Posted by Ashley Gannon on Nov 21, 2011
You’ve cleaned your RV’s interior and prepped the water system (see our previous 2 posts); now you’re ready to finish winterizing your RV.
5. To prevent sun damage to the interior, close all window coverings and cover the windshield.
6. Disconnect and remove the battery. Store it in a warm environment such as your basement as opposed to your garage where freezing temperatures could damage it.
7. Clean and wax the exterior to protect it from dirt and corrosion.
8. Take your rig to an RV dealer or RV service center for routine maintenance — oil change, chassis lube, etc. — or perform these chores yourself. If you add water to the engine coolant and will be storing your RV where it will be exposed to freezing temperatures, you may want to have the coolant system flushed and filled with undiluted coolant to protect your rig’s drive train over the winter.
9. Properly inflate the tires to help prevent the development of flat spots, weak spots or sidewall cracks.
10. Cover your RV to protect it from the elements. Even if storing your RV indoors, covering it will protect it from dust. Purchase an RV cover designed for your specific model to prevent damage from chaffing and rubbing.
11. If possible, store your RV indoors in a heated garage or building. If storing outdoors, park your RV on a paved surface to avoid the moisture accumulation that can occur when parking on the ground.
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Nov 18, 2011
Today we continue our checklist for winterizing your RV.
4. Prepping the water system is the biggest and most important job when winterizing your RV.
- Drain the fresh water tank first. Then drain and clean the gray and black holding tanks. Give the termination values a lubricating shot of WD 40.
- Disconnect the outside water source. Remove or by-pass inline or under-the-sink water filters and install a water heater by-pass.
- To drain the water lines, open the petcock, all faucets and valves inside and out; flush the toilet. Turn on the electric water pump to finish draining the system. Close all faucets and drains.
- Open the drain plug and drain the hot water tank. (Do not do empty the hot water heater when the tank is hot or pressurized.) Leave the drain plug until spring.
- Attach a blow-out plug to the water intake, connect to an air compressor and blow out remaining water until only air comes out of the faucets. Close the petcock and all faucets and valves.
- Install a water pump converter kit and start pumping RV antifreeze into the system. Beginning with the kitchen hot water faucet, open each faucet one at a time and pump until the antifreeze turns pink. Close the faucet before opening the next one.
- Pour a minimum of 2 pints of antifreeze into every drain and toilet. Leave antifreeze in water lines until spring.
To be continued
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Nov 16, 2011
RVs are made for year-round use. Modern building materials and insulation techniques make RV living and traveling comfortable year-round, even in cold and snowy states and provinces. But work, school and activity schedules limit many RVing families primarily to summer use of their motorhome or travel trailer. If you won’t be using your RV during the cold, winter months, you shouldn’t just park it in the garage or backyard and leave it until spring. Taking time to properly winterize your RV will extend its life and value and ensure that it’s ready to roll next spring.
Checklist for winterizing your RV:
1. Gather the supplies you’ll need: tool kit, interior and exterior cleaning supplies, car wax, 2-3 gallons of non-toxic RV antifreeze (sold at RV dealers and service centers), tank wand, water pump converter kit, water heater by-pass kit.
2. Divide and conquer. Gather up the family, turn on some tunes and get to work. If one crew starts inside; the other, outside; you can finish the job in a couple of hours.
3. Before you winterize the water system, clean the interior. Remove clothing, linens and personal items. Any items you keep in your RV should be cleaned and stored in plastic bags or tubs to protect them from dust, mildew and stray critters and insects. Remove all drugs and toiletries from the bathroom and all food items (even dry goods and canned food) from the kitchen. They can be an insect and mouse magnet.
Continued next time
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Nov 14, 2011
There’s good new and bad news on the U.S. job front. The good news is that employment has been slowly but steadily increasing over the past 12 months with an average 125,000 workers going back to work each month. The bad news is that the national unemployment rate remains high, 9% at the end of October according to the U.S. Department of Labor. There are still 13.9 million Americans out of work and looking for jobs. RVT.com wants to help change that with our NEW RV Employment page.
In launching RVT.com’s NEW RV Employment page, our goal is to bring together RV industry employers and experienced RV workers so they can help each other and, together, move the RV industry forward. Posting job openings on RVT.com — at a cost of just $49 for 30 days – allows RV employers to quickly target workers experienced in the RV industry. Job postings on RVT.com will be seen by thousands of dedicated RVers every day which makes RVT.com the perfect job posting site for RV dealers, RV manufacturers, RV suppliers, RV service providers and seasonal employers looking for experienced RV work campers.
Dedicated to jobs in the RV industry, RVT.com’s NEW RV Employment page provides unemployed workers with an excellent job search site focused on the RV jobs they’re looking for. To post a job or look for a job, visit RVT.com’s RV Employment page today (find a link in the left-hand sidebar on our homepage).
