Winter prep.

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Winter prep.

Postby Kens » Sun Oct 01, 2006 12:00 am

What do I do to get the tear ready for winter. I know I will have to empty everything but should I lift it of the ground? It will be in a barn with no heat. Leave a window open? Cover? All ideas are welcome. I need to sleep on this see you in the morning..zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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Postby HumbleHut » Sun Oct 01, 2006 12:18 am

Hey,
Winterizing is pretty easy, 2 steps,
1) attach the tear to your tow vehicle,
2) drive on down to arizona - winterizing!?!

Actually, as long as you clear all of the water out of he lines, and keep it in the barn, you should be fine. If you're parking on a dirt floor, I might recommend parking on plywood plates to protect your tires from dry rot.
Just my thought.
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Postby madjack » Sun Oct 01, 2006 12:23 am

I dunno...down here we cover the AC and just keep on campin'.....if you are going to leave it inna barn, either open vents/windows or get a can of dessicant to put inside the cabin and in the galley.......
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Postby Nitetimes » Sun Oct 01, 2006 12:26 am

Cover it with something if it's in a barn. Pidgeons, other birds and bats can do nasty things to it. 8) 8) 8)
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Postby nubwon » Sun Oct 01, 2006 8:25 am

down here its 4 easy steps (with an optional 5th step) to getting a trailer winter ready. Hook trailer to tow vehicle, drive to campground, unhook trailer, set up camp. Optional step - you may, or may not need the A/C.
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Postby Classic Finn » Sun Oct 01, 2006 11:06 am

Since we live Far North over here in Reindeerland... And the tear will be sitting in a Portable garage this winter...

Is it good to open the windows or Hatch a lil or should I seal up the tear tight?

I did by the moisture remover. or whatever its called in English... Anything else needed? I also have a small heater in there.. set on a thermostat...

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Postby WarPony » Sun Oct 01, 2006 11:39 am

If it were me, I'd jack it up off of the ground and leave it sealed up tight with a cover over it. If it is in a barn I would be worried about mice getting in.
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Postby Kens » Sun Oct 01, 2006 1:28 pm

Thanks for the help I think I will jack it up and cover.Still dont know if I will leave open or seal up. Then again I didnt think about mice? :thinking:
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Postby Juneaudave » Sun Oct 01, 2006 2:25 pm

I don't know if I would jack it off the ground unless I could do it easy. I would..

...drain any water lines and pour a litle pink antifreeze down the sink trap, if you have one

....pull out the bed, bedding, curtains.. etc if you have damp conditions

...crack open the cooler and put a plate of charcoal or baking soda in it

...fully charge the battery, or leave it on a tender

...clean out any food, junk from the pantry..remove batteries from flashlights, radios, etc.

...if you have a generator, fill the tank and put some stabilizer in the gas

...if you are of the "tarpology" persuasion, wash the tear, and wax painted surfaces to minimize rubbing of the tarp against the surface.

...in our wet environment, some people in Juneau leave a heatlamp on in the cabin of their boats along with something like a pan of Dry-Z-Air. I always just tried to minimize the damage that would occur and planned to scrape off the mold each year.
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Postby b.bodemer » Sun Oct 01, 2006 2:52 pm

Sounds just like kakayaing.........when the weather and water temps start dropping looks for warmer temps down south.

Makes me think I'll get more use over the winter than I thought.
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Postby sdtripper2 » Sun Oct 01, 2006 3:07 pm

Hi, Kens & All:

Winterizing seems most viable where there is inclement cold weather.
As seen above the references to warmer climates and the keep on running,
during the winter months in the South. Some would have you take the
weight off the tires and that sure makes good sense in cold climates. If
you have a water tank in your rig that should be drained for sure if freezing is an issue.

Now for the rest of the story:

Critters and musty smells will take their toll if not addressed in a two prong
attack. That is deal with the critters in multiple ways and keep the moisture
at bay so musty smells can't take hold in your Teardrop trailer.

Why not have a multiprong pro-active peace of mind attack on the vermin?

After a winter and coming out to your stored rig and finding evidence of
squatters and their unclean bathroom habits let alone their eating and
frustration habits won't bring a smile to your face, I would presume?
Be pro- active and put some kind of food that is tainted outside your rig to
coax them to stay outside your pride and joy. This has the benefits of you
spotting activity so you can keep on top of your would be move inn's. I
have suggested a few solutions to that end here.

