Laying up MH for a long time . (1 Viewer)

Cobweb

Free Member
Mar 25, 2014
388
349
North Yorkshire
Funster No
30,693
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2007
Due to extended sailing plans we may have to lay up our MH for possibly as long as a year. We considered selling but it had taken a lot of planning and research to find the one we have which has the layout we want as well as everything else so we decided to keep it . The MH is stored in a barn out of the elements but totally unheated . Can anyone point out
any problems likely to occur after such a long storage and what to do to avoid any problems . Some friends store their MH is the same place and can look in from time to time and run the motor etc .
 

Tootles

Funster
Deceased RIP
Sep 14, 2013
9,511
34,799
Lancaster
Funster No
28,093
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
Was a newbie, now a Middie.
The list is endless, but if you haven't got hook up, remove both batteries, drain down the coolant and add a three-quarter to quarter mixture of anti-freeze. If you CAN safely get all four wheels/tyres off the ground, do so. A year is a long time for your tyres to be in one position.
 
C

Chockswahay

Deleted User
Sorry, can't help........... but where are you sailing? We spent 3 years full-time on our yacht (sold now:()

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Nov 30, 2009
6,543
148,332
Pickering
Funster No
9,521
MH
PVC the PUG
Exp
Since 2009 with motorhomes several caravans then tents before that.
Mice! Especially in a nice dry barn in the winter.
 

dickieo

Free Member
Oct 12, 2012
128
95
Cantoria . Spain .
Funster No
23,261
MH
Coach Built .
Exp
Two Years ...
In a barn for a year , Mice , Rats , mould you name it and you will have it , best bet would be to sell it and when you come back buy a similar model .
 

magicsurfbus

Free Member
Oct 11, 2010
4,673
10,127
NW England
Funster No
14,057
MH
Bessacarr Coachbuilt
Exp
Since 1997
Get a dehumidifier in there to dry it out for a few days prior to storage, and if possible have it run again in the spring. Leave any locker doors, drawers, cupboard doors, fridge door, washroom door open or ajar to let air circulate.

Get all the water out of everything, especially the pump. Insulate the pump. Get the batteries on trickle charge somewhere otherwise they'll expire. This will make the occasional running of the engine a bit of a task if they need re-fitting but it won't start if the battery's flat anyway. Remember that even if an EHU is available it may not charge the engine battery.

Having had a brass gas pressure gauge split in extreme cold I'd be tempted to leave the gas bottle(s) disconnected from the supply piping.

Lay mouse bait boxes in the engine bay and put bait trays in the living quarters just in case they get inside. Don't leave any soft-packaged food in there, anywhere. Get any potential nesting materials like rugs, tea towels etc well out of the way.

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Nov 18, 2011
11,857
42,497
Planet Earth
Funster No
18,938
MH
A van
Exp
Over 25 year's
remove al traces of food Frome it disinfect all food cupboard's with something like a pine disinfectant to mask any food traces

  • ensure coolant is at full strength as toothless advice

  • do not apply hand brake as it wont release after lay up

  • have it run up and if possible taken for a drive even just one or two mills a month will do

  • corks under window wiper arms to keep window wiper rubbers off of wind screen

  • full drain down of water system just go that bit further and blow the pipe work dry or if you have a wet and dry vacuumed suck them dry levee all taps open including Gray water tap good strong solution of toilet chemical in cartridge or levee slid open and don't bother with chemical just levee dry with open slid

  • leave all cupboards open including fridge

  • just full winter shut down
 
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Cobweb

Cobweb

Free Member
Mar 25, 2014
388
349
North Yorkshire
Funster No
30,693
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2007
Sorry, can't help........... but where are you sailing? We spent 3 years full-time on our yacht (sold now:()
Hi

The boat is laid up in Florida and we have been cruising the Bahamas for many winters but now have decided to do the Great Loop after our winter Bahama cruise . The great Loop takes you from Miami to as far as New York using the intracoastal waterway and then canals and lakes through Canada and back to US via the great lakes and down the Mississippi to Florida . That is the plan for now .Where did you cruise when living on board ? We have been messing around in boats for over 30 years taking in the Med the Caribbean and now Florida and the Bahamas .
 

scotjimland

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 25, 2007
2,089
9,039
Suffolk Coastal District, UK
Funster No
15
MH
Timberland
Hi

The boat is laid up in Florida and we have been cruising the Bahamas for many winters but now have decided to do the Great Loop after our winter Bahama cruise . The great Loop takes you from Miami to as far as New York using the intracoastal waterway and then canals and lakes through Canada and back to US via the great lakes and down the Mississippi to Florida . That is the plan for now .Where did you cruise when living on board ? We have been messing around in boats for over 30 years taking in the Med the Caribbean and now Florida and the Bahamas .

That sounds like my dream cruise.. sadly only a dream..

are you needing a skivvy, deckhand, handyman, .. i can also cook :D

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C

Chockswahay

Deleted User
Hi

The boat is laid up in Florida and we have been cruising the Bahamas for many winters but now have decided to do the Great Loop after our winter Bahama cruise . The great Loop takes you from Miami to as far as New York using the intracoastal waterway and then canals and lakes through Canada and back to US via the great lakes and down the Mississippi to Florida . That is the plan for now .Where did you cruise when living on board ? We have been messing around in boats for over 30 years taking in the Med the Caribbean and now Florida and the Bahamas .
Fantastic! I'm quite jealous, enjoy:D
 
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Cobweb

Cobweb

Free Member
Mar 25, 2014
388
349
North Yorkshire
Funster No
30,693
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2007
Thanks everyone .

