I have two choices for winter storage for my 2015 Camplite 13QBB. I live in Canada
1) Store in a heated warehouse 20 minutes away from my home for 480$ + tax for 6 months that is monitored 24/7
2) Store on a family owned property outdoor storage that is 3 hour away drive from me (no cost but will probably cost like 100$ in gas roundtrip to drop and 100$ to go get it back so 200$) plus I will probably have to buy covers, etc. and will have to rely on them to look at it (not sure if they will be willing to remove snow from roof and things like that)
What would you do?
My vote is for the heated warehouse
I agree. I would pay more than that per month here for outside storage.
a third option would be to store it in my backyard at home (can't store it in my driveway during the winter due to local regulation) but I don't have a big land but it would fit. That would cost me no gas like the option #1 and I could have an eye on it, remove snow etc. If I do that would you recommand a cover on it?
Now that I added that option would you choose option #1,2 or 3?
[font size="3"]Paul,
My two cents worth: best for the camper, most convenient for periodic visits, and most expensive is the heated warehouse 20 minutes away. No winterizing (although still a good idea in case of utility failure) and no weather exposure. However, if you decide to store it outside you should consider a cover. I've never lived in Canada, but I did spend 20 wonderful years in Colorado so I know winter. A snow cover on the camper leads to constant water pooling and repetitive thawing/freezing. This can damage roof seals just like it damages roadways, buildings, and mountains. The solution would be to cover the camper with a shed type roof or a non-permeable plastic or rubber cover. If you use a sheet of plastic or rubber you have to block it off the camper so air can circulate. I'd be afraid of the standard canvas covers due to the thaw/leak/freeze cycling. The warehouse might pay in the long run.
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Do not store batteries on cement floor.
[quote source="/post/4015/thread" timestamp="1412214376" author="@shovelhead"]Do not store batteries on cement floor.[/quote]What? Why not? Unless you're using a 40 year old battery I think you'll be alright:
http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/battery.asp
[quote source="/post/4021/thread" timestamp="1412221492" author="@tinkeringtechie"][quote source="/post/4015/thread" timestamp="1412214376" author="@shovelhead"]Do not store batteries on cement floor.[/quote]What? Why not? Unless you're using a 40 year old battery I think you'll be alright:
http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/battery.asp[/quote]I've left brand new batteries on two occasions. Motorcycle (Harley OEM) Both failed to maintain a charge after the storage..... I know what Snopes says .... Just sayin ::)
Can I leave my battery in my outside storage shed? Someone told me on another forum that if you storage that inside there is some toxic fume? I don't know if true
Quote from: @paul" source="/post/4023/thread" timestamp="1412247210Can I leave my battery in my outside storage shed? Someone told me on another forum that if you storage that inside there is some toxic fume? I don't know if true
[font size="3"]No problem, Paul. Just make sure, over the winter, that the battery maintains it's charge. You might need to put a charger on it once or twice throughout the winter. Storing a discharged battery will degrade it. As for fumes, the battery may give of hydrogen during charging. In a tightly closed area this might be an explosion hazard, not a toxicity problem. As long as there is some ventilation in your shed while you're charging you'll have no problem. A for storing on concrete, the only issue is if there is some spilled acid on the case, or you spill acid when checking charge with a hydrometer, it may discolor the floor. Otherwise, no problem.
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[quote source="/post/4022/thread" timestamp="1412242415" author="@shovelhead"][quote source="/post/4021/thread" timestamp="1412221492" author="@tinkeringtechie"]What? Why not? Unless you're using a 40 year old battery I think you'll be alright:
http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/battery.asp[/quote]I've left brand new batteries on two occasions. Motorcycle (Harley OEM) Both failed to maintain a charge after the storage..... I know what Snopes says .... Just sayin ::)[/quote]It's probably because you left them for too long. Lead acid batteries self discharge fairly rapidly. Sometimes all it takes is a few months and you've got a dead battery. The battery should be hooked up to a trickle charger to maintain it during storage.