Summer Storage

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I've seen a ton of discussions about winterizing and winter storage but nothing about how people keep their pods during the season between trips.

I've got a 178 which we bought in July of last year.  For the first few months it was parked on our lawn under a tree.  The tree offered shade almost 100% of the time.  It did however start to show a little green (mold/mildew) on the exterior.  Also the tree dropped sticks on the trailer and of course in a storm could drop larger branches.

Also, what's the opinion on the slide?  In, out or only out when being occupied?

One more; does anyone keep the cover on outside of the winter?

So I realize there's trade offs.  If I park the pod in the driveway it will be out of the reach and shade of any trees with sun almost always.  

Thoughts?  Suggestions?

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Don Halas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 01 Jul 2015 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 190	Topic: Summer Storage Posted: 28 Feb 2016 at 7:59am
	I've seen a ton of discussions about winterizing and winter storage but nothing about how people keep their pods during the season between trips. I've got a 178 which we bought in July of last year. For the first few months it was parked on our lawn under a tree. The tree offered shade almost 100% of the time. It did however start to show a little green (mold/mildew) on the exterior. Also the tree dropped sticks on the trailer and of course in a storm could drop larger branches. Also, what's the opinion on the slide? In, out or only out when being occupied? One more; does anyone keep the cover on outside of the winter? So I realize there's trade offs. If I park the pod in the driveway it will be out of the reach and shade of any trees with sun almost always. Thoughts? Suggestions?

hogone Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Apr 2013 Location: High Ridge, MO Online Status: Offline Posts: 1060	Posted: 28 Feb 2016 at 8:13am
	my pod sits in my driveway, so quite a bit of sun(I haven't noticed much if any bleaching). there is a tree that hangs over a little bit, so the roof does pick up a little tree trash with some staining; most comes off when i wash it; I leave the slide in when not in use as it lessens the breaches for critters/bugs to get in. if i go hang out in it, i put the slide out. hogone
	Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2023 F150 2017 HD Streetglide CHEESEHEAD

johnmaci Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 Jun 2014 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 202	Posted: 28 Feb 2016 at 9:05am
	On that same train of thought, I keep mine in a storage lot that receives direct sunlight and there may be a couple of months in between use it is sitting (I still work full time). Any suggestions on whether or not the fresh water tank be emptied and sanitized after each trip? How long would it take for mold/mildew to form in the tank? We don't use it for drinking, only washing and occasional shower in primitive lots. I read somewhere online that adding one teaspoon of bleach for every 10gl of water then dump that water and add fresh before your trip.

hogone Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 09 Apr 2013 Location: High Ridge, MO Online Status: Offline Posts: 1060	Posted: 28 Feb 2016 at 9:27am
	i sanitize my tank/lines once a year (when i de-winterize). my water tank is empty when not in use. curious to see others thoughts/methods. i do use mine for everything including drinking(i do use a filter which probably does little). hogone
	Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2023 F150 2017 HD Streetglide CHEESEHEAD

Don Halas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 01 Jul 2015 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 190	Posted: 28 Feb 2016 at 9:45am
	I'm no expert with the trailer but do have some experience with food safety sanitation and maintaining my swimming pool for 25 years. 1 cap full of bleach (note: cap NOT cup) to one gallon of water is considered good enough for sanitizing food prep items. I'd think that perhaps a little bit more bleach than Johns ratio of 1 teaspoon to 10 gallons. I'd also try to run as much of the sanitizing solution through the camper lines as possible, most importantly the sinks. Let the solution sit in the lines for a few hours or over night if possible. Then a flush of the system with fresh water would probably be a good idea (not necessary for toilet or anywhere the water won't be consumed). This wouldn't require as much fluid for flushing but only enough to get the sanitizing solution through the lines. I dont' think I'd do this on every trip, but depending upon circumstances as a weekend before prep.

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 28 Feb 2016 at 3:28pm
	Generally you do it in the spring, then you are good for the season. If you camp once a month there is no need to empty the tank. More than that and it is a good idea when it is hot out.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Online Posts: 3346	Posted: 28 Feb 2016 at 6:57pm
	We are fortunate in that when we aren't using our pod we can park it in our horse barn, out of the sun. My concern is you are under trees is the sap that drips on it day after day. We have had some pretty nasty sap run on ours during camping so if are given a choice we camp with no trees overhead. We use well water, once it is in our tank come April, we just keep on filling it up during summer and don't drain out until we are done in mid-October. Last time we used bleach in our tank was April 2012. I am no expert on this but it would seem if you use city water there are already a host of chemicals added (some ok, others questionable) so it should be ok to leave in the tank. We keep our slide in when not in use. Better seal for keeping bees, wasps, hornets, snakes out (they like the slide area underneath) and don't forget to cover your tires so they don't get "sunburned" really, the tires will last longer if not exposed to sun day after day.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."