Summer Parking In My Yard...

[jck_dmb]

Hi All! Hope this is the right place to post this. I have a 2017 23D International. We use it as often as possible, but it does sit idle in our yard for a week or two at a time. I have a couple of questions I'm hoping you can help me out with:

1) We leave it plugged in all the time. Propane is turned on, Inverter switch is off, battery switch is in the "use" position. Is this ok?
2) Someone mentioned in passing to make sure my batteries had water. Does anyone have experience with this? Do I just do a visual check?
3) I open the windows/door/fans at least every other day for a while. Is that good or bad?
4) The refrigerator is always on - does anyone have thoughts on that? Is it ok?
5) I'm parked on asphalt. Does anyone have any thoughts on that? Should I park on gravel or should I put wood under the tires? Should I be covering the tires when it's in my yard?
6) I don't keep the awnings open. Should I open them periodically?

Thanks everyone!
Jaime

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by jck_dmb

1) We leave it plugged in all the time. Propane is turned on, Inverter switch is off, battery switch is in the "use" position. Is this ok?

As long as you don't overcharge the house batteries, it should be okay. However, if you're not using propane-fueled appliances, better to shut off the propane. Can't leak if it's not turned on.

2) Someone mentioned in passing to make sure my batteries had water. Does anyone have experience with this? Do I just do a visual check?

A visual check is usually enough. If the fluid level is low, add distilled water, not tap water to top them off. If you want to be more proactive, invest in a hydrometer to check the specific gravity of the liquid; that's the best way to test a wet cell battery's state of charge without disconnecting it and putting a multimeter on it.

3) I open the windows/door/fans at least every other day for a while. Is that good or bad?

Ventilation is always good, and more ventilation is usually better.

5) I'm parked on asphalt. Does anyone have any thoughts on that? Should I park on gravel or should I put wood under the tires? Should I be covering the tires when it's in my yard?

Your tires will develop flat spots over time for sitting in one place without rolling, but those usually go away in a few miles once you start towing again. Just make sure they're fully inflated. Covering the tires to prevent UV degradation is probably a good idea. When tires roll, they flex, and volatile rubber compounds inside the rubber are squeezed out to the surface of the tire to replace what evaporates out. But tires that sit in the sun without rolling will lose volatile compounds to evaporation, which leads to "dry rot" over time. Minimizing UV exposure by putting on covers will slow the process.

6) I don't keep the awnings open. Should I open them periodically?

The awning fabric will be better if you leave the awnings rolled up and inside their covers. But you should still open and close them from time to time to make sure all of the moving parts move the way they're supposed to, and so you can lubricate when and where necessary.

[jck_dmb]

Thank you! This is so helpful. I appreciate you taking the time to help. Jaime