Preparing The Motor Home For; Long~Erm Storage; Storage Check List; Short-Term Storage (Less Than 60 Days) Above Freezing - Fleetwood 1990 Owner's Manual

PREPARING THE MOTOR HOME
FOR LONG-TERM STORAGE
STORAGE CHECK LIST
The following check lists will help you perform the
steps necessary to prepare your motor home for
storage. Storage conditions vary, and several check
lists are provided: a) Short-term Storage Above Freez-
ing, b) Long-term Storage Above Freezing,
cl Winter Storage Below Freezing. Use the check list
that applies to the storage conditions you anticipate.
These check lists can not include every detail required
and you may want to expand them to suit your needs.
Short-term Storage (less than
60
days)
Above Freezing
*
Wash the motor home exterior and underside. Hose
off accumulations of mud and road salts. Rinse
the exterior weekly to remove accumulations of
dust and debris.
*
Inflate tires to maximum rated cold pressure.
*
Park the motor home as level as possible front to
rear and side to side. Block wheels front and rear,
and leave the parking brake OFF.
*
Check the charge in both the vehicle and auxiliary
batteries with a hydrometer. Hydrometer reading
should be 1.255. Add colorless, odorless drinking
water if necessary, and charge to a reading of
1.255.
* Remove battery cables. Clean terminals, top and
sides of batteries and battery boxes .
• Drain holding tanks, toilet, and living area water
systems. Turn off water pump and water heater
master switches.
*
Turn off LP gas at tank valve.
*
Turn off refrigerator and furnace.
*
Turn all range and oven burner valves and pilot
valves (if equipped) off.
* Remove all perishables from refrigerator and galley
cabinets. Block refrigerator open to reduce odor
buildup. An open box or tray of baking soda in the
refrigerator will help absorb odors.
*
Open closet doors, drawers, and cabinets so air
can circulate through them.
*
Slightly open one window toward the front and
one toward the back for ventilation.
*
Close all roof vents. Be sure vent fan and range
hood fan switches are off.
*
Cover exterior vents (water heater, furnace, range
hood, refer) to prevent insects from getting in. Be
sure to remove all covering material before using
appliances or vents.
*
Cap or close holding tank drain, city water inlet
and fresh water fill spout.
44
*
Turn off all radios, TVs, interior and exterior lights.
*
Close drapes and curtains.
*
Check motor home weekly. Start and Jun the
engine for about 15 minutes weekly. Check engine
oil, transmission fluid, coolant levels.
Long-term Storage Above Freezing
*
Perform all the preceding, except run engine to nor-
mal operating temperature. Drain engine oil, replace
filter, refill engine with fresh oil. Operate air con-
ditioner to lubricate compressor seals.
*
Remove windshield wiper blades and store them
inside the motor home.
*
Disconnect batteries and check charge (Specific
Gravity) with a hydrometer every 30 days.
Recharge if necessary.
*
Rather than run the engine every week, run the
engine every 30 days. Turn the vehicle air condi-
tioner ON during this run. Check fluid levels as
for Short-term Storage.
*
Shield tires from direct sunlight.
*
Check tire inflation pressures every 30 days. Main-
tain maximum rated cold inflation pressure.
*
Remove high grass or weed growth.
WINTERIZATION AND WINTER STORAGE
Winter in most parts of North America can be harsh,
and can take its toll on almost all types of vehicles
and equipment. The rigors of winter should not
discourage you from enjoying the RV life-style, though.
Thoughtful planning and preparation for the winter
season can help eliminate equipment failures and
breakdowns, and can extend the life of your motor
home and its systems.
Your dealer can advise you concerning specific
winterization procedures and products for your climate
area or the areas through which you will be travel-
ing. Your dealer may also provide winterization ser-
vice for all appliances and systems in the motor home.
Before the winter traveling season starts, service the
motor home chassis thoroughly. Follow the lubrica-
tion schedule and be sure all chassis components are
ready for the stress of winter driving. Thoroughly
wash and wax the motor home body. Check under-
coating, and re-apply if necessary. Check windshield
wiper blades and replace them if they are broken, torn
or fatigued. Check tires, brakes, and lights. A
"physically fit" motor home will stay in shape much
better through the winter.
If you choose not to travel during the winter and
will be storing your motor home during periods of
,
.