Winterization - exterior and interior

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After only two glorious fall weekends using our new 178, it is time for us to put it away for the Colorado winter. Unfortunately, the R-pod will be in a storage lot and not at home where I can monitor its condition. In preparation, I plan to take these steps. The guidance of longer time Podders will be appreciated.
I have been told by several people, due to the high winds in the area, that tarping or covering is not advisable. I will wash the outside and want to provide some sort of UV protection for the finish. What wax or similar product do people recommend? 
I will cover the tires.
I will close the shades and blinds - are they adequate sun protection for 6 months?
The black and grey tanks will be drained and adequate antifreeze will be added.
I will drain the freshwater tank and water heater and pump antifreeze into the system.
I will store the battery at home in the garage (on a wood block).
I will locate as many penetrations through the floor as I can find and fill them with foam sealant.
Do people recommend any sort of rodent protection?
What am I overlooking?
Thom

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HeyCampers Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 25 Aug 2016 Location: Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Topic: Winterization - exterior and interior Posted: 20 Sep 2016 at 11:23pm
	After only two glorious fall weekends using our new 178, it is time for us to put it away for the Colorado winter. Unfortunately, the R-pod will be in a storage lot and not at home where I can monitor its condition. In preparation, I plan to take these steps. The guidance of longer time Podders will be appreciated. I have been told by several people, due to the high winds in the area, that tarping or covering is not advisable. I will wash the outside and want to provide some sort of UV protection for the finish. What wax or similar product do people recommend? I will cover the tires. I will close the shades and blinds - are they adequate sun protection for 6 months? The black and grey tanks will be drained and adequate antifreeze will be added. I will drain the freshwater tank and water heater and pump antifreeze into the system. I will store the battery at home in the garage (on a wood block). I will locate as many penetrations through the floor as I can find and fill them with foam sealant. Do people recommend any sort of rodent protection? What am I overlooking? Thom

sean p Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 24 Feb 2016 Location: athens ga Online Status: Offline Posts: 48	Posted: 21 Sep 2016 at 5:44am
	everything sounds great you are planning.We still plan on more trips till nov.1st. And we are lucky to store in our yard. Maob calls for the end of october and plenty of free camping spots around jefferson county . Happy winter to you..
	2016 179pod--BETTY 2010 nissan frontier Sean and Doug Butchie the morkie touring the west

ron_whitt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 08 Sep 2011 Location: Chesterville On Online Status: Offline Posts: 261	Posted: 21 Sep 2016 at 7:02am
	Thom, we put dryer sheets everywhere inside the pod and put some cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil in dishes covered with saran wrap with a couple small holes in the wrap. These we also put everywhere including the storage areas. We then place on the ground some moth balls under the pod as a first line of defence against mice etc. Starting our 5th winter and so far so good.
	Ron & Shirley 2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 21 Sep 2016 at 8:41pm
	No need for antifreeze in the gray and black tanks. Also no need to store the battery on a board, that solves an old problem from way back in the days when battery cases were slightly conductive so storing them on a concrete floor caused them to discharge. No problem with the modern plastic cases. See the link in my signature for a winterization checklist.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

HeyCampers Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 25 Aug 2016 Location: Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Posted: 22 Sep 2016 at 12:40am
	This is all very helpful. In fortunately my travel schedule this year won't let us camp ithrough October, like Sean P. One question that hasn't been answered is a recommendation for a finish coating (wax). And one that I didn't ask: do I need to cover the air conditioner? Thanks all, Thom

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326	Posted: 22 Sep 2016 at 7:13am
	I've been using Turtle Wax Ice. It is a synthetic polymer wax, and seems to work well. It can be applied in the full sun. I've been using it on my car (and previous car) for years. As for covering the air conditioner, while probably not required, it would not be a bad idea if you are not using a full cover on the R-Pod. I've seen a picture of a cover made just for RV air conditioners. One of those would probably be best as it would fit the shape. I have a full cover (Classic Accessories) on our EscaPOD. It has two straps that run underneath to keep it in place. Since it is made for the R-Pod, I would expect it to stand up, even if it does get windy.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

ron_whitt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 08 Sep 2011 Location: Chesterville On Online Status: Offline Posts: 261	Posted: 22 Sep 2016 at 7:18am
	As for wax. I have used Nufinish for all my vehicles and also now on the pod. Love it.
	Ron & Shirley 2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 22 Sep 2016 at 9:18am
	We had our pod 5 1/2 years, never covered it but it did need a heavy wash every spring due to tree sap. Can't hurt to cover part or all of it.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

Jewel59 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 19 May 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 70	Posted: 22 Sep 2016 at 8:24pm
	I live in SC, my Rpod is in covered storage. I have a trip to FLA planned in mid December (dog show of course 😊). It won't be below freezing Florida and only a slight chance of below freezing up to December in SC. How much winterization is needed before that trip in December (it "might" get briefly below freezing by mid December, as in maybe - couple hours over night). It will be winterized fully after the December trip.

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326	Posted: 22 Sep 2016 at 9:14pm
	Overnight brief freezes which are in the 30's, and high 20's should be okay, especially if you have some form of heat running inside the Pod and leave cabinet doors open where there is plumbing. Extended freezes would, or course, require proper winterization. When we went out west last winter, we had some overnights in the low 20's. It was above freezing during the day though. and when it was coldest, we were running the furnace.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS