Tech Tips

FALL TECH TIPS

FALL CAMPING SEASON IS A FANTASTIC TIME OF YEAR

When camping in the fall be sure to watch your awning with winds and heavy rains.  Don't forget to clean your awning and dry it before closing.  It is also a good thing to remove all debris from the slide out roof and topper before closing it. If closing the slide out for the season make sure you lube the rubber seals and mechanisms.  Do Not leave slide out in the open position in the winter.

BATTERIES

Check batteries to be sure they are fully charged (12.8v), do not depend on your converter only.  

If removing your batteries for the season mark polarity on the wires to prevent damage when reinstalling.  This is very important.

Make sure you charge, monitor and test your batteries throughout the winter to prevent freezing.

We do not recommend leaving the unit plugged in all the time, as this will cause batteries to overcharge (or boil over).

FURNACE

When starting the furnace up it is a good time for cleaning and gas leak testing, for that matter anytime of year is good time.  Use soapy water or sniffer, NEVER A FLAME.

Check your lp and carbon monoxide detectors. These do have expiration dates on the back side.

Vacuum  all ducts and floor registers, especially if you have pets. 

Make sure all vents and floor registers are open. If they are not this could cause furnace to overheat and/or shut down.

TIRES

We recommend that you air up all tires before using and storing. Maximum pressure is stamped on the wall of the tire.  All tires should be aired to this max pressure.  Be sure to check all your tires and valve stems for dry rot and cracking. Don't just look at the surface of the tire, look between the treads too.  When storing your RV do not use wood by the tires, the wood draws the moisture out of the tires and will dry rot them faster.

LOCKS

It is recommended to spray a little lock key lube or WD40 in all keylocks to stop corrossion.

RUBBER ROOF

While the weather is still nice, it is a good time to wash and treat the rubber roof.  Look at all vents, AC lid and seams for cracks and missing sealant.  Make proper repairs before putting away for the Season,  When you are cleaning and repairing the roof only use rubber roof products. Do not use Miracle water sealers, they will harm the rubber roof. We do not recvommend any type of paint on products for the rubber roof either.

BLACK & GRAY TANKS

You should start getting your black and gray tanks cleaned for the season.  After you empty the black and/or gray tanks you should dump a couple of cups of cheap liquid laundry soap and a gallon of bleach in the tanks add about 5 gallons of hot water, let it sit, if you can drive it around it will work even better. Dump the tanks.  This should sanitize your tank(s) along with cleaning the sensors.

AWNINGS

This is a good time to open up your awning and let it dry out before storing it away for the winter.  This is to prevent mold over the winter.  We do suggest doing this on a sunny, low wind day.

WINTERIZE TIPS

MAKE SURE YOUR UNIT IS WINTERIZED BEFORE PUTTING IT AWAY FOR THE WINTER.  ALSO TAKE ALL FOOD AND BEVERAGES OUT.

It is good to leave the dump valves open. And replace your waste valve cap with a vented waste valve cap, this will keep your tank(s) dry and odor free.  It will also prevent critters from getting into your waste tanks.

DO NOT TARP units for the winter, as this will cause wear and chaffing on the roof and seams.  We recommend that you give your unit a little tilt while storing for the winter so water an run off quickly.  Your should also check every couple of weeks for vent and seam leaks

USING IN WINTER

If using your RV during the winter to avoid any furnace issues a well charged 12v battery is a must. Just plugging into shore power may not accomplish this.

If you are using the toilet in the winter time a little bit of windshield washer solvent and rock salt in the holding tank will not harm them, if anything it will keep it liquified.

Be sure to dump winterize in all traps when you leave.

BOAT TRAILERS

It is recommended that all boat trailers do a grease and pack (a total axle service) before storing for the season.  This will get all the water out of the bearings so they don't rust.  It is also a good time to flush the hydraulic brake fluid (DOT3).