Posted by Claire 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 Claire 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 Claire 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.
Posted by Claire on Apr 11, 2011
Cleaning and repairing the exterior of your RV every spring and fall will keep your RV looking good while protecting the investment you made when you purchased your motorhome or travel trailer online. Spending a few hours on cleaning and maintenance chores now ensures a problem-free travel season this summer.
Keep your pad of paper and pen handy for jotting down maintenance and repair chores as you find them. To clean your RV, start at the roof and work your way down. This will prevent areas that have just been cleaned from being dirtied again. To save time and elbow grease, consider taking your RV to a do-it-yourself truck or car wash. The pressurized power sprayers at these facilities quickly cut through and wash away dirt and grime. Make sure you take advantage of the liquid wax application to protect your RV’s exterior surface. If you wash your RV at home, use automotive cleaning products that are formulated to protect vehicle finishes. Do not use dish soap as it can harm the finish of your RV.
> Start by sweeping, then washing and hosing off the roof. If your RV sits outside during the winter, sweep off dead leaves and debris. Carefully inspect the roof for signs of water damage and seals for cracks or holes. Repair and recaulk as necessary.
> Use a high-pressure washer to clean excess oil and road grime off the engine and generator to keep odors and potential fire hazards under control.
More exterior cleaning tips next time
Posted by Claire on Apr 08, 2011
Grab your favorite cleaning products; it’s time to tackle the kitchen of your RV as we continue our RV spring cleaning checklist (see our previous post). Remember to keep your to-do list handy for jotting down repair chores as you discover them. As you go through each cupboard, you’ll also want to make up a shopping list of items to be replaced or restocked.
> Empty and wipe out every cupboard and shelf. As you replace items, toss out any food that is past its expiration date, is stale or shows signs of bug infestation, particularly grain, flour and pasta products. Be realistic. If your family didn’t eat that can of beets last summer, they’re not going to eat it this summer. Donate it to the food pantry.
> Empty and wipe down every shelf and drawer in the refrigerator and freezer. If you’re a full-timer, check food items for expirations dates, toss questionable leftovers and get rid of things you don’t use. If you’re a part-time RVer, you should have emptied and cleaned your fridge last fall. Make a list of staples to restock.
> A note about restocking: Space is at a premium in an RV. Only stock staples you use regularly. Be selective about the condiments, spices, paper products and storage containers you keep on hand. To save space, only stock the items you use on a regular basis and buy smaller quantities. This will free up storage space and ensure that food items are fresh.
Posted by Claire on Apr 06, 2011
Spring is here and America’s scenic highways are beckoning RV travelers. Whether you’re a full-time RVer or a weekender, giving your rig a thorough spring cleaning and maintenance check will protect your RV investment and ensure safe and problem-free travels this summer. So break out the buckets and sponges and grab your toolkit and get started!
Give your RV a thorough inspection and a good scrubbing inside and out. Keep a notepad handy to jot down repair and replacement items as you discover them. Inside, start at one end of your RV and work your way systematically from room to room.
> Throughout your RV: wash dust and grime off the walls; wipe down window shades and blinds; wash windows; and launder curtains, bedspreads and furniture covers.
> Throughout your RV: vacuum thoroughly, moving furniture to sweep up accumulated dust bunnies; mop floors; rent a carpet cleaner from the home store and shampoo carpeting.
> In the bedrooms, empty the closets and clean the floors and corners. Get rid of things you don’t wear or don’t use – especially clothing and toys your kids have outgrown — to free up precious storage space (and make room for new purchases).
> In the bathroom, attack and eradicate mildew and soap scum. Check caulking around the toilet, sink and shower and recaulk as necessary. Clear out old cosmetics, outdated medicine, shampoo no one likes, raggedy towels, stained washcloths, etc.
Next time: Kitchen clean up
Posted by Nancy on Jan 24, 2011
Taking the time to carefully winterize your RV will make things go more smoothly in the spring and extend the life of your vehicle. Even though winter is nearly over your RV can still benefit from these tips if you forgot earlier.
Tires
If your RV is parked on an unpaved surface, you can put flat concrete blocks under the tires. This will prevent the tires from sinking into the ground when the soil gets soft
after things warm up as spring approaches.
Moisture
Some owners like to cover an RV in a tarp with the idea that this will keep snow and water out. This does not prevent water from getting in underneath the tarp. If you must cover your unit, choose a material that “breathes.” Otherwise the moisture that gets in can cause mold and/or mildew.
You can purchase a product that is designed to control moisture and leave it inside your RV during the winter months. They usually come inside containers that are designed to take in moisture from the air, while at the same time not letting that water drain or cause stains.
Propane
Those of you who remove propane tanks will want to be sure to close the outside line. You can also wrap the burners on the stove in plastic, using tape or something else to close them around the line. The chemical in propane that allows us to smell it is enticing to spiders and you do not want to find that they are nesting areas that are sources of propane when you open up your RV in the springtime.
Posted by on Nov 19, 2010
Winterizing your RV instantly brings to mind the chore of tediously removing or treating fluid from water heaters, storage tanks and septic systems. But preparing for potential winter pests, like mice and rats, is another key step in proper maintenance and storage of your RV.
The alternative to preparing for these winter guests is opening your camper door in the spring to discover droppings and chewed up curtains and seat cushions. That’s no way to start a travel season!
Take the time before it gets too cold to inspect your RV. Any small hole is a potential entry point for rodents and other pests, so grab a flashlight and take a good look at the underside of your RV where you can, using aluminum foil, steel mesh, or any other rust proof material to stuff holes bigger than your smallest finger. Do the same inspection inside checking on drawers in the kitchen and bedroom – any small hole is a place where a mouse, rat or other critter can chew their way in or make into a cozy nest.
Of course removing all food from an RV is standard procedure during the winter. But take the time to do a thorough scrub down as well – you’d be surprised how alluring the tiniest crumb is to a winter starved critter. Don’t forget to defrost your freezer and clean the refrigerator, put a box of baking soda in there to keep odors at bay. Opening all the cabinets will keep things fresh, and a few mothballs or dryer sheets will also deter mice.
Taking the time now to clean and repair any holes or cracks now will go a long way towards a quick start in the spring when you are ready to travel again.
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