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Zstream · 09-02-2008, 12:46 PM

My hitch is composed of what I was told is box channel. It is open at the hitch and allows for mice to enter the frame area under the subfloor in the trailer.

Does anyone know of a way to plug this entrance?

One side will have my plug for running lights- but wonder if I can spray some sort of expanding sealer in the tube to block varmants? Please let me know if you have figured out a way to block this entrance?

Tks, Z

tphan · 09-02-2008, 01:15 PM

yeah- you could spray in some expanding foam, or fit a piece of screen over the opening, to keep the mice from getting in there. Check the back end of the rails too. Once in the belly pan area, there's all kinds of access holes into the interior. Mine were getting in from the plumbing access area, by the fresh water tank. Good luck!

HowieE · 09-02-2008, 01:19 PM

Yes the frame is hollow but there should not be any hole from the frame to the subfloor. The floor is screwed to the frame and no reason for any other passage between them.

If you have mice in the trailer I would look for another path. There are large holes around the plumbing that goes from above to below the floor.

tphan · 09-02-2008, 01:32 PM

Don't know how it is on a '91 or a '63, but on my '72 there most definitely are holes (like 3" diameter) on the sides of the main frame channels (for lightening?) allowing EASY access into the belly area.

kstampa · 09-02-2008, 01:33 PM

foam is just fun for mice. steel wool is a great void filler. you could sandwich the wool between foam fill to keep it in place. Got thick w/ the steel wool.

Zstream · 09-02-2008, 01:41 PM

Thanks for the info. My trailer is gutted...that said... If a mouse enters the box channel hitch entrance at the ball area of the hitch...he can walk straight back into the trailer...as the channel is wide open. From there mice would be able to move about freely in the space between the belly pan and the subfloor. Looking for a way to block the channel space. FYI- had a similar entrance in the rear cargo/bumper area but a welder was able to block off that entrance after I redesigned the rear cargo box.

overlander64 · 09-02-2008, 01:45 PM

Another reason to plug the opening is that wasps, mud daubers, or bees may also discover this access and decide that it would make a wonderful new home. I had overlooked checking the material stuffed in that opening and had bees trying to establish a nest/hive in the underbelly. I didn't block the opening before departing on my trip to International, and somewhere along the road, a small brown squirrel decided that it made a nice home and couldn't be coaxed to leave the security of the underbelly until we were in Yellowstone -- the squirrel thrashed around in the underbelly of the Minuet immediately under my bed for three nights. My fall project is to do my best to premanently block these two openings and get the hitch painted in its original burnt orange.

Kevin

pmclemore · 09-03-2008, 10:51 AM

I would use aluminum screen - scrunch a square into a ball and stuff it in. I would not bother with steel wool.

Pat

tphan · 09-03-2008, 01:37 PM

Here's a pic of what the frame of a '72 looks like, complete with holes. The smaller hole you see is at the end of the Y-frame coming from the hitch, and is larger than a mouse. The larger holes are in the main frame, under the kitchen area. At least one of them is in the plumbing well, inside the kitchen cabinet, in the box the fresh water tank sits in. Very easy access from open frame under hitch to interior of coach- at least in the '72 models.