Storage

[mitch]

Does anybody else put their camper up on blocks for the winter?  I do based on the thinking that it's good for my tires, axle and wheel bearings, am I fooling myself and completely wasting my time?

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Mitch,

I'm thinking your effort is an exercise in exercise. The effects on the axle and wheels are really minimal and the tires will be OK if they're on pavement. My storage area is in the woods so I have some concrete pavers set under the wheels. Yes, the tires may develop flat spots, but they quickly round out and you're not in the trailer to feel them. You're more likely to suffer sun degradation and crud buildup on the roof. That might argue for a cover, but then you have moisture and mold to deal with. Have you considered an air conditioned and heated barn?  :-/    With full hookups?  
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[daplumbr]

The first winter I carefully (new baby thing) put ours up on jack stands, primarily to keep the tires from developing sidewall cracks at the bulge where they rest on the concrete (which happened to the tires on our snowmobile trailer).  This winter, other than a good coat of wax and 303, the camper is fending for itself sitting on its suspension. I think the snowmobile trailer tires just got too old. So, yup, blocking it up is probably exercise for exercise sake and my jack stands will be in our next garage sale. 

[pinstriper]

I have been given to understand that trailer tires almost invariably end their life due to age and sun, not miles or normal weight. There are probably a precious few that get enough miles to worry about tread life, and if cracks are happening it is sun rot rather than weight. In fact taking the weight off may make the cracks appear to go away, but the weakness is still there. Pretty much replace your tires at 4-7 years, depending on their condition.

[mitch]

Well then I'll save my self the exercise! Thanks for the input.

[pjcd]

The tires on my previous trailer lasted about five years before they started showing signs of rot. I had it parked on a 10 x 20 pad in the back yard. BTW I did all the labor on the pad and all it cost me was some 2x6s and $500 worth of concrete.

[mrt]

[div][font size="3" face="comic sans ms"]I wish I had read this post before I did this last weekend!  More than the tires, I thought this would be better for my bearings.  I have to say this was a bit nerve racking as there is a slope to my driveway and the jacking was not easy. With the slope (slight) and the way the suspension is, one wheel is clear and the other has a bit of pressure on it.  Its up in the air for now but I will remember this for next year.

Charlie, in your post you mentioned a cover and then having to deal with mold and mildew.  I did buy a cover for my unit to keep the leaves and needles off as well as hoping that it would keep it looking good.  I ventured into my unit the other day to find the DriZAir container almost full and the fan covers showing a lot of condensation. The one over the bed was dripping and left quite a large wet spot on the duvet cover (now in the house).  We live on the Wet Coast and go through a lot of freeze/thaw cycles but mostly rain and wind.  I know the covers are not meant to be water proof but I was surprised how much moisture collected underneath it.  With the wind it does dry out quite fast.  I did read in another thread about how the windows can be locked in an open position.  I have done this as well as opening the vents a crack to let the air flow through.  I guess the relative humidity changes are the cause of my problem and hopefully this will solve it.  If not, has anyone considered a dehumidifier and if so what unit did you buy?  I was hoping to find one that has a drain hose and could be hooked up to drain to the ground. 

Cheers
Mike

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[jerrybeaird]

Hi Mike,

I have the Frigidaire 50 pint model Fad504dwd in my 21RBS and in my garage where my mustang is stored.  Both are run 24x7.  I place the one in the RV right in front of the bathroom with the drain hose connected with a 90* elbow into the shower drain (cover removed).

I have had to replace the one in my garage about evey four years or so as they are not built like they used to be.  I have had many brands but they all last about the same.

I hope this helps.

[mrt]

Thanks for the info. Do you recall how much you paid?
Cheers

[pinstriper]

We do have a dehumidifier  and check it about every other week and empty it.

Got it from sears about 10 years ago.

[jerrybeaird]

I paid around $175 out the door at Best Buy.  They did a price match online for me.  It might have been matched to walmart or amazon, I don't remember.

[pjcd]

I've never used a dehumidifier, but, I only cover the trailer in the winter, ( maybe, three months). The rest of the time its au naturel. I leave the windows open a bit to keep the air moving.