Vvin\Er Storage Below Freezing; Wat4R" System Winterizing; General Vehicle Winter Storage Checklist - Fleetwood Bounder 1987 Owner's Manual

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home chassis thoroughly. Follow the lubrication
schedule and be sure all chassis components are ready
for the stress of winter driving. Thoroughly wash and
wax the motor home body. Check undercoating, 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
freezing temperatures, follow a thorough Winter
Storage procedure.
Winter Storage Below Freezing
Protecting the plumbing systems in your motor
home is the most important aspect of long-term winter
storage. Extensive damage to the plumbing fixtures
and components, as well as other potential problems
can be avoided by proper draining and antifreeze pro-
tection. The following is a procedure checklist you can
follow if you prefer to winterize your vehicle yourself.
(See PLUMBING Section)
Water System' Winterizing
• Perform a complete chassis service and lubrica-
tion as outlined in the Chassis Operator's Manual.
• Drain the fresh water tank by opening the water
tank drain valve.
*
Turn water pump on (12-volt DC power on.)
Open a cold water faucet. When the flow of
water stops, turn the pump off.
• After opening hot and cold water faucets, open
the drain valves on HOT and COLD water pipes.
These valves are located in the water utility com-
partment and drain out the bottom of the motor
home.
*
Drain the water heater by opening the drain valve
at the bottom of the heater and open the safety
·valve. Open the hot water faucets ..
*
Open all cold water faucets, and depress the
flush pedal or pull the flush levers on the toilet.
When each faucet has been opened, drained, and
closed, close' the. water line'drain ·valves:
: . .... ".,., \ ... : " , .. ' .':~ _.;., <.:.... .
*
Drain.the waste water system.bYfoUowing the.
normal procedure for draining the'holding tanks.
(See PLUMBING Section)
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Apply graphite lubricant to the knife .valve ac- .
tuator rod;
.• Be sure ALL water from ALL plumbing fixtures'
has been drained.
CAUTION: DRAINING THE WATER SYSTEM
ALONE WILL NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE COLD.
WEATHER PROTECTION. IF
TH~
MOTOR HOME
. 71
IS TO BE UNHEATED DURING FREEZING
TEMPERATURES. CONSULT YOUR DEALER FOR
THE BEST WINTERIZING PROCEDURE FOR YOUR
CLIMATE. YOUR DEALER CAN WINTERIZE YOUR
MOTOR HOME FOR YOU OR CAN SUPPLY YOU
WITH ONE OF THE SPECIAL ANTIFREEZES WHICH
ARE SAFE AND APPROVED FOR USE IN RV
WATER SYSTEMS. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS
FURNISHED WITH THE ANTIFREEZE.
WARNING: DO NOT USE AUTOMOTIVE OR WIND-
SHIELD WASHER ANTIFREEZE IN THE MOTOR
HOME WATER SYSTEM. THESE COULD BE
HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED.
* When filling the plumbing systems with antifreeze.
be sure to open and operate all fixtures and valves
allowing the antifreeze solution to flow freely.
* Pour a cup of antifreeze solution down each drain.
*
Install all protective caps:
* Water tank fill
* City water inlet cap
* Waste tank drain outlet cap
*
After the water systems are completely fulled with
antifreeze, remove the water purifier filter cartridge.
General Vehicle Winter Storage Checklist
*
Thoroughly service the motor home chassis as ,: •.
discussed above.
*
Perform steps as listed under Long-term Storage."
checklist. ..
*
Check engine coolant level and. antifreeze pr,o-.',,: ..
tection. Drain and flush engine cooling system: ..
and add antifreeze to protect the system to the
lowest expected storage temperature (at least
-20°F).
*
Close and cover all vents to prevent entry of
snow or small animals and insects.
*
Service and winterize the AC generator (if equip-
ped) as outlined in the generator operating
manual included in your Owner's Information
Package ..
*
Check the sealant around all roof and body seams
and windows. Reseal if. necessary. 'See
~·SEALANr'RENEWAL·~section.
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Lubrica:t~·:all. loc;:ksand. hinges with ·Iight, oil or
graphite. .
*'
If you expect to store the motor home for an ex-
tended period. you may want
to,
supp.ort the
weight of the motor home on appropriate blOCkS
or jack stands. This will take the weight off tl)e
tires and reduce the for.mation of flat spots. Do
not use hollow core concrete blocks for block-
ing. Cover the tires with cloth or cardboard. You
may also choose to coat them with a special tire'
dressing to reduce deterioration from ultraviolet.