With all the unseasonal warm weather in the Midwest this March, it got me excited to get the camper out of storage. I planned ahead to take today off and sure enough mother nature reminded me that it's still technically winter here in MN (35F and flurries...
) I still brought the camper home for the weekend to dewinterize it and start installing some of my purchases over the winter (i.e. Turbs awning poles...).
The first task was just getting the TH home from the storage lot (~1 mile from home...). Unlike the popup I had for years, I needed to remember to bring a battery so the power tongue would work (don't miss the manual crank up/down...). Once I was back home, did a quick walk around and found one of the fenders had a nice stress crack around one of the screws. Will be calling my dealer for this warrenty item. Next was a tour on the underside to see if any little critters had tried (or made...) their way into the camper. I was happy to see all the work closing off any gaps (no matter how small...) seemed to do the job. No holes or scratch marks. (never had an issue with popup in this same storage lot but you just never know..).
Next task was to get the TH hooked up at home. Started with reinstalling the two batteries up front and then connecting shore power. I was able to use one of my "winter" purchases (a new 90degree dog bone...). It was nice to finally use something I had paid for months ago. With power, I turned on the lights and did a walk around (opening every cabinet...) to see if any little critters had come in some other way. Happy to report, no evidence of any winter guests...
Now I could start on actually working on things. I unscrewed all the access panels and double checked all the water connections to ensure I would not have any leaks while I was dewinterizing/santizing. I also started up an electric heater to help ensure I had no freezing items over night (remember it's currently in the mid 30's with a forecast of 29 overnight but it's a toasty 55 inside...). I also turned on the heat pads for the tanks (have the so called "extreme package"...). With everything in place, I hooked up my white/drinking hoses and added the 1/4 cup of bleach per 15gl recommendation from the manual and others online. Pouring the bleach into the hose is pretty easy with a cheap (brand new...) funnel, just need to go slow and take your time. Once the FW tank was full of the bleach water, I turned on the water pump. (I still have the hot water heater on bypass...) I opened each cold water faucet (one at a time...) to clear out the pink antifreeze and waited until I could smell the bleach coming out (20-30 seconds...). Repeated the same process on the hot water faucets. Finally, I added 1/4 of cup of bleach to the hose and topped off the FW tank (since clearing out the lines took ~10gls from the FW...).
While I wait for the bleach to do it's job (over the next 24 hours...), started to put things back in there place and installing batteries in the clocks, smoke alarm, weather station, etc... I got to install a new foam mattress pad I picked up a Target over the winter. Looking forward to actually testing this out. Some of the other items I purchased (exterior water filter, 12v tire pump, 50amp to 30amp dog bone, stinky slinky wash out cap...) will have to wait to I actually go camping.
Tomorrow, it's supposed to be in the 40's so it's time to do the outside tasks. I will be checking the roof for any cracks or dicor caulking that is needed, then washing the roof. Also will be checking the front/sides/rear for any cauling that is needed and then washing the TH. I will also get to install the awning poles I got from Turbs and the mount the TV inside (it's easier to do these two tasks with the wife around...extra hands...).
Can't wait to actually get out camping but that will have to wait until mid-April....
Happy camping....
Linear Mode
