If you take your RV somewhere for Winter Storage...

[Bob Denman]

Do you empty absolutely everything out of it?
Do you only take out the expensive stuff?
Do you leave it in "Ready to roll" condition?

The Missus and I are debating this question finally. and this year: we are going to strip out the expensive stuff that we'd hate to lose.
EMS
Blackstone Propane Griddle
Freshwater hose
holding tank drain fittings, and the short link for reaching into the dump bay
A couple of chairs
An adjustable step
electric cables
tools


Sheets, Blankets, Clothing, flatware and silverware, towels, washcloths, toilet paper, Blackwater tank chemicals... These will all stay put

What do you do?

[gmc]

When I did... we took out only perishables - things that couldn’t freeze.. Everything else was ‘ready to roll’.
Storage was 10 min from home,so was reasonably accessible.

[CampFire Junkies]

Empty out refrigerator and any other perishables. Took bedding out to clean and I do remove the portable satellite and receiver... we have secured cave storage, so grill, EMS, etc... stay with the Motorhome.

[pstandiford]

We take out food, all small batteries, and any item we are concerned about freezing. Everything else stays.

[dkoldman]

Do you trust the storage switch when set to storage mode, or do you really need the disconnect switch in addition to storage mode ? I assume you have nothing new connected to battery that the way it was wired brand new from Manufacturer.

I asked a Motorhome Service center about installing a disconnect switch and they basically thought I was crazy for asking. I am but I was surprised they figured it out so quickly :-)

They say they can do but charge $159/hour plus parts so it would cost me
around $400

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

Do you trust the storage switch when set to storage mode, or do you really need the disconnect switch in addition to storage mode ? I assume you have nothing new connected to battery that the way it was wired brand new from Manufacturer.

I asked a Motorhome Service center about installing a disconnect switch and they basically thought I was crazy for asking. I am but I was surprised they figured it out so quickly :-)

They say they can do but charge $159/hour plus parts so it would cost me
around $400

Well you're not crazy for asking as "storage mode" will drain your house battery in a few weeks (or sooner). So install that battery disconnect IF the RV will be stored where the batteries won't freeze. If it gets cold enough to freeze the batteries - remove them.

And don't pay CW to install the disconnect - it's easy enough even Bob has installed two of them.

[Bob Denman]

And if I can do it: anybody can!

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1569102459

[Lt Keefer]

If I was going to put my coach in storage I would only take out the food. I figure insurance would cover everything else.

[Bob Denman]

Don't forget your Deductible... The small stuff would never make it to that threshold, and you'd still need to go track it all down...

[gmc]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Well you're not crazy for asking as "storage mode" will drain your house battery in a few weeks (or sooner). So install that battery disconnect IF the RV will be stored where the batteries won't freeze. If it gets cold enough to freeze the batteries - remove them.



And don't pay CW to install the disconnect - it's easy enough even Bob has installed two of them.

The key is know YOUR rig...
Both of mine, the coach disconnect has been complete... Batteries easily last a month plus with switch in Store. Others find a drain still from (in my opinion) a miswired coach and need to add a disconnect at the battery.
Very simple to do if needed.

A charged battery won’t freeze. A dead one will.
I never removed the batteries (when I was in Michigan)... Did check on the rig every month or so and ran genny for a bit which was enough to keep things topped off.
Nothing wrong with removing them if you wish... just never felt it was worth the effort.

[dkoldman]

Could not find the disconnect in your picture online, but IU was thinking something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Disconnect-Ve...54685735&psc=1

Maybe it is overkill, but I have a dual disconnect switch like this on my boat. My wife is not scared tp touched it LOL It came from factory wired in next to the batteries. I don't know if my boat has a drain, and will never know because I always shut it down when I leave the boat.

[Bob Denman]

I think that I ordered that one online from NAPA
Here's a better picture with a part number on it.

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1569105809

[Bob Denman]

I went to dual disconnects on my Wayfarer. I couldn't kill the parasitic losses with just one of them.
I don't even know why!

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1569105947

[blw2]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

Could not find the disconnect in your picture online, but IU was thinking something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Disconnect-Ve...54685735&psc=1

Maybe it is overkill, but I have a dual disconnect switch like this on my boat. My wife is not scared tp touched it LOL It came from factory wired in next to the batteries. I don't know if my boat has a drain, and will never know because I always shut it down when I leave the boat.

I prefer something like that personally. I just don't care for all that exposed conductor with the knife switches.

After replacing too many batteries in my old campers and boats, now teh first thing I did to this RV (and any future toy with a lead acid battery) is to install switches on all batteries.

I went with this one at teh time I bought this RV...
https://www.gamainc.com/product/bs200/
actually two of them...one chassis and one house.
made in usa...and I think they sell on amazon too.

any time parking for storage...even over night if not plugged in and not running fridge, I'll disconnect the relay with the use/store..then disconnect the batteries

[Beau388]

I highly recommend you try a winter trip to Grand Father Mountain Campground, NC rather than unload everything. Beach Mountain and Sugar Mountain ski areas are close. It seldom gets much below 20 degrees and a white Christmas in your RV is an adventure to remember. We were first there for the "Gathering of the Clans", and were welcomed in to the Clan of Davie. It is such a beautiful spot, we decided to try 10 days over Christmas. A tank of propane last about 5 days but the campground has plenty more. If we 80+ year old folks can do, it so can you. I had forgotten how much fun you can have shoveling 4" of snow with 12 other coaches and maybe the good wine is what I remember most.

[pstandiford]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

Do you trust the storage switch when set to storage mode, or do you really need the disconnect switch in addition to storage mode ? I assume you have nothing new connected to battery that the way it was wired brand new from Manufacturer.

I asked a Motorhome Service center about installing a disconnect switch and they basically thought I was crazy for asking. I am but I was surprised they figured it out so quickly :-)

They say they can do but charge $159/hour plus parts so it would cost me
around $400

We start our MH and generator every two weeks and take it for a drive about once a month. Keeps the batteries charged and splashes the oil around.

[vkb]

Like everyone else...we remove food/perishables .. and sheets/towels etc to launder and have fresh for first trip. Also, we remove batteries from remotes, etc. Put them in a tray.
In prevous years we have stored the Axis in enclosed building..retired farmer put his out buildings to good use.
When we are ready to bring it out for the new season...he puts it on the battery charge and we are good to roll.

[Phil Saran]

We live near Denver Colorado and it does get down below freezing here. My 5th wheel
is stored outside so I remove all food, bedding is pulled for washing.

Extra batteries, flashlights etc. are taken out.

I remove the batteries and store in my garage on a trickle charger.

In the summer while in storage between trips I just disconnect the
batteries in the rig.