Coach Non-use

[N5IIG]

Due to some physical problems we are going to have to leave our coach setting for approximately six months. My concerns are the inability to get all the bearings and seals lubed well by road driving every 4-6 weeks as we normally do by going somewhere. I am able to run genny and keep it up to par with no problems. I don't like to run the chassis engine in place as I am "old school" and condensation forms. The tranny does not get to operating temps either. Am I overly concerned because I am old school or not. Coaches were meant to go down the road. I know that folks up north do store for the winter, so are they also concerned or do they just not worry about it.

Maybe some of you folks could tell me what direction to go . Seriously any thoughts please would be appreciated. Thanks..........Jim

[N5IIG]

Due to some physical problems we are going to have to leave our coach setting for approximately six months. My concerns are the inability to get all the bearings and seals lubed well by road driving every 4-6 weeks as we normally do by going somewhere. I am able to run genny and keep it up to par with no problems. I don't like to run the chassis engine in place as I am "old school" and condensation forms. The tranny does not get to operating temps either. Am I overly concerned because I am old school or not. Coaches were meant to go down the road. I know that folks up north do store for the winter, so are they also concerned or do they just not worry about it.

Maybe some of you folks could tell me what direction to go . Seriously any thoughts please would be appreciated. Thanks..........Jim

[Norm Payne]

Fill the fuel tank and add some Stabil. Change the oil and filter. Empty the fresh water and holding tanks and add RV antifreeze if you will be in freezing temperatures. And as you plan, run the generator at least once a month. One other suggestion is to inflate the tires to the pressure on the sidewall and then reset the pressure before you drive. Put a vapor barrier under the tires. Disconnect the batteries so they don't discharge and then charge them when you run the generator, unless you have electric that you can keep connected to your motorhome.

Good luck.

[Argosy]

My experience is that sitting isn't as harmful as most posts will lead you to believe. From heavy equipment, farm equipment, to vehicles that only run in the good weather, I have never had to go thru and do massive repairs at startup
Start the generator and motor home engine. The motor home engine might not get up to operating temperature, but it will oil parts that the oil has drained off. The crankcase is only vented to the air thru the breather, it's not like it is super easy for condensation to pour into your oil. And it will cook out below operating temperature, water out of a tap is hot enough to make steam.

When the engine has warmed up, run the tranny thru drive, neutral, and reverse, a minute or so in each gear. If you can move back and for even 20 or 30 ft. it will get the gear lube on the axle gears, drag the brakes so the drums/rotors are cleaned off.

[Mapabear]

It is very common for people long term storing of there motorhome to somewhat over look the tires. Very good advice has been given, however, tires have not been mentioned. Therefore, when we put our coach away for several months durning the winter we max the air pressure, put down rubber mats ( these are 18 wheeler mud flaps found in our travels), then some carpet squares on top of the rubber mats, back the motor home on top of the carpet/rubber mats and then cover the tires with tire covers.

This puts the tire off the asphalt and protected from the sun. We are then not parked on sharp rocks or other items for long periods of time.

As a side note, we also carry the rubber mats with us and if parked at a camp ground for more than one night, we place the mats down and back the coach on to them.

As all ways travel safe;

Laura & Wil Young
Layton, Utah

["007"]

Mapabear a belated welcome to irv2 and thanks for your informative post.
Please do post more often, your Vintage MH can be a good start.

[Ecker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jim n Debbie:
Due to some physical problems we are going to have to leave our coach setting for approximately six months. My concerns are the inability to get all the bearings and seals lubed well by road driving every 4-6 weeks as we normally do by going somewhere. I am able to run genny and keep it up to par with no problems. I don't like to run the chassis engine in place as I am "old school" and condensation forms. The tranny does not get to operating temps either. Am I overly concerned because I am old school or not. Coaches were meant to go down the road. I know that folks up north do store for the winter, so are they also concerned or do they just not worry about it.

Maybe some of you folks could tell me what direction to go . Seriously any thoughts please would be appreciated. Thanks..........Jim </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

FWIW- When I lived in UT, we had some club members who were Mormons. They would go for a year on missions and leave the RV sitting in a storage area with only the usual prep i.e. batteries disconnected, fuel tank full, etc. They would come back and resume traveling with us with no impact. I all ways thought seals would get them because it did on a car that I left sit one time but they did not experience it.

[TomHinMd]

Do you belong to any clubs or know someone you trust that ownes a motorhome? Maybe you could ask them to come over once a month and drive it for an hour during your time of need. Maybe even someone from IRV2 that lives close by would be willing.

I would be glad to but you are just a little to far away from my house.

[melvonnar]

My motorhome sits 6 months a year---I add a trickle charger to the batteries fill the gas tank, change the oil and filter in generator and motorhome empty holding tanks, i live in Florida so no need to worry about freezing; thats it.

[ct78barnes]

November 1st till April 1st do as outhers have said it goes under the grand stand at our fair grounds .It is pitch black when the door closes so just air up the tires . doing this for years do not run the motor or gen set but do change the oil and filter in both and fog the gen set till it dies. Also put the pink stuff in the gas tanks and fill it up and pink stuff in water lines . No problems in over 5 years.

[TXiceman]

If you send it over to me, we are just out of Houston, we will see that it gets some road use....no charge.

The things I do for our iRV2 members.

And another thought...be sure to send you gas or Visa card along with it.

Ken