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CURRENT FEATURE ARTICLE OF THE MONTH
Below you will find our feature article of the month. Please read and enjoy. Past articles can be found in the archive listing in the right margin.
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Praise for Car Connection
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Robert Lampman
Ontario, Canada
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| Properly Storing RV's |
2010-04-06 |
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Properly Storing RV's
Thank You for your inquiry,this is a great question by the way! Been there done that had a motor home my self eventually ended up selling it off the upkeep and maintenance was a full time job!!
The problem with RV's is this if they are not moving things are decaying rapidly, brakes,exhaust, engine,tires, interiors, accessories, wiring etc etc........... fuel
The only real way to keep RV's rolling is to keep them moving, they need to be in motion every month or stored properly in a clean dry heated facility. Personally I spent a lot of time servicing brakes, tires, and constantly rustproofing the under side to prevent rust damage it was a full time job!
I decided to sell it off and rent an RV if I wanted to go camping or traveling far cheaper than what I spent in 1 year maintaining my own RV!
Keeping rodents out was also a full time job as well, they can do a lot of expensive interior and electrical damage!!
I do not mean to deter anyone from owning an RV but I do want to prepare you for the constant repairs/ maintenance along with much TLC required constantly if you really want to have your own RV. Sitting time develops a lot of mechanical problems all by themselves over these RV things..RV's take money to buy and money to constantly maintain often spoiling the fun to own one!
Put miles on your RV every month and really drive it! Not just a short runs make them long runs, make sure the unit is put away dry!
Rust proof the unit every year with touch ups in between, spray the front brakes with Carwell or Krown for Canadians rust proofing really helps save the rotors, pads,and calipers from the rusties, tires keep them away from any light what so ever and do not park them on concrete or dirt. Put "Styrofoam SM" 2" thick foam under the tires to insulate them from the ground.(this prevents tire rot again been there done that!)Make sure all tires are inflated properly at all times even during storage!!
Keep the engine oil clean at all times,keep the fuel tanks full and treat the fuel with fuel stabilizer,"bounce" dryer sheets will help keep mice and other critters out of the interior (use the actual BOUNCE product)there is something the rodents do not like about them. I use them in my boat they work!
Spread the sheets around inside the unit and purchase mildew bags from RV dealers to prevent odors and "fungus"
Open appliances and closets and any storage units inside do not leave the doors and cupboards closed up, put Bounce sheets in the storage area's as well.Do not forget about closing down the water and toilet facilities properly with RV antifreeze!!Remove any bedding,blankets Etc...leave NO Food behind!!
Keep the battery/ batteries maintained and fully charged always,Note:alternators are not battery chargers! Use a slow/ trickle charger to maintain the battery/batteries properly. Change engine coolant Ever Year and Transmission Fluid Too!
RV's equipped with engines: when parked long term (month or so) Seal off the intake manifold and plug the tailpipe with an oily rag this will keep moisture from entering the engine through the exhaust system causing rusted valves and pistons etc... Moisture kills engines on boats and RV's all the time. Place a note on the steering wheel to remind you you have sealed the intake on the engine and plugged the tailpipe!!! We can tend to forget we have done this procedure but this procedure is soooo important to long engine life!!
RV's and boats can be a lot of fun but please be prepared to take on the up keep and maintenance they constantly require! Many boats and RV's become junk long before their time the main reason/reasons once the novelty wears off and the scope of what it really takes to look after them properly kicks into high gear people lose interest very fast!Boats and RV's love money and need it spending on them all the time! Be prepared to commit time and money all the time!!
Happy Trails My Friends drive safe and have FUN on the water and on our roadways!!
Blessings & Keep Smiling My Friends,
Nile Motormouth Jenkins & Axel out.............
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