Now for moisture that can happen in the best of environments. Keep on top
of this situation as the whole purpose of a teardrop is to sleep and eat out
of it, and musty smells makes for an unpleasant let alone possible
unhealthy environment for you and your loved ones.

Image

1) Decon or other poison: ... so you will see if there is any critter
action going on, and be able to step uP your vigil. Better to feed them
something than not and they come looking for your teardrop to chew into.

2) Sonic aggravation:
Image
Sonic attack for rodents

3) More info on fending off vermin:
I just learned of this:
Chocolate milk powder mixed with Plaster of Paris
This tip was passed along to us by a woman who lived in a Catskill
Farmhouse for years, and even though we were suburb dwellers, it turned
out to be the only thing that helped get rid of our mice. Take plaster of
Paris (dry) and mix it with chocolate milk powder and set it so the mice can
eat it. It will be a dry powder. The good idea about this mixture is that the
mice will leave the house to find water after they eat it so they will not die
in the house. It is also basically non-toxic, having no poison in it. It worked
for us, and we had quite a few mice that we could not get rid of other
ways. I guess mice love chocolate too.

4) Critter - Repellent
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Home page of Critter - Repellent
Testimonials on protection RVs and cars here
***

Now for keeping your Teardrop dry and keep the musty smell at bay:

Two examples below:
1) Gun safe dehumidifier:
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2) Dehumidifier Crystals
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Postby mikeschn » Sun Oct 01, 2006 5:23 pm

Steve,

So the only two items I have to be concerned about is vermin and musty smells?

In years past I have taken my mattress out and stored it upstairs in the house. Never had a problem with vermin.

When I had my T@B it did have a problem with water freezing in the lines before I realized it was winter and had to pour in anti-freeze.

So winterizing for me, at least in years past has consisted of,

1) taking all electronics inside. that includes power supplies, tv, etc

2) taking all bedding and blankets inside, including mattress

We typically store the teardrop in the carport, so covering it was not an issue. If we would store it outside for the winter we would probably look into a custom fitted cover, made out of sunbrella.

And for what it's worth, even in the carport, the mill finished aluminum aged considerably.

Mike...
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Postby sdtripper2 » Sun Oct 01, 2006 5:56 pm

Mike: :)

Mike wrote:So the only two items I have to be concerned about is vermin and musty smells?
So winterizing for me, at least in years past has consisted of,

1) taking all electronics inside. that includes power supplies, tv, etc

2) taking all bedding and blankets inside, including mattress

We typically store the teardrop in the carport, so covering it was not an issue. If we would store it outside for the winter we would probably look into a custom fitted cover, made out of sunbrella.

And for what it's worth, even in the carport, the mill finished aluminum aged considerably.

Mike...


Your list seems more thorough. I did mention water draining. I didn't think
to take the matresses inside or the electronics. Guess cause I use the
dehumidifier and don't keep electronics in my rig and I am in a warmer
area.
For sure Mike your points are well taken.

I got hung uP on Kens statement just as I wrote:
Kens wrote:Thanks for the help I think I will jack it up and cover. Still don't know if I will leave open or seal up. Then again I didn't think about mice?


As you can see one link led to another and I got into the two issues of mice and dampness.
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Postby Classic Finn » Sun Oct 01, 2006 6:18 pm

Mike I just noticed your reply to this thread.. and as reading I noticed the company Sunbrella that you mention..

I did a search and I found the same brand material here.. Is there a specific one you recommend or type..

I called the company up and they are willing to send us the material and we can make it ourselves as they explained it can be done with a normal sewing machine.. So then we can make any kind we desire...

The wife will draw a template to make and cut the pattern on.. So we,ll have our own design and a whole lot cheaper than someone making it for us..

Also the same company sells the vinyl or padded material to make us some fender guards and front shield or bra for the tear..

So I guess winter will be a time to make all the Side Tent Extras and Guards..

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Postby mikeschn » Sun Oct 01, 2006 6:26 pm

Heikki,

No specific recomendations here, cause I've never needed a cover.

But if you do a search, you'll find that sunbrella is highly recommended.

You know, I'll bet there's lots of people who would buy sunbrella covers from you.

Hmmm, your wife would have to give up the fancy jewelery business though...

:shock:

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