Bringing the rig out of winter storage

[janieD]

Well todays the day we head to the dealers to bring the rig out of storage and to a nearby state park. We are staying at dealers tonight to check all the systems and the couple things they added for us and fixed. Suppose to rain until midmorning tomorrow so will proably wait til the rain passes. Once we get it here it will be a gradual move in over the next month. No water at the campground until the 16th good thing we still have the apartment for a little while. We will get to practice our water conservation. We are plenty nervous about towing, backing up and all the things us newbies have never done but we know the only way to know how is to just do it. I'm sure we will have plenty of questions once we get going. Stay tuned for the adventure of the clueless

[davydee]

You'll do fine! (I mean face it...we survived!!) I know you're excited, so enjoy it! We've narrowed down what we think will fit in ours. Got about three weeks until we visit the dealer and get a state inspection, fix a couple of minor issues, sanitize the water system, etc. Then it's to the house and wash/wax, tighten screws, & see what really fits! David

[Jim & Bona]

JanieD -

One item to watch for on the spring startup is the mixing valve on the water heater. A number of us have had valve failures occur during winter storage. I think it might be that water remains in the mixing valve even when anti-freeze is pumped through the system. Anyway, the symptom to look for is that the hot water at the faucet never gets really hot, even though the water heater is up to temperature. It was an easy change out on our unit. The Corrective Action, in our case, was to turn into Fulltimers and follow the sun. (No more winterizing.)

Enjoy your new coach and Happt Travels.

[janieD]

Thanks for the pointers. The rain is coming earlier than expected so decided to wait and drive over tomorrow morning and move here tomorrow afternoon if everything checks out. We'll check that water out before we leave.

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by janieD Thanks for the pointers. The rain is coming earlier than expected so decided to wait and drive over tomorrow morning and move here tomorrow afternoon if everything checks out. We'll check that water out before we leave.

Jim makes a good point on the mixing valve, however, it doesn't show up for a year or two.....We've never had an issue with it on our old rig (5 years old), but we used a water softener and I flush the WH about every 2-3 months. We never winterized our either.....seems like a lot of valve issues happen after a year or two of service and then after it is winterized.....be glad when Atwood this under control. Have fun! rockin

[KU9L]

Last fall when I went to flush out the water heater on our 28rgo, the nylon plug broke off. It hadn't been flushed in years and got brittle over the years. I carefully took a tiny screwdriver and hammer to gently lift up the threads of the nylon stump to remove what was left of the stuck plug, being extremely careful of the aluminum threads of the water heater. I then hunted down a 15/16" socket to insert the replacement plug. That was the same day the pressure relief valve was replaced because it wouldn't stop leaking either. I felt I grew to a new level having survived the experience, especially when the local dealer was booked up for 3 weeks and outside temps were dipping below freezing at night.

Dave

[rockintom]

Dave,

I have a bit easier way to remove the broken off stub from the drain plug. Find a regular straight screwdriver that fits in the stub tightly. Go to the rig stove and heat the tip up a bit. Carefully insert the blade in the stub and it will melt into it. Allow to cool and then turn counterclock. Viola! When I go back with a new plug I use thread sealant or teflon tape...and hand tighten only. I keep an exta plug on hand at all times. Remember hand tighten with the 15/16" deep socket. rockin'

[KU9L]

Thanks Tom! I know we keep you around for a reason!!!!!!! ;-)

Dave

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KU9L Thanks Tom! I know we keep you around for a reason!!!!!!! ;-) Dave

Thanks Dave......you oughta see what I'll do for a cheap bottle of wine!!

[KU9L]

Wine would be good at this point, Cookie Momma has put me on a diet to lose 25 pounds in the last 5 weeks. She gave away all of my barley pops!!!!

Dave

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KU9L Wine would be good at this point, Cookie Momma has put me on a diet to lose 25 pounds in the last 5 weeks. She gave away all of my barley pops!!!! Dave

Oh my.....that's darn mean. I'd buy some more, before you get irritable. The pix I've seen of you.....looks like you couldn't afford to lose 25 lbs. You'd be accused of having anorexia!!!

Are we yet? Mama will get on us shortly....back to topic...

[Still Working "NOT"]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KU9L Thanks Tom! I know we keep you around for a reason!!!!!!! ;-) Dave

Careful Dave, SKIA will get a big head again.

Janie, Bring that rig out to Oakley. I have a big open lot behind the house and you can practice all of those things and not hit a thing.

[KU9L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom Oh my.....that's darn mean. I'd buy some more, before you get irritable. The pix I've seen of you.....looks like you couldn't afford to lose 25 lbs. You'd be accused of having anorexia!!! Are we yet? Mama will get on us shortly....back to topic...

This winter I am being used as a plow mule for daily hard labor, but this summer I am going to be doing night security/escorting, so I figured I had better be at my prime before I downshift my activities. Also, we are trying to qualify for a new health plan in our current domicile, but those turkeys want the impossible so they can jack up the premium by 3x over their "normal" rates for those they consider "plump".

Sorry for the

Dave

[MakinSmoke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom Oh my....You'd be accused of having anorexia!!! ...

Who told you how to spell anorexia? That's a 5 syllable word. You don't have any 5 syllable words in your vocabulary!:nonono :