What is the better surface for storing a fiberglass RV outside?

[Bill MN]

I am wondering what is the best surface for storing my Scamp outside when not in use in order to minimize the effects of moisture on the RV frame.

I have already been advised that grass is not good at all, in terms of moisture problems, and that concrete and asphalt are not much better, both being said to wick up moisture from the ground under a stored vehicle. It seems to come down to some kind of gravel or crushed concrete.

I'm interested in opinions on this from those with experience with similar moisture problems.

Thank you!

[emij]

The place where we store our camper (a commercial RV storage lot) uses finely crushed rock for the pads. I hadn't really thought about that before so I'm interested in the responses that you get.

[Raz]

Mine sits on mostly packed dirt. Has for 6 years. A proper gravel pad is in the works. One of these days. . I had a little surface rust so I painted the frame this year. In my opinion air circulation is the best way to keep moisture damage from happening. I suppose if you are really worried about it you could park your trailer on a tarp? Raz

[Rich G. and Val F.]

Being on a limited budget, I got 4'x4' treated 3/4 inch ground contact plywood sheets and put those down. They keep the trailer from sinking in the mud or creating ruts when the ground is wet. They also create a clean place to walk around the trailer. This is much less expensive than bringing in rock or paving.

[J Mitch]

I have a 17 casita and a 29 airstream. My she'd has a gravel floor in addition I place plastic down and put a treated 2x12 on the plastic level it and park trailer on them the plastic keeps the moisture back and the wood levels gives firm surface.

[Steve L.]

Some use a pair of inexpensive jack stands, on the trailer frame, to lift the trailer off its tires. I would think any packed surface would suffice for jack stands.


Harbor Fright, ~$25 a pair, 3 ton, steel, 12+ pounds
~$40 a pair, 3 ton aluminum, 4+ pounds


Might need a cinderblock under each rear stabilizer for them to reach the ground.


Personally, mine has been on concrete since 2003. Some years I even put the tire covers on, but less than a third of the time. From my perspective, you're overthinking this but it doesn't hurt to do a sanity check every now and then.

[stevebaz]

Personally I would use concrete. While moisture coming off concrete still happens it is of a very fine nature and readily mixes with air. Damp porous surfaces will pump a lot of moisture up as the ground warms up. Just make sure the concrete is graded so water doesn't puddle.

[Wayne Collins]

CONCRETE

[Randy J.]

Worst would be long, choking grass. Gravel I suppose might be ideal. But really, I think so long as there is good air circulation under and around the RV, things should be fine. I always trim our lawn very short, just before freeze up and before parking our Trillium. I had the frame Crown undercoated, inside and out, about three years and should do it again this. This year I will block the corners, put something under the wheels to spread the weight and (thanks for the idea) may put some poly underneath.

[floyd]

I like gravel, but storing outside should allow for adequate ventilation under the trailer, as long as water doesn't stand under the trailer.

[Glenn Baglo]

Best stay out of the trailer too.
Up to 60% of the human adult body is water. According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water.May 2, 2016

[stude]

Originally Posted by Steve L.

Some use a pair of inexpensive jack stands, on the trailer frame, to lift the trailer off its tires. I would think any packed surface would suffice for jack stands.


Harbor Fright, ~$25 a pair, 3 ton, steel, 12+ pounds
~$40 a pair, 3 ton aluminum, 4+ pounds


Might need a cinderblock under each rear stabilizer for them to reach the ground.


Personally, mine has been on concrete since 2003. Some years I even put the tire covers on, but less than a third of the time. From my perspective, you're overthinking this but it doesn't hurt to do a sanity check every now and then.

:Make sure you cut some 3/4" Plywood squares to put under them so they do not sink down into Asphalt.
Stude

[Carl Pa]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

Best stay out of the trailer too.
Up to 60% of the human adult body is water. According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water.May 2, 2016

Huhhh.

[james kent]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

Best stay out of the trailer too.
Up to 60% of the human adult body is water. According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water.May 2, 2016

The doc calls it arthritis. Now I find out that I have rust.
Jim


Sent from my iPad using Fiberglass RV

[Grandfatherjim]

I saw some time back, so I don't remember the brand, that one of the upscale inflatable plastic garages for vintage cars (kind of a blow-up tent), featured a small fan that you keep running all winter to circulate air under the vehicle.
So I guess keeping a trailer fairly high up off whatever surface, would be advantageous i.e. jack it up and put large/tall (not cinder!) blocks under your favourite spots.

[DeBreez]

When I was visiting friends in Tallahassee, one of their neighbors had a collection of antique Dodge trucks. He made pads from pressure-treated landscape timbers staked into the ground. I would assume they floated on a bed of sand or gravel. Anyway, it seemed like a good solution, they looked great and he had some very expensive machinery sitting on them. May do something similar in our yard if we don't get a poured concrete pad, or one made of pavers.

[stude]

Originally Posted by stude

:Make sure you cut some 3/4" Plywood squares to put under them so they do not sink down into Asphalt.
Stude

:quite quickly, I know a fellow who parked his car on grass and 2 years later came back to start restoring it and the whole interior floor including the trunk and inner fenders were all gone, grass contains water and metal does not like water because over time you get rust.
That car was a family item from way back and he did a complete Restoration on it, he will drive it till he cannot not anymore but he has sons and daughters all waiting in line for it. Anything can be repaird but it costs money! and someone else to do the work.
Stude

[Mr Lynn]

Well, the grass underneath our Casita is dying, so I doubt if it will be a problem; the dirt is fairly hard. I'm trying to decide what to do about winter. I may jack up the wheels an inch or so and put jackstands under the frame to hold them; probably should get some outdoor plywood or paving stones for the stands.

I'd like to keep the snow off, but covers are expensive, and any kind of DIY carport that will survive snow and wind much more so. I'd also like to be able to get inside to do some work, e.g. put in some shelves in the closet.

Suggestions welcome. . .

/Mr Lynn

[Lercs]

My only place to easily store my trailer in beside my house. Right now I have it parked on the grass, but I know that it is not a good idea.

Should I put a tarp under it? (Knowing it will likely kill the grass)

[Jann Todd]

To protect the tires put a piece of wood under them so that the dirt or concrete doesn't cause drying out of the tires. We park on concrete but in our garage and park on wood or rubber backed carpet. For the frame I have no suggestions.