Long term site considerations

[nickv1940]

I recently purchased my first motor home - a 1985 31 foot Winnebago Chieftain. I have recently (within the past month) set it up for long term site occupancy in Apache Junction AZ.

I was hoping that someone could give me any tips as to what I should do to maintain the RV in good condition at the site. For example, should I move the RV a foot or so once a month so the tires don't take a set, and what should I do relative to tire pressure. I know I should cover the tires to protect them from UV damage. Should I attempt jack the RV up to take a load off the tires, etc.

Should I do anything relative to the engine, batteries, etc.

Thanks loads

PS: Last night we had a rare heavy rain and the roof didn't leak at all.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by nickv1940

I recently purchased my first motor home - a 1985 31 foot Winnebago Chieftain. I have recently (within the past month) set it up for long term site occupancy in Apache Junction AZ.

I was hoping that someone could give me any tips as to what I should do to maintain the RV in good condition at the site. For example, should I move the RV a foot or so once a month so the tires don't take a set, and what should I do relative to tire pressure. I know I should cover the tires to protect them from UV damage. Should I attempt jack the RV up to take a load off the tires, etc.

Should I do anything relative to the engine, batteries, etc.

Thanks loads

PS: Last night we had a rare heavy rain and the roof didn't leak at all.

Insulate your tires from dirt or standing water. Inflate tires to sidewall maximum.
Use your jacks to lift the MH enough to remove most of the weight by using blocking under the jacks.
Assuming you have a gas engine, add Stabil to the fuel tank, and top it off just prior to parking. It's useless to add Stabil after you are parked, as it will not mix in the tank enough to prevent todays gas(30 days is about max) from degrading and causing problems later.
Don't forget your batteries, check liquid level at least monthly, add distilled water as needed.
Add a few oz bleach to your fresh water holding tank, even though you'll not be using it while parked. This prevents mold, slime from growing. You may always drain the water tank and refill with "new" water when you decide to move the MH.

[Sue46]

Put something under the tires(plastic place mats work). Run your generator once a month with a load for 30 minutes. Don't leave your tank drains open.

[VSPA]

Are you storing of occupying. Mine stays in storage and my routine varies. Normally I keep it on levelers which have pads under them and the plastic woven welcome mats under the tires. I try to bring it out of storage once a month up to the sticks and bricks, about a mile, let the engine warm up to op temp, run the genny under load, check batteries and tires and put the it on the charger for put on charger. periodically, I drain the fresh water tank of the 10-12 gals I keep in it and refill with fresh. On extended stays in it, I still follow much of the above routine.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Congrats on the new rig! I can't offer any suggestions that others have not already mentioned. Keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

Merry Christmas!

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by VSPA

Are you storing of occupying. Mine stays in storage and my routine varies. Normally I keep it on levelers which have pads under them and the plastic woven welcome mats under the tires. I try to bring it out of storage once a month up to the sticks and bricks, about a mile, let the engine warm up to op temp, run the genny under load, check batteries and tires and put the it on the charger for put on charger. periodically, I drain the fresh water tank of the 10-12 gals I keep in it and refill with fresh. On extended stays in it, I still follow much of the above routine.

I doubt any engine will have the oil temperature up to operating temperature in one mile for 20 minutes(time required to totally evaporate moisture), which is what is required to cause crankcase moisture to evaporate and exit the crankcase. What is actually happening is creating more moisture in the crankcase when the engine cools again.

[VSPA]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

I doubt any engine will have the oil temperature up to operating temperature in one mile for 20 minutes(time required to totally evaporate moisture), which is what is required to cause crankcase moisture to evaporate and exit the crankcase. What is actually happening is creating more moisture in the crankcase when the engine cools again.

My error, thanks for the catch. I failed to mention that I leave it running once I get it to the house for that amount of time or longer as I'm also running the genny at the same time to check it as well. I've been known to burn up a quarter tank of gas between top offs and only put 10-25 miles on it which equates to 2 mpg or less. About once a month, depending on how much fuel I burn on warm up, I'll top it off after adding some Stabil to the tank so the fuel addition mixes the Stabil into the gas.

[Mr_D]

Pressure molded into a truck size tire is NOT the maximum pressure for the tire. It is the MINIMUM cold pressure to support the maximum weight rating of the tire. This takes into consideration the pressure increase due to driving on it.

[Crasher]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Pressure molded into a truck size tire is NOT the maximum pressure for the tire. It is the MINIMUM cold pressure to support the maximum weight rating of the tire. This takes into consideration the pressure increase due to driving on it.

You should add that the pressure molded on the side of the tire is "also" the maximum "cold" pressure the tire should have. This is according to Michelin techs. Your statement implies that it is ok to inflate to a higher "cold" psi. If the cold psi is correct for the load, any pressure increase from driving is perfectly normal.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by VSPA

My error, thanks for the catch. I failed to mention that I leave it running once I get it to the house for that amount of time or longer as I'm also running the genny at the same time to check it as well. I've been known to burn up a quarter tank of gas between top offs and only put 10-25 miles on it which equates to 2 mpg or less. About once a month, depending on how much fuel I burn on warm up, I'll top it off after adding some Stabil to the tank so the fuel addition mixes the Stabil into the gas.

Stan, a diesel engine will never reach normal operating temperature at low idle, even if allowed to idle all day. It's actually harder on the engine than shutting it down according to Cummins.