Winter Storage

orchid_57 · 09-06-2010, 06:57 AM

I'm wondering if any of you could share some suggestions for keeping the trailer fresh and bug free when closing it up over the winter. In the past, I've used fabric softener sheets everywhere and our old trailer always smelled like new when we opened it up in the Spring.

Our dealer advised against the fabric softener sheets and they say that the smell of the sheets could attract mice. They suggested that we use moth balls in bags to deter mice but didn't offer a way to keep the trailer smelling good rather than "that closed up smell".

Since we are not storing it on our property this year, we won't be there to periodically check on the "mice" situation.

Thanks.

Edited by: orchid_57

**Lloyd** · 09-06-2010, 07:51 AM

I say stick with the dryer sheets. I use store classic cars. The owner

had dryer sheets all over the engine and inside the cars. There was

never any rodent problems. Moth balls are for moths.

LGMI_Camping · 09-06-2010, 09:07 AM

I agree with Old Farmer. For the last 5 years we have been using dryer sheets and no mice. Every year prior, we always had mice.

I am sticking with them.

orchid_57 · 09-06-2010, 09:24 AM

Sounds good to me

. We did have a couple of mice last year despite the sheets but that was the first time and with a different trailer. We caught them easily with a mousetrap....I think they would have come in no matter what we used....

mwebber78 · 09-06-2010, 09:45 AM

Do not use moth balls unless you want your trailer to smell like your grandmothers house. Peppermint extract is the newest rage of natural mouse detterent that many swear by. Of course I have found that my trailer is better off now that I sealed all openings with expansion foam and in some areas steel wool.

orchid_57 · 09-06-2010, 11:10 AM

Steel wool? Where would you use that? I know with our last trailer a good use for that would have been where the electrical cord came out but with the 30 SKP that isn't an issue.

mwebber78 · 09-06-2010, 11:49 AM

Open some dead panels along plumbing and heating runs and you'll quickly find numerous places that need to be plugged. Not a dig at Crossroads but it kind of is given some sloppy and oversized openings hidden from view that run to the underbelly.

salda01 · 09-07-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchid_57

They suggested that we use moth balls in bags to deter mice but didn't offer a way to keep the trailer smelling good rather than "that closed up smell".

It sure would take a lot of moths to get enough moth balls to deter mice from a whole trailer. How does one remove the balls from a moth?

I couldn't resist.

Chrisnan23 · 09-07-2010, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salda01

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchid_57

They suggested that we use moth balls in bags to deter mice but didn't offer a way to keep the trailer smelling good rather than "that closed up smell".

It sure would take a lot of moths to get enough moth balls to deter mice from a whole trailer. How does one remove the balls from a moth?

I couldn't resist.

Very gently and carefully...

That' just not right Dave, just not right...Edited by: Chrisnan23

orchid_57 · 09-07-2010, 01:12 PM

Now that was clever and very funny

But just to set the record straight.....After reading everyone's posts, you'll be happy to know that here will be no moth balls (itty bitty or not) in my trailer. It's back to fabric softener sheets for this lady

lynlou14760 · 09-08-2010, 02:22 AM

We don't use anything, and have never had a problem with "trailer smells." We clean the trailer thoroughly from stem-to stern, inside and out, everytime we camp. (We generally spend a couple of hours doing so as we fold up for the trip home.) Weather permitting, we open the door, all windows and vents, and run the fans for several hours in the driveway.

We haven't been able to camp lately because I'm going through cancer treatments so, a couple of times a week we air the trailer out. This has worked well so far, well enough so that we always get top price for used units.

we-canoe · 09-08-2010, 11:45 AM

We've always stored our trailers in a metal shed with cement floor.I leave some windows cracked open and the roof vents just slightly open,no smell and no mice(knock on wood).

Tuscany · 09-18-2010, 02:26 AM

You can always use drier sheets. I'm not sure what that sales rep was thinking..... Wehave to store our trailer outsideall year round. We alsowent around all the inside exposed PVC pipes leading in from outside & sprayed them foam insulater around the holes plugging them up.Okay I know some of you are thinking the mice can chew through that, Yes they can but haven't, it's two years so far & no mice poop. so I'm happy & still using drier strips too!!!!

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