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Dear Mark,
Would it be advisable to put jack stands under the 5th wheel frame to keep the tires off the ground and to keep the pressure off the bearings? Also, would that put undo hardship on the suspension parts? HELP!!!!
Thank you, Alan
Mark says…
When storing your trailer for the winter, it really isn't necessary to put it up on jacks. The tires won't be bothered by sitting in one spot for a few months, and the bearings definitely don't care. The only time it would make sense to do this is for a really long storage period, like a year or more. Just make sure that the tires are fully inflated when you park it, and consider using some treated 2X10s under the wheels if you will be parking on dirt. If you are parking in a place where direct sunlight will be hitting the tires, cover the wheels to help prevent UV damage.
Dear Mark,
This is our first RV and here (Louisville KY) we are coming into winter. Everything I read about "winterization" is for storage. We Intend to continue our trips all winter long, about 1 a month…(5 days to 14 days each time).
We're interested in driving from near freezing to the warmer climates. Do we add a TYPE of antifreeze to all water containers including of course, the radiator? What is our answer?
Thank you in advance.
Mark says…
We covered this in the previous column… In brief, it's not the time spent traveling that will get you; it's the time the RV sits between trips. It depends on how cold it gets in your area as well. You will need to decide either to keep the RV heated enough to prevent it from freezing between trips, or to winterize the plumbing to protect it. If you winterize with antifreeze, then you'll either have to leave it winterized and live with bottled water on your trips, or de–winterize it each time before you head out.
Critical Information: ONLY anti–freeze specifically designed for RV/Potable water system use should be used in the RV's plumbing systems. Never, never use automotive antifreeze or other home–brew concoctions.
Dear Mark,
We just closed up our RV for the winter and we had never thought about covering the unit. Actually, we were told that is was not a good idea to cover an RV. Although I don't remember why but just recently upon visiting other campgrounds, we happened to notice that over 50% of the stored units were covered with tarps. Should we have used a tarp?
Mark says…
You can certainly use an RV cover when storing your rig. Just be sure to get a good quality cover that can be secured to the rig and make sure it is constructed of breathable materials. A plain plastic tarp may do more harm than good if it allows moisture to build up underneath it! If you use a tarp, you must use wood spacers to lift the tarp off of the roof and sides to provide for some air flow under the tarp. This ventilation is needed to keep condensation or moisture from forming between the tarp and your RV. It is also necessary to provide some ventilation for the inside of the rig. Usually, a roof vent open a crack, and a window at the other end of the rig slightly opened will be adequate.
Dear Mark,
Living in Canada I use my fifth wheel for RVing and living in at work during the summer months. I store it during winter months and am constantly concerned about rodents getting in. What is your recommendation for keeping rodents out at all times?
Jim Tremmel
Mark says…
The best way to prevent a rodent infestation is to mechanically exclude them. That means plugging every potential access hole or gap in your RV's exterior with expanding foam or steel wool, or similar materials. It can be a formidable task, but unfortunately, most other methods are less than 100% effective. Repellents may or may not work, and a lot of typically suggested repellents (dryer sheets, moth balls, etc) seem to work better for some folks than others. Poison can be effective, but only if placed inside the rig, and all sources of water inside are removed. These poisons dehydrate the mice, causing them to seek water outside the rig. This is supposed to prevent them from dying inside your RV. The key word here is "supposed". If you decide that poison is appropriate, go to a local feed or agricultural supply store, rather than the supermarket to buy it. The industrial grade stuff is cheaper and more effective.
Dear Mark,
We bought a new Raptor 3712TS in December and have had it out a few times which leads me to ask a couple questions about slides:
- When storing the 5er should the slides be in or out? We have a covered storage area for the rig and like to use it as a spare bedroom when our kids visit, and my wife and I occasionally like to go out and work in the rig (prepping for trips, etc.), so I wondered if we could just leave the sliders out rather than running them in and out frequently? I've seen a lot of varied opinions on the forum so thought I'd ask the experts.
