Should You Leave RV Storage Vents Open or Closed?

[Duner733]

Our Trailer is stored at a non climate controlled but enclosed pole barn.
Looking for opinions on leaving the vents open or such?
Open Vent?
Closed Vent?
Open just a bit?

 

[Derby6]

I leave sealed up. You will get lots of dirt and dust and an want to keep it outside.
Mine is not enclosed (open front covered storage)so wind effects more but still would seal unit up.

 

[Duner733]

I leave sealed up. You will get lots of dirt and dust and an want to keep it outside.
Mine is not enclosed (open front covered storage)so wind effects more but still would seal unit up.

I do currently leave them closed. But I have heard others in my position leave them open a bit to cut down on the air getting stale. I may try it open just a bit one time but we shall see what the troops are doing.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

In a dry climate you can probably leave them closed, but in more humid areas ventilation is a big plus.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

If there's shore power a room air cleaner can be an option. When mine is winterized I have one that runs a few hours a day. No humidity issues here but it seems to help with stale air without leaving a window or vent open.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Edd505]

I have cover storage and leave vents open in the desert SW. Dust is easy to remove and it stays fresh inside. I'm near Mark B. and during the winder I keep a small heater inside even with it winterized.

 

[Laura & Charles]

@Gary RV_Wizard is right.. the answer(s) can’t mean much until the ambient temp and humidity is known. If it’s around Columbia, IL, I would think closed up tight in summer (maybe some Damp Rid buckets?).. and maybe vents opened just a bit in winter.

Full disclosure: We’ve continuously full timed since June, 2016 (so nearly ten years), and have never winterized or stored our RV. Any advice I offer on this topic is based on what I’ve learned here (or maybe my own common sense).

 

[Duner733]

I appreciate all the comments.
I did visit my unit earlier today and it survived just fine. So keeping the vents closed going forward.
I do have 3 smaller damp rids in the unit that are only supposed to last 3 months? But everything good and no damp odors.

 

[Rene T]

I would leave them open . I would also put in some vent covers like the MAXAIR. I had them and left my vents opened all the time. 6 months in NH and 6 months in FL even while traveling even if it was raining. They would work great for you especially where you have a enclosed poll barn.you could even crack a couple of windows

 

[Derby6]

I would leave them open . I would also put in some vent covers like the MAXAIR. I had them and left my vents opened all the time. 6 months in NH and 6 months in FL even while traveling even if it was raining. They would work great for you especially where you have a enclosed poll barn.you could even crack a couple of windows

Rene—Respectfully disagree. NH and FL are not comparable to Southwest desert environments. I have Maxxair vents with covers. I have to remove covers after 8-10 month in covered storage to wipe off the dirt/dust. Moisture / humidity is not an issue at all in the SW My first year where I had only top cover I actually left two 2 1/2 gallon buckets 1/2-3/4 full of water to add moisture. 6 months later both buckets were bone dry.

 

[Rene T]

Rene—Respectfully disagree. NH and FL are not comparable to Southwest desert environments. I have Maxxair vents with covers. I have to remove covers after 8-10 month in covered storage to wipe off the dirt/dust. Moisture / humidity is not an issue at all in the SW My first year where I had only top cover I actually left two 2 1/2 gallon buckets 1/2-3/4 full of water to add moisture. 6 months later both buckets were bone dry.

Works for me. I think I would still leave them open maybe an inch just to let a little air go in. Maybe not. Let’s see what others say.
The OP did say he stores it in an enclosed pole barn. That’s telling me that it’s out of the wind and dust for the most part

 

[TheBar]

Where I live rodents and insects like Asian lady bugs and carpenter ants are a problem even in the winter. I have to leave it closed up with mothballs inside to keep the pests out. It does smell when first opened up but driving with the windows open quickly clears it out.

 

[mnmnutswer]

We crack ours, plus have a small fan running 24/7 to keep air moving. Of course ours is plugged into 100amp pedestal right beside the house..

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

My rig sits in my driveway for at least 4 months of winter every year in WNY State and I leave the vent with the max air cover over it open about a quarter way.

On days that the sun shines, rarely, and temps go into the high 30's or more I'll open the door for a few hours to let fresh air in.