Preparing The Motor Home For - Fleetwood tioga 1989 Manual

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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.
c) 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
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Wash the motor home exterior and underside.
Hose off accumulations of mud and road salts.
Rinse the exterior weekly to remove accumula-
tions 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 aux-
'iliary batteries with,a',hydrometer.,Hydrometer
, "reading should be 1.255. Add colorless. odor-
,less drinking waterif:necessary. :and charge to
a reading of 1.255.
Remove battery cables. Clean terminals. top
and sides of batteries and battery boxes.
Reinstall cables. dress with a plastic ignition
spray.
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 lif 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.
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Cover exterior vents (water heater, furnace.
range hood, refer) to prevent insects from get-
ting in. Be sure to remove all covering material
before using appliances or vents.
Cap or close holding tank drain, city water in-
let and fresh water fill spout.
Turn off all radios, TVs, Interior and exterior
lights.
, Close drapes and curtains.
• Check motor home weekly: Start and run the
engine for about 15 minutes weekly. Check
engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant levels.
Long-term Storage Above Freezing
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Perform all the preceding, except run engine
to normal operating temperature, Drain engine
oil, replace filter, refill. engine with fresh oil.
Operate air conditioner 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 con-
ditioner ON during this run. Check fluid levels
as for Short-term Storage.
Shield tires from direct sunlight.
Check tire inflation pressures every 30 days.
Maintain 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
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