Winterizing stored RV

[Bonieta Joyce]

As in my profile we are new to rving, we live in FL and purchased a used 2003Jayco Eagle and left it parked in a Mobile Home Park in northern KY. Husband winterized it with directions he read on the internet. Now, since we are home to FL, we have a question about the Roof Vents. He installed the MaxAir vent covers on the vents before we left and read that when storing the TT that you should leave the vents open just a little bit for air circulation. Now, I'm reading on www.rvdoctor.com that when winterizing, especially where there is snow, you should make sure all roof vents are tightly closed!!! Should we get the Sister-in-Law to go close them down tightly???? Any comments will maybe save us some problems.

[Jagiven]

Everyone I know with leaves them cracked open.

[dmax_83]

I leave mine closed, but when camping I have left them open in some pretty intense rain and haven't had any water come into the camper, even when driving.

[tls001]

Ours stay open all the time except when i am washing the roof..no water has ever gotten in.

[FPM III]

With MaxxAir covers, I leave the vents fully open- winter, summer, rain, shine, in motion, parked. I only close the vents when running A/C or heat (although, sometimes I open them with the heat on to help remove excess moisture). Snow/ice is about the only thing that can be a problem if it dams up on the roof and doesn't permit the melted water to drain off. After heavy snow, I go on the roof and push off the snow to prevent that from occurring.

[Rustic Eagle]

I have had blowing/swirling snow get into the TT even with the vent open just a crack (w/MaxxAir's), I could feel the moisture coming in with my hand.

I now leave them closed during the Michigan winters (when in storage), and keep some DampRid in the TT.

http://www.homedepot.com/DampRid/h_d...storeId=10051#

Bob

[usmc616]

I have left mine open since I had them installed. We had a lot of snow last winter and used the TT several times for overnight guests and did not notice any snow that may of gotten blown into the TT. I plan on leaving them open this winter also.

[clubhouse]

I leave mine closed. Where I am in CA snow/rain isn't a concern but we get really wet fog that can allow moisture in the TT. If you have a SIL close, I'd probably have her close them, why take the chance.

[tlhdoc]

I have always left the vent slightly open, but Sunday when I left I did close the vent all the way. With Sandy on the way I did not want to take a chance of water being blown in through the vent. I have not had snow blow in.

[Bonieta Joyce]

Thanks for all the replies. Called the Sister in Law to go close the vents. Better safe than sorry...

[RyanRving]

I'm in Upstate NY. Winter is a fact of life. This will be the first winter our RV will be stored outside, although it will be covered. Should I crack the vents a bit? I also have the Maxx covers. I have foam cushions that I put in the vents when I have stored it previously. I tend to worry more about some small animal chewing through the screening and getting inside. So far I have not had a problem with mildew or smell while it was in storage.

[scalemaster]

I have Max Air vents and leave mine open all winter. My theory is to keep the inside and outside temps the same, this should keep condensation from forming. No problems so far.