Our 1st Year Not Having Scamp Stored Inside

[barryra]

This winter we are storing our 13 scamp outside at my brother's cabin.

If you were doing this how would you prepare it? We are in Minnesota so we could get some heavy snow.

Should I worry about the weight of snow on the roof? Would it be a good idea to cover it with a big tarp? How do you make mice stay away? Fabric sheets?

Thanks for any info.

[Glenn Baglo]

If fabric sheets deterred rodents, somebody would be branding and marketing them for that purpose. As noted in another post on the topic, fabric sheets also deter elephants.

[steve dunham]

When I stored my Scamp outdoors in cold / winter weather

1) I braced the roof for snow load
2) Covered the trailer ( Roof & part way down sides )
3) Removed the tires and took the weight off the axle
4) Pulled the battery and stored it in a warm place
5) Removed all food / bedding

[charlsara]

When we were on a trip two years ago, mice or some other rodent ate the wiring harness into on my side by side utility vehicle . The vehicle was parked under an open shed. I heard about dryer sheets keeping mice away. Now I put them around the engine and wiring of my vehicles and mowers if they are parked for more than a few days. So far no problems. They either work or the maybe the mice moved on...

[mary and bob]

Always a debatable subject about what will repel mice and other rodents. I use a product called Fresh Cab which is advertised as a repellant. I also keep traps in the camper, conventional spring type and the sticky traps. Never any mice, but maybe the trailers were just mouse proof.

[AC0GV]

I use damp rid with fragrance to control humidity and have never had a mouse problem, but do not know if it is related, also have traps set but never got one. I use a truckers’ load lock to hold the roof up on bad roads and for snow load in the winter just in case the round top instant shelter fails.
If you cover it with a tarp, put a blanket on first to protect the gel coat and the tarp. Then put cheap load straps over the tarp to hold it in the wind. I had to put the cover on my Jayco three times the first year before I learned that.

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by mary and bob

Always a debatable subject about what will repel mice and other rodents. ...Never any mice, but maybe the trailers were just mouse proof.

My system has been 100% effective at keeping mice out for four years and counting. I remove the food when storing the camper. Thats all that I do. But then again my camper is sealed very well.. unlike some that have the original "mouse hole" power cord door, a loose fitting door etc.

As for snow load, yes that is a concern if it is a lot of heavy snow. Best bet is to store the camper under cover. But if that is not possible then if it were me, I would add some 2x4 supports inside the camper with load spreading timber on the ceiling. And sweep off the snow when its gets thick.

I would not use a tarp. If it fits loosely then it will abrade the finish in high winds. If it does not "breath" then moisture will be trapped and make things nasty. I might consider a breathable tight fitting cover but that might make it harder to remove the snow from the roof. Keeping the camper ventilated will help prevent moisture related issues.. or running a powered dehumidifier instead of ventilation is an option.

Steve made a few additional good suggestions.. maybe remove the battery but put it on trickle charge regardless. Taking some weight off the axle will prolong its life but is not critical. Anything fabric, and maybe wood, which can be removed should be stored in a climate controlled environment (i.e. your home).

[kayaker51]

Originally Posted by gordon2

My system has been 100% effective at keeping mice out for four years and counting. I remove the food when storing the camper. Thats all that I do. But then again my camper is sealed very well.. unlike some that have the original "mouse hole" power cord door, a loose fitting door etc.

As for snow load, yes that is a concern if it is a lot of heavy snow. Best bet is to store the camper under cover. But if that is not possible then if it were me, I would add some 2x4 supports inside the camper with load spreading timber on the ceiling. And sweep off the snow when its gets thick.

I would not use a tarp. If it fits loosely then it will abrade the finish in high winds. If it does not "breath" then moisture will be trapped and make things nasty. I might consider a breathable tight fitting cover but that might make it harder to remove the snow from the roof. Keeping the camper ventilated will help prevent moisture related issues.. or running a powered dehumidifier instead of ventilation is an option.

