Ready for winter (I hope)

[Bob]

I put the camper in the Shasta Shed, raised it up on blocks, let the air out of the tires and put the tire covers on. I've blown the water line out and put some antifreeze in the P-trap. All the food is out of it and it's been cleaned up inside. I'll check for mouse openings this weekend. Is there anything else that you do to get your camper ready for winter?

[offspringin]

You did much more than i planned to. Do you really have to drain the p-trap? i assumed since it was an open line (drain) that water would just expand up and out if it was to freeze. I had planned to drain the sink line and leave the faucet open just in case. If i get my shed built soon i may do the same as you with the up on blocks deal. no reason to leave it sitting on the tires. You have me curious now what others do in the winter now.....

[Kristi Foster]

We removed all of the canned food as well as any boxed items.Remove any paper products that could be potential nesting material for mice. We took all of the clothes out of the closets and sheets and towels out of the cabinets, that could be sources for mildew. Unfortunately we also removed our hot water tank!! So for now we are trying to keep critters from coming inside. I have heard mice will even eat soap, so take that out too. We are still working on our winterizing, but McKinney was our last outing for this year.

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[LittleVintageTrailer]

We have the Compact stored. By the way hubby is 6'3" to give you an idea of the height of the carport. This pic was taken as he was enclosing the back and front part way down. So it wasn't finished in this pic.

I took my cushions, all clothes, pillows, etc., out. Anything I thought might attract critters. Then put Bounce dryer sheets all over inside and moth balls outside.

Curious why you deflate the tires? Does that help them over the winter? We've never done that so wondering what the benefit is?

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[Bob]

I deflated the tires because they aren’t carrying any weight. Here’s what I’ve found on storing tires. If your tires are loaded/supporting the trailer – increase air pressure up to the maximum. If your tires are off/unloaded decrease the air pressure to 10 -15 psi.
www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/tp-tp2823-systems-426.htm
Tires should be stored upright in a clean indoor location, free from exposure to sunlight or strong artificial light, heat, ozone (electrical motors) and hydrocarbons. If tires are stored on their rims, the tire pressure should be reduced to approximately 103 kPa (15 psi) to avoid possible cracking and deformation.
www.campingworld.com/tips/rv-tire-care/45
thomas-alan-gray.suite101.com/how-to-store-rv-and-auto-tires-a130122
It looks like I have some more cleaning up to do. I didn’t think about the fuzzy pillows and stuff as mouse house material.

[vikx]

You've done what I do, Potomac. The traps often split from ice on these old trailers; I always "pink" 'em.

One other thing I do, is take all cleaners and liquids out of the trailer so that the bottles don't crack and leak after freezing. Nothing like a bunch of soda pop cans gooed all over...ugh.

[offspringin]

so you guys got me worried about my trap freezing. picked up some antifreeze today, we have only had one night that got down to 31 so far, doubt it was cold enough in the camper to freeze that night. We might do one more trip this year, going to keep an eye on the weather and pour some in if it says its going to be cold out.

Planning to build a shed/awning for it this winter too. Have the metal roofing already, just going to build a wood structure under it, simple design but keep leaves/rain/snow (the massive blizzards we get in ga) etc off the roof

What is the best thing to have the tires parked on? I was thinking wood planks? Or is concrete better? LIkely be dirt floor but would put pads where the tires will go.

[Bob]

I park the wheels on 2x8 pressure treated pads when I'm going to be moving it every so often. Since it's stored for winter, the wheels are off the ground. I think that gravel would be good to keep water away from the rubber, then concrete, lastly asphalt. And keep the sun off of them.