cleaned out. Leave the refrigerator and cupboard doors ajar to let air circulate so things don’ t get moldy.
The stove will need a good cleaning as well. Don’ t forget to clean underneath it. Lots of crumbs and food scraps tend to fall down there during the course of a season. If you have an oven or a microwave, they’ ll need cleaning as well.
It is said that if you place a couple of scented dryer sheets on each bed, couch, and dinette seat you’ ll minimize the chance for mice making a home over the winter inside your trailer. Pop-ups are prone to trapping moisture and condensation buildup, if stored outdoors. You may want to consider a desiccant product to keep the interior dry over the winter. Finally, mop the floor, and close it up.
Exterior
Now is the perfect time to give the rig a good once over after a good wash and check for any issues that should be addressed before final storage. Check all exterior caulking and seams for cracks or separation for the side walls. Spend some time on a ladder and take a close look at roof vent sealants and the center seam of the roof( if you have one). If you suspect you might have a roof seam issue there are products available to the do-it-yourselfer( Eternabond comes to mind, www. eternabond. com) to repair the seam. You can also purchase quick repair kits from big box stores and RV dealers. If you are not comfortable tackling the job yourself then see your local RV dealer for repair. Don’ t delay this until spring!
When popping down that last time in the late fall, take special care dropping the top. Check the bunk ends for any heavy sap or gunk prior to tucking them inside the unit. Take your time and really get the tenting tucked in the way you like. If you tend to store air mattresses or foam toppers on your bed you may want to consider removing them prior to winter storage. The idea here is to ensure a good seal around the entire roof and the top of the camper box. There is less chance for moisture infiltration from snow and rain..
Treat the entire exterior to a good wash and rinse with an RV or automotive wash and wax product, turn off the propane tanks, and cover your air conditioner. Cover all exterior vents for the furnace, water heater, and refrigerator with plastic or tin foil, to minimize access for critters and accumulation of dirt. And speaking of critters, ensure that any holes or gaps where they might get into the trailer are plugged. Get under the camper and search carefully for holes. Any holes can be stuffed with brass wool, similar to steel wool, but it won’ t rust.
And finally, remove the battery from the tongue; clean the dirt, brush off the terminals with a wire brush, charge it up, and store it indoors. Smearing Vaseline TM on the battery terminals will prevent corrosion. It’ s a good idea to check the battery’ s level of charge every month during the winter, and charge as necessary.
Even though campers are made to be outside year round, a bit of extra protection never hurts. Some use covers to keep the elements at bay, but be sure to check your owner’ s manual or contact your manufacturer to see if a cover
Here is a selection of websites that can provide additional information: is recommend. Others erect temporary shelters, commonly available at big-box hardware stores, and a few fortunate people store their campers in garages and barns. Regardless, a cheap cover solution for the tongue jack could be an old plastic container and a bungee cord.
Don’ t forget about your tires. It’ s important to cover your tires to keep the sun and weather from rotting them. A pair of tire covers costs about $ 40 or less online. In fact, they are useful all year round. Check your tire manufacturers’ website for recommendations on inflation pressure while storing your trailer. If your camper has tires rated to 50 PSI maximum inflation pressure then your manufacturer may recommend 125 % of 50 PSI, which would be 62.5 PSI. It’ s best to check your tire manufacturer’ s website for the type of parking surface, but generally you want a surface that is level, dry and well drained. Most people prefer cement, wooden boards, or gravel.
And lastly, tilt the trailer to allow water runoff, give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done, and start to plan for another great camping season.
Got a question about service, repairs and just general maintenance? Send your questions to Doctor Pop-up, c / o PopUp Times, 301 W 12th St, The Dalles, OR 97058 or E-mail him at doctorpopup @ popuptimes. com
www. paushe. com / 2002colemansunvalley( click on the winterizing link at the top of the page) www. paushe. com / winterizing www. title-3. com / Winterize. htm www. tentandtrek. com / 2006 / 10 / 06 / winterizing-pop-up-trailer-and-rv-how-to-winterize-your-trailer thehappyredneck. com / winterizing-your-pop-up-camper www. ehow. com / how _ 4881291 _ winterize-pop-up-camper. html nccamper. tripod. com / id46. htm
| Autumn 2009
25