Storing camper for next trip

[Pling]

Gday all,

Just wondering what people do when packing the camper away, In regards to the bedding do you leave it set for the next trip or not.
Wife and I were thinking of leaving the doona cover, sheets on, the kids therma rest's and sleeping bags under the travel cover or will they go all musty???

Of course removing perishables and giving the tent an air out when you get home is necessary, would like to hear what others do.

Cheers

[Bill]

All we do is remove the bedding and food, then fill the water tank...
Bill and Morag

[Chris-Vi]

Depends on how long before we have another trip planned. Quite often the better half will remake the bed before we pack up so the next trip all we have to do is open the camper. If it is going to be a while before another trip the bed is stripped and pillows packed away under the bed. 

[Garry H]

Bedding is all made up ready to go, no humidity here for things to go musty

[Willow Girl]

We always carry a clean set of sheets with us. when leaving camp I putthe clean ones on and put the dirty ones in with the dirty clothes. when we get home after they are washed they go straight back into the plastic container we use for our clothes. we also do this with the teatowels, towels and dishcloths.

[Blinky Bill]

Hi there Pling - I think Garry H is on the money mentioning local climatic conditions. I'd suggest it all depends on where you live plus how & where you stow your Camper Trailer.

Where we live mould & mildew can be a problem in the house. So we ventilate a lot and I'm still constantly cleaning ceilings, walls, windows and leather products.

In the case of the camper when we return back from a trip we erect the camper to air it and to ensure everything is 100% dry as a bone (inside and out). Off comes all the bedding for a wash & airing. And we take out the mattress and give it a good dose of sunshine (both sides) to keep it fresh too.

Things then get folded and packed away and we don't touch the camper until a day or so before we head off for the next trip. The it's reopened & we check all is okay before putting fresh linen, doona, etc.

Perhaps ever so slightly over the top but it's peace of mind for a happy and healthy holiday.

Cheers - Wayne

[bobnrob]

We always carry a clean set of sheets with us. when leaving camp I putthe clean ones on and put the dirty ones in with the dirty clothes. when we get home after they are washed they go straight back into the plastic container we use for our clothes. we also do this with the teatowels, towels and dishcloths.

Same procedure my wife uses

[dooguss]

We are more of less the same, come home open up and air out the canvas then we put all new bedding into the camper before we close it up just means 1 less job when we next go away.

[jeeps]

Mine is locked in a shed but even so I have to completely cover it with a quality tarp and clamp it down all underneath otherwise mould spores land on the cover and start to grow.

We keep all the bedding on the mattress and the sleeping bags spread out on top for months at a time if required and change the sheets just before leaving or after we get there if we plan to have time.

Cheers

[D4D]

Reminds me, I should open mine up for an airing

[UTE 701]

All we do is remove the bedding and food, then fill the water tank...
Bill and Morag

Educate me please ....

Are water tanks best left full or empty when storing away ? 

[Malcur]

If we have packed up dry, then I don't find any need to air the camper when we get home. If the bedding needs changing (wife's decision) then we strip the sheets before we pack up for the last time before coming home. Otherwise the bed is made up on the last day and left that way for the next camping trip. We park the camper outside at home, and cover with a tarp. No mould problems for us.

Are water tanks best left full or empty when storing away ?

I have never emptied our water tank. Never felt the need to, never had any problems. Although I am probably going to empty today as I am planning to install a water level guage

Mal

[Desert lover]

Similar here.  On last day we try to be fairly close to home weather permitting... Our last "Pack up" takes a bit longer as we try to ensure camper canvass is totally dry.  We strip the bed and air the mattress while we have breakfast, pack and clean up the kitchen etc.  Then remake the bed with clean linen.  Once home it's into the garage so that I can empty the water tanks (level ground)...  Now and again we will use tank clean or a similar product just to ensure the tanks are clean for the next trip. Our porta potti is given a good clean, The food bin comes out, another set of clean linen goes in, camper is all closed up and I  throw a tarp/cover over the whole lot to keep any dust off and then start planning the next outing!  Oh, I also check things like bearings, tow hitch.. anything which may need attention so that there is no panic before we go away again.
Cheers.
 

[V8TL8]

Pretty much the same as all the above good advice.

Hose the dust down first. If the canvas was wet or even damp we will set it up in the shed for a night or two , canvas fully erected, then place an oil heater inside the camper till dry.
Also we have taken to putting one of those Hippo damp rid containers in the camper if packing up for a while, you'd be surprised at how much moisture it absorbs. Air the mattress. Now in summer we only sleep on a bottom sheet and mattress protector and sleeping bag. Winter: all bedding comes off, mattress aired. Quick wipe of the kitchen surfaces. Refill water tanks and water jerry cans, check battery levels, trickle charge, check tyres pressures etc and pack her up ready to go. Repack the nose cone box and general tidy up. Occasionally weight the gas bottles. All set for next time. Then we only need to hook her up, food and clothing goes in the back of the Patrol on the morning off departure.

[JCAT]

When we get home we set up the camper, let it air for a day or two to make sure the canvas is completely dry, clean the kitchen and refill anything we have ran out of, fill the water tanks and back into the shed it goes. Charge the batteries for a couple of days and then it is ready to go.

The kids air mattresses stay on top of our mattress, ready for next time.