Best way to leave for a week

[Jermba623]

Hey everyone new to the forum, not to camping though. Just got a spot on a river not too far from home and have been leaving the fifth wheel down there and boondocking every weekend. Finally got a couple poles put in for electric so I can keep the rig cool and the fridge on through the week. My question is, is it ok to pull the slides in and leave the AC on say 80 degrees or so? Just so it doesn't take the rig forever to cool off when we get there. I'm going to shut off the hot water and won't need the gas on as well. From what I have read a lot of people keep their slides out year round. But there are a lot of trees where I'm at so a lot of debris will end up on the slide covers and they hold water whenever it rains and I have to retract them to get it off. Just wondering since I won't have to shut it completely down every weekend now. Thanks for the replies.

[mlh]

I would pull the slides in.
Lynwood

[wed]

Yes I do it

[Jermba623]

Thanks. I appreciate the replies.

[RMcNeal]

I would also pull the slides in, however, if your covers are sagging and holding water, an easy way to prevent that is to use cheap floaties or beach balls inflated enough to keep the cover from sagging. Place them between the slide roof and the cover.

[DutchmenSport]

If you are not actively using the camper, pull slides in. Leaving it for a couple days, no problem. But if longer, and definitely in a wooded area, pull them in. The less exposed, the more protected your camper is.

Also, if you keep valuables in the camper, like hand guns, put them in the cabinets where the slides block. If anyone breaks into your camper, they will be much harder to access if blocked by the slides when they are pulled in. It's just an idea.

Keeping power connected and the AC on will not hurt anything. Also, keeping the refrigerator on all the time won't hurt anything either.

BUT do invest in an EMS (surge protector) and keep your camper plugged into it all the time. This is probably the absolute best protection you can ever do for your camper. There are 2 types. Portable ones you plug in at the power source, and hard wired you install inside your camper. Which ever way works best for you is OK, but the important thing is, you get one!

[Jermba623]

Will definitely put a surge protector on the list. Thanks for the advice.

[DQDick]

Not a surge protector, but an EMS (electic management system). It's a surge protector and a whole lot more to protect your high dollar systems. We use Progressive Industries on both of our rigs and their customer service is as good as it gets.

[Foldbak]

Close the blinds

[Jermba623]

Keep blinds closed all the time. Only have one ac but with those closed it keeps the rig cool on a 100 degree day.

[Camp CA]

Whenever, I have left the trailer for a few days I disconnect the water and turn off all the electrical appliances, except refreigerator. For longer period additionally I pull the slides in, turn off power to the trailer and empty refrigerator of perishables.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by Camp CA

Whenever, I have left the trailer for a few days I disconnect the water and turn off all the electrical appliances, except refreigerator. For longer period additionally I pull the slides in, turn off power to the trailer and empty refrigerator of perishables.

That's a good suggestion to turn off the water. I'd go as far to depressurize the system as well. Just to be safe. I'd hate to come home to a leak.

[RMcNeal]

I do that when just gone for the day. I don't have any leaks, but I'd hate to have one while I was gone for hours and find out when I get back.

[Dave W]

We did a seasonal site when not traveling. Slides got left out, just the fridge on, water off, a/c set to 85, awning stowed when we left for a week or so at the house. The 5er was just fine between August 2014 and November 2021 that way. We used Reflectix (Home Depot) on all windows when away and on the @#$% black west facing slide sides.