Summer Maintenance

[JustCruising]

When we wrap up our summer travel, I plan to do some maintenance on our coach.

First, I need to replace the seals on the slide outs. The current seals are not straight and loose in several places. Can anyone recommend a source for the seals? What is the best type of adhesive to use?

Next, the roof. There appears to be several types of caulk around the vents, skylights etc. What is the best way to remove the old caulk? What is the best caulk to use on the roof?

Also, the fiberglass roof has a number of small scratches and stains. What type of prep work is necessary to repaint the roof? What type of paint would you recommend?

Thanks for your advice.

Frank & Jeannie
2007 Monaco Cayman

[jesilvas]

I use Clean Seal or AP Products for seals. Or factory direct if possible.
Not all are adhered, some use trim lock, some are screwed down.

Some plastic/dull scraper is best for the roof, as to not damage it anymore. Many like Eternabond tape. That is good, and I also like Sikaflex 715 as well.

[flynnwalter]

Frank & Jeannie
Have the trailing arms been replaced on your coach? There is a rather serious flaw with the original MCC trailing arms as they crack and break. Suggest you research here:
Source Engineering Inc. about their replacement trailing arms as well as their ride enhancement kit.
This is the third post in which you have asked us different questions about your Cayman, and I have yet to read that you have even received our replies, much less that you appreciate them. This is a two way street and many of our replies to your questions require we ask you questions to narrow things down in return. Do you have a manual for your Cayman? Are you new to RVing? Do you have Lippert hydraulics?
Frank W. 09 Cayman
Lake City, Florida

[bborc]

I got my slide seals from uni-grip inc. go to there web site and you can see all the different seals they make. mine on a 2007 Knight were ED-50470. About $230 for 60ft.

[JustCruising]

Morning Everyone

Thanks for the response. I will check out the website for the seals.

Frank-09 Cayman - Please know I responded to your questions yesterday. Not ignoring responses, for I appreciate all of the advice, but we were out on the road.....no wi-fi, etc.

Frank & Jeannie
2007 Monaco Cayman

[flynnwalter]

F&J
Jeannie suggested that just might be the cause for your delay (after I got huffy) and of course I had never thought about it. My apologies. We are stuck at home in the Florida heat due to recent surgery, so maybe my patience boiled a bit thin. Mea culpa. In August we hope to head to the mountains of southwest Virginia at about 4400' elevation where its cool. But its all depending on recovery from 4th major surgery. My best advice is to enjoy RVing as much as you can, now, before the inevitable sneaks up on you. Have fun.
Frank W. 09 Cayman
Lake City, Florida

[JustCruising]

Frank W - Not a problem! Hope your recovery goes well. Where are you going in Va? We have family in West Virginia and we are always looking for one more great place to visit?

Frank & Jeannie
2007 Cayman XL

[broadrun]

If you are ever in the area of Western Virginia, check out Monterey, Virginia. Population of 141. It's in the mountains and is often called "Little Switzerland" as it is very beautiful. They have a maple festival where they feature maple syrup making. Some call it the pancake festival ;-). The only town with less crime could only be Mayberry. I may retire there someday!

Cheers.

[flynnwalter]

Frank
We have volunteered in one form or another at Grayson Highlands State Park since 2002.
Grayson Highlands State Park
Lord willing, I will be the host at the horse campground (there are two--one for people and one for people with horses) in August, while Jeannie continues her recovery from surgery. We usually work the Visitor Center, but Jeannie cannot do that, so the wonderful staff there found me a job at the horse camp. Horse camp has 50 amp plus water, but the sites were designed for horse trailers and only a few will fit a large coach. 4400' elevation=cool. Contiguous with Mt Rogers Nat'l Rec Area with lots of hiking as the AT goes thru here. Views of NC & Tenn mountains, ride the Va. Creeper Trail (rent bikes near SP) Virginia Creeper Trail Club | Official Site of the Virginia Creeper Trail Club — Creeper Keeper and lots of great music Crooked Road - Virginia's Heritage Music Trail, The - Virginia Is For Lovers
August brings wild blueberries to pick, Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax, Va. Old Fiddler's Convention and Fiddlers Convention in Fries, Va. Home - Fries Fiddlers' Convention
Not much for shopaholics to do here, closest Walmarts equidistant at about 45 mins to Marion, Va or West Jefferson NC. GHSP is not near anything, so be forewarned--especially if you don't have a toad. Distance from here is measured in time since the roads are so crooked with switchbacks, etc that distance is not meaningful. Caveat: Sometimes in August when the campground is full and the winter snow has been sparse, water in well gets low and shower heat gets turned off to limit shower lengths--it works, but of course coaches with their own wh aren't really affected. No full hookup sites but there is a dump station, 30 amps, and the purest water at sites, large coaches (38' and over) may have difficulty reserving a big site. Go slow the last eight miles heading to/from the park as sometimes tractor trailer drivers think its a short cut and they cannot make the turns in their lane. You can probably guess this is our favorite place and it got us to try volunteering, at this park. Reserve now as weekends fill up maybe have already. There are some federal campgrounds down lower in Mt Rogers National Rec Area, the closest being Grindstone. Private campgrounds in Damascus, Va. another place where you can ride the Va. Creeper trail. Bike rental shops will ferry you up the mountain and drop you off for the 17 miles downhill ride back to Damascus--no peddling so don't bother with renting a mountain bike, get a beach cruiser with wide tires and wider seat--places to eat along the way. Damascus is actually the halfway point on the Creeper, which goes 34 miles from White Top (near GHSP) to Abingdon, Va. But its flat between Abingdon and Damascus, so most folks ride the 17 miles downhill White Top to Damascus. One older gentleman who lives in Abingdon has biked the Creeper from his home up the mountain and back down, logging over 180k miles so far. He ain't fat. But its hot down below.
Frank W. 09 Cayman
Lake City, Florida

[JustCruising]

Thanks for the great information. We have loaded the info into our "travel notes" and hope to make it up there.

Frank & Jeannie
2007 Monaco Cayman Xl

[flynnwalter]

Frank & Jeannie
Try a can of silicone of Silicone Blaster:Blaster 11 oz. Dry Lube Silicone Lubricant-16-SL at The Home Depot
I sprayed it very liberally on the outer seals (there are inner) and one of the seals that always had to be flipped out by hand now flips out by itself. If it ain't broke...