installed a cover so that we could do this...it helps dissipate the heat inside the rig).
12. Put insulation in all windows (this may not be necessary with the Lazy Daze given the dark tint they put on the windows, but definitely close all blinds).
13. Remove all food stuffs from the rig.
14. Remove batteries from anything that will stay in the rig.
15. Leave several opened gallon jugs of water throughout the rig (to provide needed moisture...the hot dry air is tough on wood).
 In your case, I would also have the rig serviced before storage.  Fill the fuel tank with gas and add a fuel stabilizer to it while at the gas station so that it has a chance to work its way through the system while driving to the storage yard.

Linda Hylton http://earl-linda.blogspot.com
Linda Hylton
Re: SUMMERIZING checklist
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 137405
We have an SOB we live in during the winter and store summers in Arizona and use our LD to travel. We follow many of the recommendations made here by Linda. She has made a complete and thoughtful list. This will be the third summer we have stored in the Arizona heat. We are able to have our trailer washed 4 times a year and waxed twice in addition. It is a 2007 and still looks new.
James 2011 TK
Re: SUMMERIZING checklist
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 137406
The only thing I would add is fill the fuel tank with ethanol free fuel which can be purchased at most farm supply stores if no service stations in your area sell it. Your LD will love you for it. J. Sacks
 
Quote
  > To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com From:
 Date: Sat, 16 Mar 2013 15:11:52 +0000
 Subject: [LD] SUMMERIZING checklist

In about two weeks, I will have to "summerize" My LD for six months of storage in Casa Grande, Arizona, during the time I will be back in Alaska. I have some ideas about what I should do to protect my motor home from the sun and heat, but have many questions. Please share your ideas and experience with me!
 Some have said I should pay extra to have it stored under cover, others say it should be in the sun so my solar panels can keep the batteries charged. But might it be better to disconnect them anyway? What about things drying out, or damage from mice or insects? Precautions are probably necessary to treat the weather-stripping and gaskets, but how? Drain the water and holding tanks? Propane and gas tanks full or empty? Vents shut or cracked open?

Ideas? Thanks much, Kristin

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: SUMMERIZING checklist
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 137407
This is an excellent suggestion and something we did, too.  We paid to have someone come out to wash and wax our rig, using a UV protectant on it.
Other than the front which is a bit faded, everything else remains nice and shiny.

Linda Hylton http://earl-linda.blogspot.com
Linda Hylton
Re: SUMMERIZING checklist
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 137411
I do have 303 spray and fuel stabilizer, and thanks everyone so much! I had some of this on my checklists, but not all.
 My toilet doesn't hold water very long, but nothing ever smells. How important is that? I like the zip locks with water
1997 MB
Re: SUMMERIZING checklist
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 137412
You will want to get the seals replaced before you leave it in storage! Otherwise, the water will drain out and the hot dry Arizona air will dry out the seals, turning them into crispy critters.  Then it REALLY won't hold water at all!

Linda Hylton http://earl-linda.blogspot.com
Linda Hylton
Re: SUMMERIZING checklist
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 137413
Another thought.  You might try smearing a generous portion of vaseline, Bag Balm, or something similar on the seals, and cover the bowl with saran wrap as described.  The worse case scenario would be that you would need to have the seals replaced, anyway, once you returned to the rig.  But, if it were *me,* I'd want to get the seals replaced before putting it in storage.

Linda Hylton http://earl-linda.blogspot.com
Linda Hylton
Re: SUMMERIZING checklist
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 137417
--- "Linda & Earl Hylton"  wrote:

Quote
Fill the fuel tank with gas and add a fuel stabilizer to it while at the gas station so that it has a chance to work its way through the system while driving to the storage yard.
I would also add that you should run the generator after you add the fuel stabilizer to get it in there too.

Nancy McKenna currently in Casa Grande, AZ
Re: SUMMERIZING checklist
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 137424
Quote
  From: Kristin

My toilet doesn't hold water very long, but nothing ever smells. How important is that?
Don't know the age of your rig but our 2012 had the same problem. When I replaced the seal I found the original had been installed upside down. The ball may also not be completely closing. You can check this by using your finger to rotate the ball towards the aft end of the bowl to determine if it is at the stop. Best to do this after you have cleaned the bowel :-) Sometimes a weak spring or binding (interference) somewhere in the mechanism will prevent the ball from completely cycling.
John '12 FD
Re: SUMMERIZING checklist
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 137429
Thanks, John, It does seem to rotate all the way back... Are there instructions somewhere on how to replace the seal? --k
1997 MB
Re: SUMMERIZING checklist
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 137439
Well, there is hope. I figured out that if I pull UP very firmly on the flush handle, the water will actually stay in, after all. I have rubbed vaseline around on the seal, as far as I can contact it, so now will see if it works better. I had tried letting the handle slam up, as someone had written last year, but that didn't do the trick. I think that instead of overuse in this rig, these appliances have hardly been used at all during its fifteen years of life (only 33k miles on it).
Thanks, everyone!

Kristin
1997 MB
 
Re: SUMMERIZING checklist
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 137453
Quote
Thanks, John, It does seem to rotate all the way back... Are there instructions somewhere on how to replace the seal? --k
When you purchase the seal kit (around $35) instructions are included. The seal position on the base of the toilet has an index notch. The thicker of the 2 seals has a stamp on one side "this side up". This orients the seal lip chamfer that the ball rides under as it seals the bowel. Be sure to lubricate the seals before installation with silicone spray.
John '12FD