|
10-22-2016, 05:01 PM
|
#1
|
2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 24
|
Storing question for underground cave in Louisville
Here in Louisville, we have a huge underground storage area, where 3,000 boats are stored during the winter...
Questions:
When I leave my new 2017 international signature 25fb, should I:
Open the curtains?
Open the windows or ceiling vents?
Remove the batteries?
Anything else (moisture?)
Thanks much!
|
|
|
10-22-2016, 05:53 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
2010 27' FB Classic
N/A
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,809
|
Before I get started, I just want to mention that mushroom are grown in caves. I had an Airstream stored in a limestone cave in PA for about a year, the area where the trailer was stored was not climate controlled. Long story short, we had mildew everywhere. It was impossible to completely get rid of it. It was growing in the carpet and inside the furniture padding. The company that owns the cave only said to leave open containers of charcoal in a couple of areas of the trailer and close it up tight. During the time the trailer was in the cave it accumulated at least 2 inches of lime dust on the roof so leaving anything open would have added to our problems when we took it out of there.
If there is ever a next time, I'll pick a cave that has climate control. I suggest you do the same.
|
|
|
10-22-2016, 07:07 PM
|
#3
|
2 Rivet Member
Louisville
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 51
|
I believe Louisville underground is climate controlled, but I would take your batteries out and keep your vents closed. The mountain bike park may create a lot of dust.
When I worked for the Louisville water company we used to dump our spoils down their to fill it in. Pretty creepy place before they developed it.
|
|
|
10-22-2016, 07:27 PM
|
#4
|
3 Rivet Member
2013 30' Flying Cloud
Cincinnati
, Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 205
|
The old mine in Louisville is far enough underground that it is supposed to be 55* year around. I was thinking of storing my AS there but never did. I called them and for me the deal breaker was that the trailer went in in the fall, and came out in the Spring. There would be no visitation during the winter. And you don't get to park your own trailer, you drop it and they take it underground. I didn't want some idiot on a tractor being careless with my hitch, and even more careless with parking my trailer 3 inches from the next one. And if I remember correctly, the facility requires that the propane tanks be removed. Maybe their storage process is OK for boats, but it didn't seem to work for me and my trailer.
I also noticed that they offer underground ZipLine adventures in the caverns, which brought visions of someone going splat into the side of my Airstream (I am sure sure the areas are very separate, but it does make for quite a visual).
If the Louisville underground storage is a right fit for you, it would seem that you would have to remove the batteries - how else would they stay charged? The facility won't be hooking up electric to every trailer. I would leave it sealed up. As for moisture, you're counting on it not being a problem. Putting out the pots of calcium chloride is fine, but they won't last for 6 months. I have to admit...the prospect of not having to winterize is pretty appealing. I suppose you will have to make your decision soon as the weather gets cooler. If you go underground, give us a first hand account of your experience!
|
|
|
10-23-2016, 11:01 AM
|
#5
|
1 Rivet Member
2006 16' International CCD
Albertville
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 9
|
Caves in Kansas City
We park in limstone caves in Kansas City. Should we remove batteries? Anything else? It is climate controlled.
|
|
|
10-23-2016, 12:03 PM
|
#6
|
4 Rivet Member
1977 31' Sovereign
Lynnwood
, Washington
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 311
|
What's in the cave atmosphere?? What makes those stalactites?? Is it calcium and water??
I may be wrong, but I think Ca + H2O will oxidize aluminum over time. Check other rigs in storage for signs of oxidation.
Tom
|
|
|
10-23-2016, 07:32 PM
|
#7
|
2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 24
|
thanks to all...
the boats and trailers co-exist in steady 55 degree environment... the ziplines, bicycle trails, drone racing, and all other activities are not in the same areas with the boats and trailers...
i will be removing batteries and LP bottles, leave windows and vents closed...
my only remaining question... with steady indoor, covered 55 degree temp. do you think moisture should concern me?
thanks again!
Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums
|
|
|
10-23-2016, 08:03 PM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
|
Yes moisture should definitely concern you, and IMO you should obtain feedback from the facility about humidity levels. 55 F heat is fine for not freezing, but is also a perfect Petri Dish environment for growing mold if the humidity is high. If the facility is not perfectly "climate controlled" [as one poster said it is] it is likely to be humid at different times. I would make sure that the rental agreement contract contains an explicit guaranty of the humidity level.
