Winterized: AKA...The Sunline Separation Blues

Drake · 10-27-2013, 06:04 PM

Well, this weekend we put our Seville to bed for the winter...cut it close too... the temp. got down to 31 while we were there. I continue to be impressed by the soundness and durability of this old 87 camper. With some maintenance and care, she continues to provide a haven in the country for us. Actually winterizing the rest of the stuff on the property was more of a chore than shutting down and winterizing all the systems on the trailer.
So, the long, cold, winter looms, and the respite from the hassle of the city offered during the warmer months by our home away from home, is for a season, not an option. (Sigh!)

marcom13 · 10-29-2013, 11:12 PM

Hello,
I am beginning to understand that feeling. We just boiught an '89 saturn t-1700 and before we could get up and licensed and moving, it's time to winterize her. So far we've drained the water down and put in antifreeze in all the sink drains and waste tanks, soon to unhook the propane and add mothballs to the storage areas to keep the spiders at bay and covering up all the propane hoses to keep them safe. We're quite sad but starting to make new curtains and cushion covers so that gets us by.
Happy Winter
Emmett & Kathleen

Poppy & Nana · 10-30-2013, 06:46 AM

Marcom13 - you DO NOT want to put mothballs inside your Sunny!!!!! what I have done over the years is hang bags of mothballs (take a ladies knee high nylon - like we wear under slacks) and use that as the bag and hang them about the trailer in various locations....been doing that for years!

Drake · 10-30-2013, 12:15 PM

So Poppy and Nana you are saying mothballs damage the trailer in some way if not placed in some sort of container? What about a plastic Cool-Whip container with holes punched in the lids? What is the danger posed by the mothballs?

marcom13, yes, portable projects that can be accomplished in the cold months help stave off the blues!

Poppy & Nana · 10-30-2013, 12:42 PM

No - moth balls will not damage the trailer BUT it will take forever to get the smell out....

Gene · 10-30-2013, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppy & Nana

... BUT it will take forever to get the smell out....

Ain't that the truth.

I do put mothballs in the water heater compartment and fridge compartment near the burners because I have heard spiders like the "smell" of gas. I tried Bounce dryer sheets one year but the spiders cloged the water heater burner!!!

mike71654 · 10-30-2013, 02:15 PM

Well, we winterized and closed our Sunny up for the winter and are definitely experiencing winter camping withdrawal. Seems like yesterday when we were setting her up last spring and all of a sudden winter is here. It is going to be a LONG six months. "sigh"

bunjin · 10-30-2013, 05:11 PM

Here in Connecticut it is still fall. The temps or just in the high 20's low 30's at night. As long as my 1500 watt ceramic heater can keep the coach at 65+ I'm using the trailer.

I have kinda winterized it. Per Gene's orders, I put antifreeze in the hot water tank for that sweet taste next spring...

**Sunline Fan** · 10-31-2013, 10:29 AM

I put Bounce dryer sheets in mine for many years. I haven't put any in lately, but being sealed inside helps. Still should go put some fresh ones in. Does the same job as moth balls, or so they say, and a whole lot less smelly. Never had a problem with using them.

Gene · 10-31-2013, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunjin

... Per Gene's orders, I put antifreeze in the hot water tank for that sweet taste next spring...

Another great thing about this forum. We can have fun and nobody takes offense.

Poppy & Nana · 10-31-2013, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene

Another great thing about this forum. We can have fun and nobody takes offense.

Oh how so very true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bunjin · 11-01-2013, 03:36 PM

If I don't laugh I'll start crying.

I have found the little simple things on the TT are the hardest to accomplish. I have to make light of it all.

I like the idea of dryer sheets. I actually like the smell of one of the Gain dryer sheets. This reminds me That I need some for the dryer anyways, thus kill two birds (and spiders ???) with one stone or in this case how many dryer sheets?

Repel spiders with one stone just doesn't sound right.

Oh, BTW, how well do spiders smell? I know some spiders smell. Daddy long legs for example, but can spiders smell?

Gene · 11-01-2013, 06:27 PM

I have heard that only the Bounce fabric softener dryer sheets, made by Procter & Gamble can repel spiders.

I did find one story that links to proof that Bounce dryer sheets will repel fungus gnats..... if only I knew what a fungus gnat was.

Do Dryer Sheets Repel Pests?

bunjin · 11-01-2013, 06:55 PM

I know what fungus gnats are. Harmless fly (very small fly/gnat) that can be common to moist soil of house plants. Generally introduced from nursery plants, esp. grown in greenhouses.

I'll look at the floral-scent in Gain. If it has linalool, odds are it will work as well or not as Bounce.

I don't really want to just bounce to any possible solution, however, I would like to gain a solution.

pwb01 · 11-02-2013, 05:30 PM

I've used Bounce for 10 years now and not once have I found as much as a spider, ant or anything else inside the camper or in any compartment.

I just put them in today, one in each drawer, cabinet and each compartment. Air it out for one day in the spring and the smell is gone.

Poppy & Nana · 11-02-2013, 05:57 PM

I use Downy and same results.....

pwb01 · 11-03-2013, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppy & Nana

I use Downy and same results.....

I wondered if other dryer sheets worked! I do notice that camping supply sales such as Camping World have them on the shelves this time of the year.