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Oct 05, 2011
Using the right tools can make fast work of cleaning the exterior of your RV. Including exterior cleaning in your regular RV maintenance schedule will extend the life of your RV and maintain its resale value. To avoid damaging the exterior finish of your RV, remember to only use RV cleaning [http://www.rvt.com/discount-rv-store.php?pos=left_margin] products and tools specifically formulated for cleaning RV exteriors. (See our previous post for more tips and suggesting cleaning schedules.)
> A portable pressure washer can make quick work of exterior cleaning. Start at the roof and work your way down. Adjust the spray nozzle as needed. Use a firm spray to remove tree sap, road tar and squashed bugs and a lighter spray over decals and for a final rinse. Pressure washers can be used without cleaning products for a quick wash after a trip; but you should give your rig a complete cleaning using quality exterior cleaning products at least twice a year.
> Experienced RVers recommend carrying a compact, portable wet/dry vacuum cleaner onboard your rig. Handy for vacuuming window ledges, fan louvers and vent covers when performing exterior maintenance; wet/dry vacs are also great for cleaning up spills, pet hair and tracked in dirt inside your RV.
> Before beginning exterior cleaning, invest in a wash brush with an adjustable, extendable handle that will allow you to easily access hard-to-reach areas such as the roof, undercarriage and awnings.
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Oct 03, 2011
Constant travel takes a toll on the exterior of your RV. Sun, dust, bird droppings, insect splatters, tree sap and road grime can damage your RV’s exterior if not periodically removed. To protect your RV investment, exterior cleaning should be part of your regular RV maintenance routine. Ideally, you should clean the exterior of your RV after every major road trip. If you primarily use your RV on weekends, exterior cleaning should be performed at least every fall before covering your rig or putting it in storage and every spring before taking it on the road. If you use your RV year-round, experts recommend exterior cleaning at least every 3 months to extend the life of your rig and protect its resale value.
Cleaning the exterior of your RV may not be your favorite chore, but cleaning products specifically formulated to clean RV exteriors and a few tricks from RV detailing experts can make quick work of this seasonal chore.
> Use only cleaners specifically formulated to clean RV exteriors. (Click here for discounts on RV cleaning supplies.) Never use dish soap or harsh detergents to clean the exterior of your RV as these can damage the finish.
> Use only soft cotton cleaning cloths, wash brushes made to clean RVs or soft chamois to wash the exterior of your RV. Microfiber cloths are popular today and may feel soft but are actually made of tough, plastic-like polyester fibers that can damage exterior finishes and sealants.
More cleaning tips next time
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Apr 25, 2011
Before you hit the highways this spring, you should give your RV a thorough maintenance inspection and make any necessary repairs. To avoid trouble on the road, RV owners should re-inspect their RV periodically and before any extensive trip.
RV Pre-trip Checklist
> Belts and hoses (check for cracks and loose connections)
> Tow hitch and towing equipment
> Tire pressure and tread level
> Fire extinguishers fully charged and in place
> Smoke alarms working (change batteries in the spring and fall)
> Cooking vent hood clean to prevent grease fires
> LP gas connections (check for leaks)
> Headlights, tail lights and turn signals working
You can find helpful safety information, including tire inflation tables on the RV Safety & Education Foundation website. The foundation recommends that RV owners know the height of their vehicle and the clearance height of overpasses, bridges and tunnels on their travel route. Clearance heights are available on most state department of transportation (DOT) websites. Road atlases for RVs and semis also show clearance heights.
RVers should also know the loaded weight of their RV. The Foundation warns that exceeding the gross vehicle weight rating or gross axle weight rating can affect handling, travel trailer towing safety, braking ability, and contribute to suspension and tire failure. The Foundation offers free weighing service at rallys, shows and conferences across the country (click the link for 2011 schedule). You can also find truck scales at many RV service centers and truck stops.
Posted by Ashley Gannon on Apr 13, 2011
Today we continue our RV spring cleaning tips for maintaining the exterior of your RV in good condition. (See our previous post for more RV cleaning tips.) Maintaining the interior and exterior of your RV in good condition ensures that you’ll have a problem-free travel season and increases the resale value of your RV should you decide to sell it online down the road.
> To keep odors under control and dissolve residual solids, treat black water tanks with an enzyme-based product specifically formulated for RV maintenance. Flush the system well.
> End caps and sidewalls should be washed after you have cleaned the roof, tanks and engine. Use only automotive cleaning products and always rinse well to remove cleaning chemicals. If washing your rig at home, adding white vinegar to the wash water (1/2 cup per gallon of water) will prevent streaking and spotting as your RV dries.
> Use an automotive black streak remover to eliminate black streaks from sidewalls to prevent permanent discoloration.
> After cleaning, let your RV dry thoroughly. To protect your rig’s exterior finish from harmful oxidation, road grime and UV rays, apply a coat of liquid wax formulated for your vehicle’s particular exterior finish. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions and take extra care when waxing around decals and graphics as they can be easily damaged. Taking your RV to a truck wash takes the work out of washing and waxing chores.
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