Storing the TM Open

All,

My TM is taking a beating and I believe part of the problem is long stretches of it being closed and out in the elements. I have a feeling if I left it open I would check it more often and be more likely to find problems quicker. Additionally, it would take less wear and tear in the sense that I wouldn't have to open and close it so often just to get a look at what's going on inside.

But, obviously with it open it would have more area exposed to the elements as well as get more josteled by the wind.

My plan would be to cover the windows on the inside with some cardboard just to keep the sun damage out.

I was wondering if anyone had experience with leaving it open for long stretches and if there is anything unique I should do or be looking for if I do it.

Thanks...oh...and my locale is eastern North Carolina.

[B_and_D]

We leave ours open and have an ADCO cover for it. I go out there at least every two weeks or so (sometimes more frequently) for one reason or another.

Instead of rolling up the ADCO cover door panel, we tuck it up over the roof towards the other side, it makes it easier to open and close the door.

To protect the cover from the sharp corners I tape styrofoam corners (that I scrounge from packaging of new computers at work, etc.) onto them. I have been using duct tape but I am going to switch to that heavy black tape instead, the duct tape always leaves a residue that takes me a couple of camping trips to clean off.

Sometimes when the weather is nice I open up the windows in the TM and air it out.

[mjlaupp]

Been leaving mine in the open position since the first one and have not found any reason to do otherwise. I don't have a cover so it gets a spring cleaning outside every year. I leave the front and rear windows partially open for ventilation year round.
Mike

B&D,

May I ask what size ADCO cover you bought since I also have a 2720. It would save me some measuring and legwork...

thanks for the tips!

[B_and_D]

http://trailmanorowners.com/forum/sh...highlight=adco

I guess I bought the 24' to 26' length, I looked it up when I posted this.

[mcgyver210]

We store ours open & this allows us to work on it anytime we want to. We also have electric & water & even eat supper in it sometimes just for fun.

[Bill]

FWIW, I store mine closed. In Arizona in the winter, it is stored in the garage. In coastal Maine in the summer (usually humid, sometimes hot), it is stored outside, closed, with an ADCO cover over it. The only problem I ever had was when mice got into it one summer - that was a mess.

Bill

[kempert]

For the past 6 years, I've kept mine up whenever I'm not on the road. I also crack the front and rear windows (the stone guards keep the rain out) except in the winter. I use the flat (not folded) sunscreens that are sold for autos in the side windows. You simply slip them in between the glass and the curtains. I use the silver reflective ones that also help keep the heat out.

Kempert,

Great tip! That's much better than cardboard.