Rats! - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Problem Solving | Owners helping each other
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-29-2017, 12:25 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
Rats!

Had a check engine light come on in Bishop last week. OBD2 code indicated camshaft position sensor. In reality a wire was gnawed by a rodent.

Last January in AZ we saw signs in some campgrounds warning of rodents and to open hood slightly. Others also use a string of LED lights draped on the ground around their tow vehicle.

Although I personally don't care for exterior LED's in campgrounds I also don't want another $300 repair bill.
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 12:30 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Greg A's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
We had it happen in our driveway this year. Rats made a nest overnight in wifes car and did $2000 worth of damage. Insurance claim covered some of it, but still nasty.
The shop told us to put moth balls in the engine compartment, so I found some plastic mothball holders at Wally and zip-tied them by all the batteries in the cars. Haven't seen any of the lil critters since. I'm going to keep some under the trailers in the storage lot as well.
Greg A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 12:35 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
blhvet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Myrnam, Alberta
Trailer: 2005 Aliner, 17B due in April/17
Posts: 372
I was told to put Bounce sheets everywhere. Seems to have worked in my trailer, but not in my car.
blhvet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 12:37 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Ron in BC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
Seems like it's pretty universal. My wife's car is stored in the garage over the winter and it ended up with a nest by the heater blower motor. I couldn't even figure out how they managed to get into the duct. She was lucky, no wires were chewed on. I closed off the one possibility they had for gaining entry to the garage and nothing since. Horrible that they can cause so much damage in modern cars. Probably in the old days, not so much.

Ron
Ron in BC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 12:43 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Patandlinda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron in BC View Post
Seems like it's pretty universal. My wife's car is stored in the garage over the winter and it ended up with a nest by the heater blower motor. I couldn't even figure out how they managed to get into the duct. She was lucky, no wires were chewed on. I closed off the one possibility they had for gaining entry to the garage and nothing since. Horrible that they can cause so much damage in modern cars. Probably in the old days, not so much.

Ron
Ron they chew the wires because they think it is food . Wires are made from corn on modern cars now . Pat
Patandlinda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 12:51 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Greg A's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
Pat,
The auto shop guy mentioned that they don't eat the wiring so much in older cars, mostly the models after 2000. Guess it's the corn wiring insulation they must have started using.
Greg A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 12:54 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Patandlinda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg A View Post
Pat,
The auto shop guy mentioned that they don't eat the wiring so much in older cars, mostly the models after 2000. Guess it's the corn wiring insulation they must have started using.
Nice isn't it ? Another reason to keep my old truck . Pat
Patandlinda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 12:55 PM   #8
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Gig Harbor, Washington
Trailer: 2017 Escape 17 B
Posts: 6
FYI. Mothballs! They also get rid of Bats, used in an attic bats were gone within 24 hrs.
Pfaffy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 12:56 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Area 51, New Mexico
Trailer: pondering.....
Posts: 728
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg A View Post
Pat,
The auto shop guy mentioned that they don't eat the wiring so much in older cars, mostly the models after 2000. Guess it's the corn wiring insulation they must have started using.
well there is another thing they can get corn out of, besides the gas!
freespirit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 01:00 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
escape artist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pfaffy View Post
FYI. Mothballs! They also get rid of Bats, used in an attic bats were gone within 24 hrs.
Hi: Pfaffy... FYI... I don't like the smell of 'em either!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
escape artist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 01:07 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Patandlinda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pfaffy View Post
FYI. Mothballs! They also get rid of Bats, used in an attic bats were gone within 24 hrs.
When we had our gate opener installed , moth balls was recommended to put in housing to keep the critters out from making nests . It seems to work . Pat
Patandlinda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 01:11 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Trailer: 2015 21ft Escape "Spirit of the Plains", 2014 GMC Sierra with max tow package
Posts: 1,100
I just spent some time in the last two days repairing 5 inch holes in roofs from squirrel damage. They are starting to get out of control around here and are very destructive. And they like to chew on wiring too. Loren
Loren & Cathy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 01:16 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Greg A's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
Bats or Mothballs, Alf??
Greg A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 01:22 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Brantingham Lake, New York
Trailer: 2001 coachmen
Posts: 274
We use a product called Fresh Cab! It comes in potpourri looking satchels...smells like balsam!

Outbuildings, vehicle interior and under the hood and in our boat! Mice were LIVING in our outbuilding when we bought it! We live in the woods..

One box, 4 packets, later....no mice!

And their website will assist you if your having problems. 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Amazon and Tractor Supply......has it.
reetired is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 01:40 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Patandlinda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
Quote:
Originally Posted by reetired View Post
We use a product called Fresh Cab! It comes in potpourri looking satchels...smells like balsam!

Outbuildings, vehicle interior and under the hood and in our boat! Mice were LIVING in our outbuilding when we bought it! We live in the woods..

One box, 4 packets, later....no mice!

And their website will assist you if your having problems. 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Amazon and Tractor Supply......has it.
Wonder if this will work in back for rats going after our orange tree ? Whatever we use has to be safe for our little dogs . Murphy will eat everything . Pat
Patandlinda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 01:47 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
escape artist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patandlinda View Post
Wonder if this will work in back for rats going after our orange tree ? Whatever we use has to be safe for our little dogs . Murphy will eat everything . Pat
Hi: Patandlinda... Murphy doesn't eat everything... cause you have rats!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
escape artist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 01:50 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
escape artist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg A View Post
Bats or Mothballs, Alf??
Hi: Greg A... EITHER!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
escape artist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 01:54 PM   #18
Member
 
EscapingBuffalo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Buffalo, New York
Trailer: 2015 Escape 17B
Posts: 42
I'm currently in Sedona, heading to Phoenix tonight, first stop Walmart for mothballs, then to Harbor Freight for this: Solar Rope Light
__________________
2015 17B
2014 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab
EscapingBuffalo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 01:56 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Patandlinda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
Quote:
Originally Posted by escape artist View Post
Hi: Patandlinda... Murphy doesn't eat everything... cause you have rats!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
I know . He'd probably run if he saw one .Pat
Patandlinda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 02:00 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Greg A's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
Quote:
Originally Posted by EscapingBuffalo View Post
I'm currently in Sedona, heading to Phoenix tonight, first stop Walmart for mothballs, then to Harbor Freight for this: Solar Rope Light
Hey Buffalo,
You're going to go right by us. There is a Walmart at I-17 and Anthem Way that if it could time out for your stop there, I'll run over and say Hi!
I did go to University of Colorado, so I am actually a "Buffalo!"
Greg A is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:48 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.