Some of the stuff we have done already but there are a few things we have not so many thanks for info . We have laid the MH in the barn for 5 months before with no problems . It is not a working farm anymore so have not had any problem with mice in the past. As for selling the van we did think about it and got a low quote from Browhills £27000 ....a new Rapido 997 or similar would cost up to £70000 new .Ours is a 2006 model . We decided to take our chances and keep the MH and fix what may need fixing after the long lay up .
 
C

Chockswahay

Deleted User
Oh, sorry forgot to answer the 2nd question.......

We cruised from the Hebrides to Gibralta and most places in-between ................ stopped just before we were about to cross the Atlantic :(

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Forestboy

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 31, 2007
5,023
8,338
Forest of Dean
Funster No
46
MH
A Class Hymer B694 tag
Exp
9
We had a RV in America for three and half years and used to park it up for months on end between trips. As long as your sensible no reason not too a year isn't that long.
Buy some small aluminium baking trays fill some with cat litter. Place all around the van even in empty cupboards and the fridge these will soak up moisture and reduce mould. Put some vermin poison in others and spread around the floor. Then get some fabric conditioner sheets and place in all the cupboards and drawers this keeps small vermin out apparently can't stand the smell. When you return toss the lot in a black bag job done.
Drain down tanks boiler and pipes and make sure you have a good antifreeze mix in the engine. We always ran a diluted chlorine mix through the pipes as well then just flushed out before use.
We did this and never had any problems.
Good luck (y)
Forgot leave all cupboard doors and drawers slightly open for circulation and the fridge.
 

Peter_n_Margaret

Free Member
Oct 27, 2013
86
62
Adelaide, Australia
Funster No
28,760
MH
"C" class 4WD DIY
Exp
About 20 years
For the mechanicals, do a full service and engine oil change where it will be stored.
After the oil change, disconnect the start circuit electrics and crank the engine for about 30 seconds but DO NOT LET IT START.
Then, do not touch or start the engine again until you return.
This is to ensure minimum acids in the engine oil which if left are bad for bearings etc.

I would not bother to jack the wheels off the ground. They quickly go round again after driving.

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Moodybrook

Free Member
Jul 7, 2013
802
651
Wet and cold place outside of M25
Funster No
26,824
MH
4 wheels and a pointy end
Exp
still in nappies
Set Traps, but not scatter pack rodent poisoned bait as that will attract them there, they will munch away for quite a while till the poison works, munch other things too in the meantime. (y)
 
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Cobweb

Cobweb

Free Member
Mar 25, 2014
388
349
North Yorkshire
Funster No
30,693
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2007
Set Traps, but not scatter pack rodent poisoned bait as that will attract them there, they will munch away for quite a while till the poison works, munch other things too in the meantime. (y)

Hi

I can only assume that rodents are not a problem since there are another 10 motorhomes as well as caravans stored in the barn and we have never had a problem . I think that the owner of the barn must do some pest control since the barn is always very clean and tidy .
 
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OP
Cobweb

Cobweb

Free Member
Mar 25, 2014
388
349
North Yorkshire
Funster No
30,693
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2007
That sounds like my dream cruise.. sadly only a dream..

are you needing a skivvy, deckhand, handyman, .. i can also cook :D

To anyone feeling envious all I can say is that it is not always perfect . There are days and weeks spent listening to weather forecasts before any major crossing and even then you can get it wrong ending up facing some nasty mountainous seas and thunderstorms which seem to be a Florida speciality . Motorhoming is very simple by comparison since apart from breaking down you can always go wherever you want to when you want .

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appydaze

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 12, 2009
721
1,804
southend on sea essex
Funster No
8,875
MH
Merc high top
Exp
20 years
Due to extended sailing plans we may have to lay up our MH for possibly as long as a year. We considered selling but it had taken a lot of planning and research to find the one we have which has the layout we want as well as everything else so we decided to keep it . The MH is stored in a barn out of the elements but totally unheated . Can anyone point out
any problems likely to occur after such a long storage and what to do to avoid any problems . Some friends store their MH is the same place and can look in from time to time and run the motor etc .
 

appydaze

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 12, 2009
721
1,804
southend on sea essex
Funster No
8,875
MH
Merc high top
Exp
20 years
Bought a motorhome once that had been left with the handbrake on, yes you've guessed it... the drums had turned oval... Dooh!!
 

Emmit

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 14, 2009
8,009
17,548
Cornwall
Funster No
7,967
MH
Pilote Explorateur
Exp
Jan.2014
Sorry, can't think of anything except....FILL OUT A SORN!!!

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rolandrat

Free Member
Jan 5, 2013
436
258
Lancashire
Funster No
24,164
MH
Hi Top
Exp
1990
If possible jack it up and leave it on blocks with the handbrake off as well, this will possibly help to prevent a flat spot on the wheel bearings developing due to rust forming. I have been a victim of this when I thought the brake calipers were sticking on and was only convinced otherwise when the garage lifted it 6ft off the ground with a mechanic in the driving seat, started it up and then I heard it for sure. It was only one wheel bearing that was affected, the o/s front. He told me it was a result of being left parked up for some considerable time. A new bearing was fitted and all was back to normal.
I was lucky it didn't need new brake discs as well.
 

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