Five Months In One Campsite

[clayfeet]

As we are approaching our first full month of a five month work camping assignment.

I'm thinking once a month I need to

treat the slide seals with 303

treat the exposed portion of the levelers with WD40

check and fill tires to max pressure

disconnect power, water and sewer

pull in the slides

'stow' the levelers

start the engine

start the generator

move the DP forward and backward a number of times to lube bearings and seals, testing the filling of airbags while noting air pressure, test power steering, brakes, forward/reverse shifting, etc.

run both engines for 1/2 hour with A/C turned on to load the genset

necessary, unnecessary, what did I miss?

[siggyd]

I would not start the diesel engine & the diesel generator.

[nothermark]

I think I would stop at the 303 and WD40 steps.

[RJOL]

Originally Posted by nothermark

I think I would stop at the 303 and WD40 steps.

Make sure you completely wipe the WD40 off the jack pistons. Your manual will tell you to cycle them, usually once a month, and how to clean them, but they don't want you to leave oil on after you wipe them down...

[HavingABlast]

I am relatively new to this (20 months), and certainly will be listening to what more experienced folks say. I understand you wanting to exercise the system. Not sure that I would move the coach monthly, but that might not be a bad thing. I think that running the generator in place, under load, is a good way to exercise it.

I agree with your maintenance items per se. I would leave shore power attached retracting and deploying the slides. This action puts a big load on your batteries. Speaking of batteries, if you have wetted cells, this would be the frequency of checking the level of your electrolytes too

If you want to truly exercise your diesel engine, I would think that actually driving it for an hour or so would be the thing to do. This would allow the engine to come to running temperature. Push a bit of Diesel through the fuel filters, and keep things moving in your tranny and air filter. This would also allow you to exercise the brakes (including engine brake) under working conditions.

My thinking is that if you are setting still for 5 months, some where in the halfway point, I would take the coach out for an hour drive. Maybe top off the tank too.

Over all, I like that you have thought this through. Well done.

[HavingABlast]

Nice looking rig!

[RJOL]

Originally Posted by HavingABlast

.... I think that running the generator in place, under load, is a good way to exercise it.

My generator manual says to run the generator at least once a month, under load. I do this during Winter storage months...

[ghaynes754]

Why not take it for a ride. Wouldn't need to be far but long enough to get the engine up to full operating temperature. I've read that simply starting but not getting to full temps may do more harm than good.

[Dizzee2020]

Per Steinbring Motorcoach when we had our orientation: Talcum powder applied with a old sock on slide seals (also on video from RVGeeks via Youtube) and Sta-bil fogging oil on leveling jacks.

[GaryKD]

Hi clayfeet,
Based on your list here we go. You do not say where you are. Near the ocean? Temperature day and night. Average humidity? Sun, shade or both?


treat the slide seals with 303 Slide seals are treated once a year.

treat the exposed portion of the levelers with WD40 WD40 and wipe down the day before you leave, nothing more need be done.

check and fill tires to max pressure Check tire pressure every couple of months. Fill to the PSI you run them at. A TPMS system can make this much easier.

disconnect power, water and sewer no

pull in the slides no

'stow' the levelers no

start the engine no If the engine is started the coach should be taken for a ride. I see no reason to do this. Let the automotive part of the coach sleep. It may not start on the first try, but it will start and run on the second or third try. No harm done. I've done this may times. Think of all the snow birds who park for 6 months at a time.

start the generator Once every couple of months for 30 minutes under load is all that is needed.

[dexters]

Originally Posted by GaryKD

treat the slide seals with 303 Slide seals are treated once a year.

My understanding is that silicone spray last longer and is better for rubber seals then 303.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Liquid-Wr...icant/16816127

303 is good for rubber roofs and the directions say to apply it 30 or 60 days - I forgot - read the label

[JohnT]

Gary brings up a very good point. It all depends are where you are parked. I would consider different things if parked in a hot and humid area versus a hot and dry area versus a cold and damp area versus high altitude and dry area.

[GaryKD]

Hi dexters,
Silicone and rubber? Not for me. I'll pass on that combination.

[dexters]

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi dexters,
Silicone and rubber? Not for me. I'll pass on that combination.

Why?