Leaving A Park Trailer in the Desert Year Around ...a bad idea?
Hi. I’m considering purchasing a Forest River park trailer or sometimes called a destination trailer (either a Salem Villa or Wildwood Lodge) to keep in an RV park in the desert year around. I’ll be living in it during the winter and occasionally visiting for short stays in the summer.
However, I’m worried about the damage that will occur keeping a trailer in the desert year around and thinking it may be better to spend a bit more and get a park model instead.
I’m really worried about the fact that these Forest River trailers (or any trailer, not just Forest River), will be completely trashed and worthless in a few years because of the intense sun, UV conditions, and extreme dryness in Pahrump NV (it’s one of the driest places in the country along with Yuma). Even though there are a lot of people living in travel trailers, fifth-wheels and motorhomes in this location, I’m still wondering if this is a prudent thing to do.
I’ve heard that rubber roofs will rapidly deteriorate if not regularly applied with some UV-blocking product like Protect All, 303, etc. and that the caulking can dry up and need replacing frequently. I also have been told by several that exterior decals will peel off and look really ugly in no time.
I know the interior will need special precautions taken when leaving it in the summer but I’m not as worried about that. Although I still have a few questions on that too …like do I leave the a/c thermostat on 90 degrees or so? …or unplug the power completely and just crack a roof vent slightly and leave buckets of water so there will be a bit of humidity created. In my stick house, I left the a/c on about 92 degrees when I left in the summer.
So, my questions to you folks is if anybody leaves an RV in the desert all year long and if so, any helpful advice you can give me? I've owned a motorhome for a number of years but never have had a trailer.
Is a Forest River-made RV as good as any manufacturer pertaining to this type of use or is there some other manufacturer I should consider? Somebody told me to use a custom builder so I could specify a fiberglass roof and better insulation in general for extreme conditions. Will a rubber roof be ok?
TIA !
--theroc
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