As a previous poster said, if mold grows in your trailer, it is almost impossible to get out of all the fabrics, including mattresses and cushions, as well as all the hidden cavities and insulation in the walls etc..
|
|
|
10-23-2016, 09:18 PM
|
#9
|
Silver Star
1970 23' Safari
Victoria
, British Columbia
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 352
|
I would think it shouldn't be to hard to find people who have stored there before... and they should have the answers you need ....I've never heard of this type of storage .... sounds like it could be perfect storage if the moisture is controlled.
|
|
|
10-23-2016, 10:14 PM
|
#10
|
Rivet Master
Southwestern
, Ohio
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,671
|
The company that operates the facility claims they maintain 60 +/- 4% relative humidity. That doesn't sound too bad for mold growth. Probably a good idea to talk with someone who has stored their trailer there.
http://louisvilleunderground.com/storage_trailer.htm
|
|
|
10-24-2016, 07:51 AM
|
#11
|
Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
|
The following document suggests that the comfort range for humidity is 20-60 %, and anything over 60 is considered "uncomfortably wet."
https://buildingscience.com/document...-humidity/view
So the facility's stated goal of 56-64% is not all that dry IMO.
The other factor here is that you give up the trailer for a set period of many months, with no access, and no windows or vents open, as I understand it from previous posts.
Personally, I would not put my trailer in this facility. Winterizing one's trailer is simpler than most make it out to be IMO.
YMMV
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuvite-F
The company that operates the facility claims they maintain 60 +/- 4% relative humidity. That doesn't sound too bad for mold growth. Probably a good idea to talk with someone who has stored their trailer there.
http://louisvilleunderground.com/storage_trailer.htm
|
|
|
|
10-24-2016, 08:38 AM
|
#12
|
Full time Airstreamer
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Anywhere
, USA Living.Somewhere.Yonder
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,359
|
I stored my trailer at Brady's Bend in PA two winters ago. We did opt for the humidity controlled section and I have to say the whole thing was awesome. I would not hesitate to do it again.
Propane tanks had to stay above ground. They required the batteries to be disconnected but not removed. I removed them and put them on a trickle charger at home. Not sure that was necessary but it was easy enough.
I drove my own trailer through the tunnels. Frankly, it wasn't easy. I almost would prefer that they towed it down there. I wasn't concerned about my ability to negotiate but someone else hitting my parked trailer. Didn't end up being an issue as they had me back into a dead end spot, so nobody drove past my trailer.
Oh yea, where I parked mine all the walls (and ceiling?) were painted. I didn't get a lot of dust on the trailer, but did get some.
__________________
@living.somewhere.yonder | Instagram
|
|
|
10-24-2016, 10:28 AM
|
#13
|
Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
|
Thanks for that link Scott. That facility considers 65% relative humidity to be conditioned space, so your satisfaction there suggests that the other facility at 56% to 64% should also be acceptable.
YMMV
PS -- Amazing stats: "The mine is over 50 million square feet and encompasses over 600 miles of road underground."
FAQ: http://bradysbend.com/faq/
|
|
|
10-24-2016, 02:26 PM
|
#14
|
Full time Airstreamer
2014 30' FB FC Bunk
Anywhere
, USA Living.Somewhere.Yonder
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,359
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by OTRA15
Thanks for that link Scott. That facility considers 65% relative humidity to be conditioned space, so your satisfaction there suggests that the other facility at 56% to 64% should also be acceptable.
YMMV
PS -- Amazing stats: "The mine is over 50 million square feet and encompasses over 600 miles of road underground."
FAQ: http://bradysbend.com/faq/
|
Yes. It's quite a facility. There must be millions of dollars worth of boats, cars, motorcycles, etc down there. Actually sort of neat just driving around. They also have office/warehouse space.
__________________
@living.somewhere.yonder | Instagram
|
|
|
10-24-2016, 03:48 PM
|
#15
|
retired USA/USAF
2001 30' Excella
Somerset
, New Jersey
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,418
|
We purchased our current Airstream from a friend in Kansas. They had bought it new and kept is stored underground in ( or around) Liberty, Mo for the 11 years they had it. It only came out for the times they were traveling. I don't know anything specific about the conditions at that facility but our friends were very happy with the storage and service provided. I wish I had a covered storage but, alas, I don't so it lives outside these days.
__________________
Roger in NJ
" Democracy is the worst form of government. Except for all the rest"
Winston Churchill 1948
TAC - NJ 18
|
|
|
05-14-2023, 11:53 AM
|
#16
|
4 Rivet Member
2018 30' Flying Cloud
Anchorage
, Alaska
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 439
|
Did you ever use the Louisville underground storage? Curious if there's any experience with it now, since it's been a few years. Mostly concerned about dust.
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|