Now
that the spring thaw is putting a bee in your bonnet to hit the open road, it’s
time to prep your motorhome for summertime travels. Keep the following items on
your checklist before you set out on the first trip of the season.
7 Tips to Get Your RV Ready for Summer:
• Begin by cleaning and inspecting it from
top to bottom, noting any damage.
• Check the maintenance book and records
to determine what items were done prior to storage and what is due now.
• Set tire pressures, check the fluid
levels in the engine and genset, differential and transmission.
• Charge the batteries, clean the
terminals and check electrolyte levels.
• Flush out the freshwater and holding
tanks.
• Check the air filter and replace if needed.
• Remove any cobwebs or debris, and test
the refrigerator and water heater (more on that later).
Water
Heater
Have you changed the sacrificial anode in your coach’s water heater lately?
Winter storage, when the tank is drained, is the best time to check it. Some RV
water heaters, including Suburban-brand models, have an anode that is used up
in an electrolytic process, which prevents damage to the tank. It should be
inspected annually for deterioration.
Motorhome
owners often forget to drain and flush their water heaters.
• Remove the drain plug at the bottom of
the tank and allow any sediment to escape with the water. Some models also have
an anode rod that is part of the drain plug.
• Inspect the rod and replace it if it is
more than 75 percent depleted. Refer to the water heater’s instruction manual
for replacement details.
• Reinstall the drain plug and refill the
tank before lighting the burner.
Sanitize
Your Freshwater Tanks
Freshwater tanks should be sanitized regularly, especially in hot weather. To
freshen the water system, follow these steps:
• Fill the water tank half full.
• Add a solution of 1/4-cup household
bleach and 1 gallon of water for every 15 gallons of tank capacity.
• Open all the faucets until all air has
been bled from the system and the water coming out has the odor of the bleach
solution before shutting off the taps.
• After three to five hours, drain the
water system and refill it with fresh water
• Run water through all faucets and then
drain the system again.
Refrigerator:
Are you having on-the-road refrigerator problems?
Don’t let your food spoil in warm temperatures. Check your refer to see that it
is keeping perishable foods adequately cold. If you’re traveling and having
problems with the refrigerator in your motorhome, here’s an online source of
diagnostic information for do-it-yourselfers. Try www.rvmobile.com. This site has a large section devoted to
identifying refrigerator problems, including troubleshooting, technical info
and help for finding parts for repairs.
Batteries
Summertime temperatures result in faster water use in batteries. Water-use
depends on temperature and charging/discharging activity. The hotter it is, the
more water is needed. Also, if batteries are heavily discharged, they will use
more water during driving and charging cycles. Therefore, you need to check the
electrolyte level regularly and top off with distilled water for longest
service life.
Onboard
Generator
Make sure you don’t overlook maintenance of your onboard generator when you
take your motorhome out of storage and ready it for the upcoming season.
Gensets should have their oil and filter changed, fuel filter replaced, and air
filter checked and serviced. Check the owner’s manual for any other procedures
as well.
Keep
It Cool
Radiator hoses and other coolant hoses should be replaced about every five
years. Although they may look fine from the outside, many times they
deteriorate inside first. They can then burst without warning and if the driver
fails to notice the temperature gauge, severe engine damage may result. While
you’re at it, replace the thermostat and all hose clamps, and flush the cooling
system.
Avoid Overheating When Towing
Driving motorhomes in extreme temperatures while climbing hills and towing a
dinghy vehicle can cause overheating. Here’s a tip that may make you
uncomfortable, but could just keep your engine’s coolant from boiling. If the engine
temperature gets near the danger zone, shut off the dash air-conditioner, open
the windows and turn on the heater (not defrost, which runs the air-conditioner
compressor, too) as hot as it can go with high fan speed. This often reduces
coolant temperatures by 10 to 15 degrees. Never drive with an overheated
engine.
Fuel
System
Here’s a tip to control bacterial growth in a diesel fuel tank: Bacteria
require water and a warm temperature to thrive in a fuel tank. It is important
to identify the source of water and eliminate the source, or remove it through
dehydration by using additives. Owners should consider adding BioBor or similar
diesel-fuel additives, which are available at truck stops and auto-parts
stores.
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About: Motor Home Finders is a licensed motor home broker based in New Port Richey, Florida. Specializing in diesel, luxury motor homes and bus conversions, Motor Home Finders has 50+ years of experience in buying and selling luxury RVs nationwide. Their mission is to eliminate the difficult efforts of private sellers trying to sell their recreational vehicle by orchestrating a seamless RV transaction process. To learn more, call 1-888-783-4009 or visit Motor homeFinders.com.