Steve made a few additional good suggestions.. maybe remove the battery but put it on trickle charge regardless. Taking some weight off the axle will prolong its life but is not critical. Anything fabric, and maybe wood, which can be removed should be stored in a climate controlled environment (i.e. your home).

I use a 5 gallon bucket with antifreeze and a diving board. I had 15 mice in the spring.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by kayaker51

I use a 5 gallon bucket with antifreeze and a diving board. I had 15 mice in the spring.

Plastic Bucket with about 4 inches of water or antifreeze in the bottom
Tightly stretched meat wrapping paper in place of the lid.
Wooden ramp to the paper drumhead with handful of birdseed on the paper drumhead in the center. A few days go by
Note evidence of feeding and dwindling pile of seed.
Razor blade makes an X in the center
Backstroke ensues ,
Replace top, do not advertise it’s probably a federal offense.
Iowa Dave

[steve67]

If you pull the battery do not store it on a concrete floor. It'll kill a battery in time.

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by steve67

If you pull the battery do not store it on a concrete floor. It'll kill a battery in time.

From Trojan Batteries FAQ:


1. What are some common myths associated with batteries?

• Storing a battery on concrete will discharge it quicker- Long ago, when battery cases were made out of natural rubber, this was true. Now, however, battery cases are made of polypropylene or other modern materials that allow a battery to be stored anywhere. A battery’s rate of discharge is affected by its construction, its age, and the ambient temperature. The main issue with storing on concrete is that if the battery leaks, the concrete will be damaged.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

If fabric sheets deterred rodents, somebody would be branding and marketing them for that purpose. As noted in another post on the topic, fabric sheets also deter elephants.

If you don't have fabric sheets ... better brace the roof!

[floyd]

[Steve Outlaw]

Originally Posted by barryra

...we could get some heavy snow.

Should I worry about the weight of snow on the roof? Would it be a good idea to cover it with a big tarp? ...

If you're worried about weight on the roof, I certainly would not add the extra weight of a tarp.

[AC0GV]

Originally Posted by Steve Outlaw

If you're worried about weight on the roof, I certainly would not add the extra weight of a tarp.

OP is in Minnesota where 4 feet of snow is common. Then spring rain comes and soaks into snow and caves in non-reinforced Scamps (and buildings).

[Courtland PieperCo]

Scamp and Casita both drill holes and then calk them ice and calk do not go good together. Inside storage is best. So is Az. or Fl. in the winter. How many years is the calk good for. Sure winter ice and cold is not good on it.

[AdamNH]

I helped my neighbor with shrink wrapping our respective pontoon boats for the first year. As I did this I couldn't help but think that shrink wrapping the Scamp might make good sense. Does anyone ever do this or have it done?

I think it might be fairly affordable. But I don't know how dangerous it would be to be using the heat gun to shrink plastic with the fiberglass right underneath.

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by Steve Outlaw

If you're worried about weight on the roof, I certainly would not add the extra weight of a tarp.

We have a soft bristled push broom which we use to remove snow off the roof of our trailer . The weight of 3 feet of wet , heavy snow is a problem , the weight of a trailer cover is not .
We also clean the snow off our cabin , outhouse and shed roofs
I’ll take snow any day over intense sun ,heat and humidity

[pedalmike]

I stored my 13' Scamp for 16 seasons outside in the winter in Connecticut. I had a breathable custom cover for it. I used a soft bristle push broom to get the snow off after a big storm. The worst conditions were after an ice storm...but never had any damage.

My friend in coastal Maine spring wrapped his 25' Bigfoot last season and was pretty pleased with the results. If done properly, no worries about heat damage to the fiberglass....most boats that are shrink wrapped are fiberglass as well.

[Doctor Harold]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

If fabric sheets deterred rodents, somebody would be branding and marketing them for that purpose. As noted in another post on the topic, fabric sheets also deter elephants.

I hear dryer sheets are good for repelling tigers too.

Harold