How Do We Winterize Our Motorhomes?

<h1>How Do We Winterize Our Motorhomes?</h1>Author: <a title="Jim Reeves" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/jim-reeves/123793.htm">Jim Reeves</a> It is time to winterize our rigs again! It may be that all you are concerned with is simply keeping your rig from freezing, or you may want to drive it during the cold winter season. There may be other issues that will need addressing, and now is a good time to get it done. The modern Class C Motorhome is a very complex piece of equipment. When we think about the issue of how we are going to winterize, we need to consider all of the various subsystems that are involved. Think about the following items when you are getting ready for the cold and freezing rain, snow, and sleet and prepare them as necessary: <ul> <li>Plumbing: <ul> <li>When we winterize, freezing water pipes, valves, and tanks are normally our major concern.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Awning: <ul> <li>You want to make sure that it is free from debris and clean on both sides. Make sure you put it away dry.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Slides: <ul> <li>If they use mechanical drive gears, grease them up. If they use a hydrolic system, wipe down the hoses. Treat the various gaskets and seals with a good conditioner so the rubber stays pliable.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Motor-generator: <ul> <li>If it is dirty, you may want to steam clean the thing. If you are using a natural petroleum product, the oil may need to be changed. It is not a good idea to put your rig away with dirty oil. Dirty oil has acids that harm the engine. </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>RV tires: <ul> <li>Clean them, treat them with a product like Aerospace 303, and keep them up off the ground. They should be on a level concrete slab or appropriate-sized pieces of wood (you do not want the tread hanging over the sides). </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Deep cycle batteries: <ul> <li>Make sure they are full of electrolyte and have clean terminals.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Here are a couple of links that will go into a bit more detail on the above topics... <ul> <li><a href="http://www.class-c-motorhome-info-made-simple.com/winterize.html">Who Needs To Winterize? </a> <ul> <li>Are you staying put or moving to a warmer climate... or maybe you want to use your rig in a colder climate? Are there critters that will want to make a home in your stored rig? Plus, what needs to be done to keep everything dry and mold free? </li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="http://www.class-c-motorhome-info-made-simple.com/winterize_3.html">How Do We Winterize?</a> <ul> <li>What do you need to do with your motor-generator, slides, tires, etc? Will they be ready for next spring?</li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="http://www.class-c-motorhome-info-made-simple.com/winterize_2.html">Winterize Our Plumbing</a> <ul> <li>It's not a good idea to leave water in your plumbing system. What is the best way to keep everything from freezing?</li> </ul> </li> It seems to me that all of the above items need a basic winterizing process to be performed. If not, you may be faced with some surprises next spring. This is not necessarily a time consuming task, but you will want to get out and look things over. Remember, preventive maintenance will go a long way toward having a stress free motorhome lifestyle next spring and summer. </ul>About the Author: My name is Jim, and I retired from the Department of Defense in the year 2000 due to base closure.

I was an engineering technician working at McClellan AFB, and way back when, the Sacramento Army Depot. My job was, simply put, to do whatever had to be done.

It encompassed a broad spectrum of activity ranging from writing technical procedures to reverse engineering repair processes and writing/verifying MIL STDs (Military Standards) for various military applications and test equipment.

I am developing a web site that will profile the recreational opportunities in Northern CA.

Stage 1 encompasses a general overview of RV’ing basics that relates to accessories and weight issues.

Stage 2 will be discussing repair projects on my Class C.

Stage 3 will be specific information about prime RV destinations in the Northern CA. area.Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/rvs-articles/how-do-we-winterize-our-motorhomes-1279545.html" title="How Do We Winterize Our Motorhomes?">How Do We Winterize Our Motorhomes?</a>

It is time to winterize our rigs again! It may be that all you are concerned with is simply keeping your rig from freezing, or you may want to drive it during the cold winter season. There may be other issues that will need addressing, and now is a good time to get it done.

The modern Class C Motorhome is a very complex piece of equipment. When we think about the issue of how we are going to winterize, we need to consider all of the various subsystems that are involved.

Think about the following items when you are getting ready for the cold and freezing rain, snow, and sleet and prepare them as necessary:

Plumbing:
- When we winterize, freezing water pipes, valves, and tanks are normally our major concern.

Awning:
- You want to make sure that it is free from debris and clean on both sides. Make sure you put it away dry.

Slides:
- If they use mechanical drive gears, grease them up. If they use a hydrolic system, wipe down the hoses. Treat the various gaskets and seals with a good conditioner so the rubber stays pliable.

Motor-generator:
- If it is dirty, you may want to steam clean the thing. If you are using a natural petroleum product, the oil may need to be changed. It is not a good idea to put your rig away with dirty oil. Dirty oil has acids that harm the engine.

RV tires:
- Clean them, treat them with a product like Aerospace 303, and keep them up off the ground. They should be on a level concrete slab or appropriate-sized pieces of wood (you do not want the tread hanging over the sides).

Deep cycle batteries:
- Make sure they are full of electrolyte and have clean terminals.

Here are a couple of links that will go into a bit more detail on the above topics...

Who Needs To Winterize?
- Are you staying put or moving to a warmer climate... or maybe you want to use your rig in a colder climate? Are there critters that will want to make a home in your stored rig? Plus, what needs to be done to keep everything dry and mold free?
How Do We Winterize?
- What do you need to do with your motor-generator, slides, tires, etc? Will they be ready for next spring?
Winterize Our Plumbing
- It's not a good idea to leave water in your plumbing system. What is the best way to keep everything from freezing?

It seems to me that all of the above items need a basic winterizing process to be performed. If not, you may be faced with some surprises next spring. This is not necessarily a time consuming task, but you will want to get out and look things over.

Remember, preventive maintenance will go a long way toward having a stress free motorhome lifestyle next spring and summer.

My name is Jim, and I retired from the Department of Defense in the year 2000 due to base closure. I was an engineering technician working at McClellan AFB, and way back when, the Sacramento Army Depot. My job was, simply put, to do whatever had to be done. It encompassed a broad spectrum of activity ranging from writing technical procedures to reverse engineering repair processes and writing/verifying MIL STDs (Military Standards) for various military applications and test equipment. I am developing a web site that will profile the recreational opportunities in Northern CA. Stage 1 encompasses a general overview of RV’ing basics that relates to accessories and weight issues. Stage 2 will be discussing repair projects on my Class C. Stage 3 will be specific information about prime RV destinations in the Northern CA. area.

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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/rvs-articles/how-do-we-winterize-our-motorhomes-1279545.html

Article Tags: Winterize, Class C Motorhome, Deep Cycle Batteries, RV Tires

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