- How often should the slide gear and seals be lubricated? I have lube for the slide gear that the dealer gave me (looks like aerosol white grease), and
some pump–spray silicon conditioner they recommended for the seals, but I've forgotten what they told me about frequency (gets to the above question about running the slides in and out frequently).
Thanks for your response – I always enjoy reading your column and I'm an avid follower of the Woodall's Forum (sig: RCFLyer). I've learned a TON by asking questions and reading about issues others raise, so I have found the whole RVnet/Woodalls experience to be a positive one. Keep up the good work!
Bob Barnett
Mark says…
It really won't hurt the slides either way, but there's no doubt that the slides form a much better mechanical seal to the RV body/chassis when retracted. For that reason alone, I would store the rig with the slides in. They won't mind being "exercised" from time to time when you need your guest room.
It's a good rule of thumb to lubricate the slide–out seals at least once a year with a spray lubricant/protectant designed for this use. Once in the spring and once in the fall will probably be more than often enough.
Before you lubricate any of the slide mechanisms, you need to check the rig's owner's manual. Some slides are designed to operate without lubrication, and adding grease where it's not needed can actually be detrimental, as it will attract dirt and road debris. If your slide does require lube, apply it once a year, and sparingly, only to the moving parts that are supposed to get it. This is one of those cases where "less is more". Also, use one of the dry lubes that are designed for slide–outs to minimize the greasy mess.
A reader writes:
Mark,
Your winterizing article was informative, Thanks. I would like to add one item I learned "the hard way". I used compressed air to blow out the water in all the lines, and thought I was set. In the spring, I had a broken valve in the toilet. Some toilet valves are inverted with a pocket of water in the bottom of the valve. This water can freeze, cracking the valve body, and requiring its replacement. Now, after using compressed air to blow out all the water possible, I use the RV's pump to pump RV antifreeze throughout the system, displacing the water in the toilet valve until it runs pink. This method also uses much less of the RV antifreeze.
Michael
Do you have a question for Mark?
Please submit your question via e–mail to woodalls@escapees.com. Questions should be about RV technical issues, general RV operation or RV lifestyle. Please remember, material will be edited. Because of the large volume of material and correspondence submitted, individual replies will not be possible, nor can we acknowledge receipt of your material. Selected questions will be answered in future issues of the Diamond Club newsletter in the Mark, My Words column. The Mark, My Words column also appears in Escapees magazine, a bi–monthly publication of the Escapees RV Club. For more information visit www.escapees.com/magazine
 Mark Nemeth has been involved with all things RV for more than ten years, including almost 5 years on the road as a fulltimer. Nowadays, Mark is parked for a while and works on staff for the Escapees RV club as technical advisor, consumer affairs director, and instructor in the Escapees RVer's Boot Camp program.
Founded in 1978, the Escapees RV Club provides a total support network for Rvers that includes a wide variety of opportunities for fun, adventure, and education. CHAPTERS There are 51 chapters across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico that offer local luncheons and rallies within 150 miles of home. Everyone is welcome to attend. HOPs Theme–related outings and adventures held across the country. ESCAPADES Five–day events, Escapades offer over 60 seminars and workshops to educate, entertain, and enhance the fun and use of RVs. PARKS Our RV park system offers short–term, long–term, and home–base parking options. MAIL SERVICE The best mail–forwarding service in the country. Members can personalize their mail delivery receiving only the mail they want when they want. PLUS MUCH MORE! A complete listing of all Escapees events, and a comprehensive list of member benefits is found at www.escapees.com.
 Some content previously printed in Escapees magazine, published by the Escapees RV Club. All material provided by Mark Nemeth, Escapees Magazine Technical Advisor and Boot Camp Instructor. For more information about the Escapees RV Club, please visit www.escapees.com or call 888–757–2582.
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