rondeb
Pacific Northwest
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Joined: 05/06/2005
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We have always had a TT and actually still do, however, we purchased a couple weeks ago a small class C to go for short trips and be able to take our fishing boat.
A question? We remove the batteries from the TT for Winter, but in a Class C, should they be left in. Or should the Trailer one be taken out and put on a trickle charge when needed and just leave the chassis battery to be able to start it during the winter. Should the generator be started during the winter? We can go below freezing in the winter.
Just need to know, what differences there might be between winterizing a TT and an RV. Thanks for any advise.
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PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
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Joined: 12/23/2007
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Personally, I'd question where is the "C" going to be kept? If it's close to your house (with an extension cord available), you might as well leave the batteries in place, with a trickle charger. Why strain your back moving them?
I'd recommend, and many others on here do as well, that you you start the genset at least once/month, and run it for 15-30 minutes with a load. A space heater works well. It also give you a chance to warm the place up, and walk around and check things out (look for leaks, etc).
I would think that most of the other systems (excluding the engine and drive system) will be very similar to the TT. With the "C", you may want to move it around from time to time, to work the wheels (keep the tires from sitting in one spot for too long)....and run the engine. We like to take a trip down to Walmart....it's a little drive, and there is plenty of room to park, while we go shopping. Also get a chance to run the furnace, genset, and charge the 12VDC system all at one time.
Have fun.
DH Bill / DW Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris
The Paps! Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie and Annie 
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April Fools Day, 2008 
The Pets
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rondeb
Pacific Northwest
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Joined: 05/06/2005
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PapPappy wrote:Personally, I'd question where is the "C" going to be kept? If it's close to your house (with an extension cord available), you might as well leave the batteries in place, with a trickle charger. Why strain your back moving them?
I'd recommend, and many others on here do as well, that you you start the genset at least once/month, and run it for 15-30 minutes with a load. A space heater works well. It also give you a chance to warm the place up, and walk around and check things out (look for leaks, etc).
I would think that most of the other systems (excluding the engine and drive system) will be very similar to the TT. With the "C", you may want to move it around from time to time, to work the wheels (keep the tires from sitting in one spot for too long)....and run the engine. We like to take a trip down to Walmart....it's a little drive, and there is plenty of room to park, while we go shopping. Also get a chance to run the furnace, genset, and charge the 12VDC system all at one time.
Have fun.
Thanks for the info, but once it starts snowing here, we will not be able to move the RV. It will be behind 2 to 4 feet of snow. We will be able to get to it, but not move it. It will be covered. If anyone has advice that lives in a similar climate would be helpful.
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alaskan-rver
Anchorage, AK
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Joined: 09/25/2005
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Here's how I do mine up here in Alaska.
- Winterize the plumbing, just like you did with the trailer. Being a new unit for you, make extra sure that you've emptied all the water out (remove the water heater drain plug, just to be sure)
- Fill up the gas tank (less air space means less moisture that can contaminate the fuel).
- Put fuel stabilizer in the fuel tank.
- If you have a generator, run it for a few minutes to be sure that stabilized fuel has made it into the generator's carburetor.
- Put it away with the batteries fully charged.
- If you have more than one house battery, and they are easily accessible, disconnect one or more of the positive cables.
- You can cancel the collision and liability insurance (but keep comprehensive) while it's in storage (for us, this savings comes close to covering the storage cost).
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rondeb
Pacific Northwest
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alaskan-rver wrote:Here's how I do mine up here in Alaska.
- Winterize the plumbing, just like you did with the trailer. Being a new unit for you, make extra sure that you've emptied all the water out (remove the water heater drain plug, just to be sure)
- Fill up the gas tank (less air space means less moisture that can contaminate the fuel).
- Put fuel stabilizer in the fuel tank.
- If you have a generator, run it for a few minutes to be sure that stabilized fuel has made it into the generator's carburetor.
- Put it away with the batteries fully charged.
- If you have more than one house battery, and they are easily accessible, disconnect one or more of the positive cables.
- You can cancel the collision and liability insurance (but keep comprehensive) while it's in storage (for us, this savings comes close to covering the storage cost).
Thanks for the advice. It is stored on our property, so no storage issues. We have done everything you listed except dealing with the batteries and insurance. Good idea. No need to pay for collision or liability. Do your batteries stay charged all winter, or do you go out and run the genset, the truck and other items. We can have the RV plugged in all winter. We keep our TT plugged in because we like to check the condensation containers and do a quick check around during the winter.
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joanne0012
Boston, MA
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Joined: 02/01/2005
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Are you sure that you can't arrange storage that would enable you to take it on occasional little outings over the winter as PapPappy suggested?
Everything from the tires to the transmission would appreciate a little exercise. It really is fun to take the RV out for instance when doing your Christmas shopping at the mall, so you can go back to the rig, have a cup of tea and put your feet up for while before rejoining the fray. Or even just when running a bunch of errands, so you don't have to plan on doing the groceries last, you can just stash them in the fridge. There a lot you can do even when the water system has been witnterized.
Joanne
1994 Lazy Daze 23.5' TK
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tenbear
Northern Vermont, USA
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Joined: 08/11/2004
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I have a snow problem here in Vermont. I do the same as Alaskan-rver except I leave my batteries in place and connect a trickle charger to the chassis battery and use the battery disconnect switch to disconnect the house battery for 2-3, maybe 4, weeks then connect it for a couple of days and repeat this cycle until spring. Yes, the MH is plugged in all winter. I also run the generator about once a month with a load. Never had any problems.
2004/5 Four Winds Dutchman Express 28A, Chevy chassis
Subaru Impreza Outback
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Roadfrog
Chilliwack, BC Canada
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Joined: 04/27/2001
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Quote:once it starts snowing here, we will not be able to move the RV. It will be behind 2 to 4 feet of snow
What part of the PNW do you live in with that much snow?!  I live in Southern BC and while it CAN freeze, we don't get much, if any snow. As was suggested, I'll remove my collision, liability, etc and keep the comprehensive. I'll remove the batteries and store them in my garage with an ocassional trickle charge. I'll winterize the plumbing, set out a couple of Dri-Z-Air containers, pour a bit of fuel stabilizer in the tank, change the motor oil (coach and genny) and trans fluid and that's about it. I like removing the batteries becasue it allows me to clean and lubricate the posts, top up the electrolyte and generally clean and tidy up the battery compartment.
ENJOY!
Cheers
Chris
1999 Winnebago Itasca Spirit 29N
1988 Campion Allante 195
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Dakzuki
Carnation, Wa, USA
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Joined: 11/01/2002
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Definitely use a battery maintainer like Batterymider or Battery Tender to keep the batteries healthy.
95 Chinook Premier
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rondeb
Pacific Northwest
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Roadfrog wrote:Quote:once it starts snowing here, we will not be able to move the RV. It will be behind 2 to 4 feet of snow
What part of the PNW do you live in with that much snow?! !
We have an acre lot with a long skinny drive to the back. The snow gets plowed to the back area. Both the TT and the new Class C will be behind the snow plow line. Once we have to plow a few times, the RV's will not be able to come out until Spring.
Both are under a storage garage, so we have access to them all winter.
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