Rodent entry points

[Collector67]

Hi all
We are looking to pick up our 2026 Delta 252Rl in the next few weeks, and I wondering if owners have discovered a common entry point for mice? Our last unit was a 2017 Grand Design 2500 RL and the little buggers would get in through the corners of the slide out due to the idiotic Schwintech system. I would pack steel wool into the gaps, but that was messy and caused rust stains on the seals and plastic corners. I am talking storage time and not actual camping, as I know the rack and pinion system has its own entry points for vermin, and I am taking steps to prevent that. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[George]

Don't leave your 7-way hanging to the ground. Once in the pin box it's a clear path to at least the front compartment.

 

[KCAlis]

To further George’s solution, pick up some of the rodent-proofing expanding spray foam and spray it in the hole(s) inside and at the top of the pin box. We had finches nesting inside our front cap even while we full-timed in it!

 

[Petem5000]

Hello. I have the same issue with finches nesting in my front cap where they entered in the pin box and I can’t reach up inside to remove it. How did you access and remove the nest?

 

[KCAlis]

Hello. I have the same issue with finches nesting in my front cap where they entered in the pin box and I can’t reach up inside to remove it. How did you access and remove the nest?

The nest’s still there. Figured the cure would be worse than the problem. Haven’t had any mites…yet! 😳

 

[Psalgado]

2nd on the spray foam. We keep our trailer in the same place, every year. Visit every other week, and don’t keep food or even seasonings in our unit. With our Winnebago Micro Minnie we used fresh cab in all openings into the cabin and the underbelly was sealed tight from the factory, had her for 6 years and never had a problem with rodents. We now have 2026 Alliance Delta 274rkw for about a year now. This summer we found rodent in our furnace ducts. We have discovered there were several large gaps in the underbelly of our Alliance that were left open from the factory. Spray foam every opening you can, as soon as you can. Of course, watching for any areas that need to be open for drainage or mechanical movement. We only caught one mouse outside the furnace, after we spray foamed all the openings in the belly, never had another. Notably odd that there was only one. We need to replace the 5 furnace ducts due to finding nesting/other debris. 2 of the ducts run under the floor and the other 3 throughout the cabin. No other damage discovered…yet. The underbelly on our Delta is completely riveted to the frame on the bottom, no screws, only way to access is to drill out each rivet and replace the underbelly. According to dealer, they also need to open up the walls to get the other ducts replaced. Anticipated cost, $12,000! Additionally, found gaps under the service panels in the cargo bay that lead into the cabin that could have been part of the problem. So get under your carriage when it’s brand new, check every nook and cranny, spray foam any gaps, use fresh cab in the cubbies and electrical/plumbing pass throughs, it really does work well, and perhaps use lights underneath your trailer at night. We are obviously learning all the time and frustrated with ourselves for not checking better from the start and the fact that this type of problem is not addressed better from the industry considering the use. Nothing is pest proof but there has to be a better way to evaluate/advise/assist owners how to address/build better from the start.


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[johnm]

Hi all
We are looking to pick up our 2026 Delta 252Rl in the next few weeks, and I wondering if owners have discovered a common entry point for mice? Our last unit was a 2017 Grand Design 2500 RL and the little buggers would get in through the corners of the slide out due to the idiotic Schwintech system. I would pack steel wool into the gaps, but that was messy and caused rust stains on the seals and plastic corners. I am talking storage time and not actual camping, as I know the rack and pinion system has its own entry points for vermin, and I am taking steps to prevent that. Any advice would be appreciated!

Not sure on your rig, but we had a problems with bird mites infecting our old trailer. Come to find out a starling had nested in the tubular frame underneath and I ended up screening in the holes (4 ) along the frame. I assume these holes were for wiring and about 2 inches in diameter. I didnt want to use foam as they might have had another purpose...
BTW - any ground walking bird could carry these mites, so a robin could also cause problems as we have had those nest in the hitch.
I set off 10 aerosol bombs over a period of 8 days to no avail. I then sprayed where I thought they were entering... (a water based bifenthrin) and that seemed to work. We had literally tens of thousands of them and you wont see them in carpeting or linen...

 

[Jwtsg]

For your consideration,,,If your rig is a 5th wheel you need to seal around your trailer hitch to under side of thr front frame cantilever,,,keep birds, etc from nesting in the frame voids,,,saw that as a tip over the time we were researching 5th wheels,,,👍🌞🍀!

 

[Fishfnatic]

I used pool noodles in gap on hitch at cap. Kept having birds make nest in fifth wheel compartment. Put one of those mice deterrent packs in area and they stopped.

 

[Midnight Rider]

Keep a mouse trap loaded in pass through and on the other side of the intake grate under your steps inside.
check it once a week.you don’t want so much bait you attract mice in. But if one gets in you want him to find your trap.