Winter Storing question

[eagledreams]

We bought our Jayco 321RSTS last fall from a dealer in northern Wisconsin, and will be taking it back there later this fall for winterization, warranty work and storage. I am not sure what the dealer does as part of the winter prep (I still need to talk with him but thought I would start with a more reliable source), but wondering if should we remove the propane tanks and batteries when we drop it off. The camper will be stored in an open field next to the dealers sales lot. Many people store their units there each winter. However, it is not enclosed or fenced, and anyone could go through and steal the propane tanks - we have 2 40lb tanks that I would not want to replace ( one tank is full and one is partial). Also, I am concerned about the batteries depleting in the cold over winter.

I am thinking I will pull the tanks and batteries when we drop the unit of and bring them home. What do you do when you store your units? I appreciate any feedback people can provide.

[Jagiven]

Propane tanks. I have a bicycle cable going through the handles and is locked to a frame member. Lock could be cut. But it is easier for them to walk over to the next rig.

Battery. By law you need it on board and connected to the brake system during transport. I always remove my battery each winter. But a fully charged fully disconnected battery, will not freeze, and should only have minimal discharge over the winter. I would say its your choice. If you leave it on board, disconnect the leads, and mark them what is + and -. Not all disconnect switches on 5vers 100% disconnect the power. Some times some controllers are still powered up.

[THE MEEKER]

Well if you're worried about theft of those items, take them home. I would.

[JFlightRisk]

When I winterize, I use the pump to get antifreeze through the lines. That insures there's no water in it to freeze, so the battery is the last thing I remove. If the dealer will use their own battery, you can remove it when you get there.

Take out anything that can freeze, or can be used as a critter nest.

Be sure your gray and black tanks are all empty. I'm pretty sure that's not on their list to winterize.

We keep comprehensive insurance on ours all year, and our carrier requires it to be on our property to be covered. Might be a good idea to check with yours, if you keep comp on it for the winter too. Just a random thought.

[eagledreams]

Thank you for your responses. Very helpful and much appreciated.

Enjoy the fall camping season!

[North of 49°]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

When I winterize, I use the pump to get antifreeze through the lines. That insures there's no water in it to freeze, so the battery is the last thing I remove. If the dealer will use their own battery, you can remove it when you get there.

Take out anything that can freeze, or can be used as a critter nest.

Be sure your gray and black tanks are all empty. I'm pretty sure that's not on their list to winterize.

We keep comprehensive insurance on ours all year, and our carrier requires it to be on our property to be covered. Might be a good idea to check with yours, if you keep comp on it for the winter too. Just a random thought.

I do exactly the same. Winters here are harsh, and extended periods of -30* temperatures are not unheard of. When I winterize I blow out the lines with compressed air, pump antifreeze through them, then blow them out again. It takes a bit longer, but it's a belt-and-suspenders approach. Clean anything out of the trailer that rodents would find interesting. Disconnect the propane cylinders, but leave them on the trailer.

As for the battery, I store the trailer in a nearby vehicle storage lot. It's a lot cheaper than the local RV dealers, and its a fenced compound with access by appointment only. So I leave the battery in place while I'm transporting the trailer there, then I remove it and bring it home with me. When I pick up the trailer in the spring, I bring the battery with me and re-install it when I'm hooking up in the storage yard.

I carry the same insurance on the trailer year-round. Changing it twice a year isn't worth the hassle to save a few bucks.

[scrollmaster]

I guess living in the deep south I don't have the severe freezing so we camp year round on occasional weekends. My 5th wheel stays at home in its shed plugged into power. The very few times in winter when we have freezing I run the central heat at low setting and provide heat in bay area around water pipes. Has worked well so far over 15 years and 3 different 5th wheels.

[RedHorse1]

Since the dealer does the winterization I’d request some kind of warranty covering freeze damage to plumbing. Here close to the Texas gulf coast winterizing is not always necessary tho I wind up doing it most winters. I take the battery home. Like Jag, I have a steel cable lock for the propane tanks.