3120RL Rat proofing undercarriage - Montana Owners Club

imolared · 09-18-2018, 10:40 PM

We are fortunate to have covered storage. Unfortunately it is adjacent to open space and national forest. We get pack rats and mice.
With the new 5th wheel I spent a day covering all the access holes I could find. I used 1/4" contractors fabric (wire screen), electrical clay for plugging ends of conduit and expand-foam.
The photos start at the tank drain and go around to the steps.
I think I got all the openings. PLEASE let me know if you see I missed one.

thanks,

rohrmann · 09-18-2018, 11:03 PM

A couple of things. One, where your water hose enters the rig, what are you doing there to prevent entry? The second thing, which in reality, you probably can't do anything about, is at the ends of the slides, when out, where the carpet covers the opening, when you lift the carpet you can see outside, and I'm pretty sure there will be access when the slides are in. Third thing, if you have folding steps, unless you remove the step assembly, there are access points adjacent to the sides of the steps, up high, that you may not be able to see, not sure what there will be with the new rigid steps. Good luck, and we have only had critters a couple times in the past six years.

Eagleback · 09-19-2018, 05:20 AM

I placed hardware cloth across the bottom under the lp tanks to keep them from jumping up and into the lp tank area and into the front end.

Mikendebbie · 09-19-2018, 05:30 AM

Also look at the tree limbs near the RV. This weekend I took the dogs out to potty just before we hit the rack and I heard something rustling around on the porch metal roof. Got my ladder and flashlight out and saw a fat one crouching under an eave. With a hoe in hand I pursued him. He ran to the edge of the roof and jumped like Spider-Man to a tree limb that was a good 24” away from the roof. The next day I cut my limbs way back away from the roof to cut off access.

Take a hard look at the tree limbs near your RV. Rats are very athletic!

mazboy · 09-19-2018, 07:08 AM

well, it kept you out of your wife's hair for the day. but....

mice will always find a way to get into your trailer...always.

beeje · 09-20-2018, 02:13 PM

I agree with mazboy. If they want in they are going to find a way to get there. Fortunately mine is stored in pole barn which greatly minimizes the chance of them getting it. Even with that being said, I have had mice get it. Maybe they got in from a trip somewhere and I just hauled them home ?

Couple dozen traps set in the camper took care of them in short order.