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Post Info TOPIC: Long-term storage ..... how to prevent mold ???


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Long-term storage ..... how to prevent mold ???


We have our camper in the back yard covered with a normal RV cover..... we will be away from Jacksonville, Florida for about 7 months, through the summertime. 6 containers of Damp-Rid turned into solid chunks with an inch of liquid water on top of each in just one month inside the camper. ..... two in the shower, three in the kitchen sink, one in the bathroom sink ..... I drained off the water and returned them to their spots, but now all 6 are solid chunks of product ..... no longer the small white granules.

I have no faith that they will continue to work ..... and perhaps more importantly, I won’t be here all summer to periodically empty out the containers and keep an eye on things. My thoughts go to baking soda in large containers, and uncovering the camper and leaving the AC running all summer ......

 any ideas/comments… ? ...... Bob



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Sharon Hall


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Indoor storage?

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I think your best bet might be a dehumidifier sitting on the kitchen counter with the hose running into your sink. Leave the grey tank open so it can drip into the yard and have a neighbor check on it once a week to make sure it's still running and the breaker hasn't tripped. Best of luck.

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You can also ran a fan (like a floor fan) inside to keep air circulating. You shouldn't be getting that much moisture inside if there are not any leaks anywhere.

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Friends store their RV in the Myrtle Beach, SC area for 6 months (May-Oct). They close all vents, place numerous 4 lb tubs of DampRid Hi-Capacity Moisture Absorber in the RV (https://www.walmart.com/ip/DampRid-Hi-Capacity-Moisture-Absorber-Fragrance-Free-4-Lb/16627481) and have not had any problems. Temperatures and humidity levels are likely higher in your area -- but if you are leaving vents open (i.e., allow moisture to enter) or not using the large 4 lb Damprid tubs, you may want to retry your test with those modifications.

Lynn



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Well, the thing is on wheels. So, you might think about taking a trip out to New Mexico or Arizona, and then leaving it in a good storage facility out there.

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Sean wrote:

I think your best bet might be a dehumidifier sitting on the kitchen counter with the hose running into your sink. Leave the grey tank open so it can drip into the yard and have a neighbor check on it once a week to make sure it's still running and the breaker hasn't tripped. Best of luck.


Twice that.
But I would try to find covered storage, as Melody suggested. I've stored mine at storage lots. Other than security, it is a good way to go. Of course, you can be broken in anywhere. My current lot has an onsite manager. It's been good. I haven't had a significant price increase at the 4 different lots I've used over the years. I changed lots for reasons other than anything related to the particular lot. Lots near each other can have dramatically different prices. It pays to shop around.



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Not trying to be a smart alek but mold and Florida go together like milk and cookies. I think that your best bet would be climate controlled inside storage, but it's going to be expensive. My next choice would be a dehumidifier draining to the outside. If you choose to leave your gray tank open I'd cover the opening with some 1/8" stainless steel hardware cloth to keep critters out, there's lots of them in Florida. I'm not a big fan of Damp-rid as I too have filled up the hanging bags quickly in a basement. Whatever you do have someone check the coach periodically because mold could ruin it. Good luck.

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Proper air circulation is the key. You can also run a dehumidifier with all the windows closed.

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Zircon123 wrote:

We have our camper in the back yard covered with a normal RV cover..... we will be away from Jacksonville, Florida for about 7 months, through the summertime. 6 containers of Damp-Rid turned into solid chunks with an inch of liquid water on top of each in just one month inside the camper. ..... two in the shower, three in the kitchen sink, one in the bathroom sink ..... I drained off the water and returned them to their spots, but now all 6 are solid chunks of product ..... no longer the small white granules.

I have no faith that they will continue to work ..... and perhaps more importantly, I won’t be here all summer to periodically empty out the containers and keep an eye on things. My thoughts go to baking soda in large containers, and uncovering the camper and leaving the AC running all summer ......

 any ideas/comments… ? ...... Bob


 Bob:

Here's my 2 cents:  As it will be in the back yard I'd leave the AC set to about 85-88 degrees.  That will do a lot to keep the rig free of mold and likewise protect the wood work and other things like the electronics from heat and expansion.  I do note you were going to put a cover over it.  Frankly, I wouldn't and never have.  That just traps the moisture inside.  A cover can also damage the roof from rubbing against the roof material on the edges.

We've "always" kept the AC on in our rig in the summer at home base and the furnace in the winter. Yes, it costs a few dollars.  But a LOT less then having things repaired and seeing a cabinet or a door panel split or the like.  In fact, by keeping the heat on at a relatively low setting I've not winterized a trailer in years nor have I had "freezing" damage to pipe or wood from contraction. But to the point, keep the AC on.  Same benefits sands the freezing.

The AC won't run that much and it will dehumidify the rig among other positive benefits.   Honestly 85 is a pretty good compromise number.

That's what we've done "for decades."

FWIW

Bill



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