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Steel Wool stuffed in spaces???
Pulled the toilet out of my LD to refurbish it, found a LOT of steel wool stuffed in the spaces behind the toilet inside the spaces for the water tubing.  That's something Ive never seen before.  Anyone have any idea why someone would do that? I was thinking maybe trying to dissuade rodents but there's no evidence of rodent invasion anywhere else....
'94 30' mid bath, second owner
btw.  toilet overhaul is easy and parts are readily available...   nice...
Time spent camping is not subtracted from your lifespan

'94 Chevy 30GP' (very Rare) 30.5' TB, converting to IB  LD
Re: Steel Wool stuffed in spaces???
Reply #1 –
I have heard of stuffing steel wool into openings where mice and other rodents sneak in, but  I have ever seen done in a LD.
With older LDs, the spot where mice commonly get in is the opening where the shore power enters the coach.

Larry

Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Steel Wool stuffed in spaces???
Reply #2 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
With older LDs, the spot where mice commonly get in is the opening where the shore power enters the coach.
Larry

Ive heard it too.   The opening where shore power goes in my LD has no route to get to the rest of the coach - it's sealed up well..    I dunno..  there was a lot of it, I saved most of it as it was still like new.
Time spent camping is not subtracted from your lifespan

'94 Chevy 30GP' (very Rare) 30.5' TB, converting to IB  LD
Re: Steel Wool stuffed in spaces???
Reply #3 –
Quote
found a LOT of steel wool stuffed in the spaces

In past rigs I used copper wool rather than steel to avoid rust. (copper wool)
jor

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09 27' MB
10  Suby Forester
Re: Steel Wool stuffed in spaces???
Reply #4 –
Quote from: jor  - 
In past rigs I used copper wool rather than steel to avoid rust.

In 30 years of LD ownership, we have never had a problem with mice. LDs are well sealed without small holes for them to squeeze through. Now, ants are a different story.
Good tip about copper wool.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Steel Wool stuffed in spaces???
Reply #5 –

Hi DesertDust;  Your '94 should have a storage location for a permanently mounted shore power cord.  My area is open at the top, so anything that can get in around the cord has full access to the insides. (when occupied by the three cats, not good for mice!)
    I have these stainless scrub pads that can be massaged to allow the shore plug to go through the center. Amazon.com: Fuller Brush Stainless Steel Scrubbing Sponges – 1-Pack (1 Set...   I place this up against the cord when the power cord is deployed. (can't be chewed, but a mouse may be able to squeeze past it without too much damage to a mouse).
That seems to work well so far.
    Thanks Jor, I might try the copper 'wool' as a more sealed approach.
    I have some idea why someone would seal off around the toilet area with steel wool. In a midbath, I remember a pic from someone whose tank had fallen out, and there was an area on top of the tank small enough for a mouse, to get up through a larger than necessary hole for the pipe going to the black tank.   RonB

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RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Steel Wool stuffed in spaces???
Reply #6 –
When I moved to the desert I had a trailer with a slide-out.  I regularly found evidence of mice, moles, lizards and other creatures that had visited.  Sold that trailer when my wife took ill, bought the LD a couple of years later as a project after she passed.  So far, zero evidence of creature visits.  It does indeed have a dedicated compartment for the cord, also has the dump valves.  It's well made and sealed but it's far too small.  I think I may have a leaky grey tank drain valve so changing that out is going to be a royal pain with so little room to work.  I do miss the ugly square bumper in the back for drain hose storage. Since the ends of my existing bumper have been tweaked, I'm considering deleting it and installing something for hose storage in it's place.
All the parts for the toilet arrived yesterday, I should have it back together today or tomorrow
Time spent camping is not subtracted from your lifespan

'94 Chevy 30GP' (very Rare) 30.5' TB, converting to IB  LD
Re: Steel Wool stuffed in spaces???
Reply #7 –
Quote from: DesertDust  - 
  I do miss the ugly square bumper in the back for drain hose storage. Since the ends of my existing bumper have been tweaked, I'm considering deleting it and installing something for hose storage in its place.

Hang a 8' long piece of 4" ABS pipe under the rear for the dump hose. Add threaded caps to the ends of the pipe.
Below is an example using 3" ABS for fishing pole storage.Fishing pole storage | Flickr

Bent ends on LD rear bumpers are common ailments. I have cut several apart to straighten the bent metal and then welded them back together. A local welding shop may be able to do this; it isn't rocket science.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Steel Wool stuffed in spaces???
Reply #8 –
Copper mesh for rodents. Cinnamon for ants.