Is it that Time Again, DEWINTERIZE

[Winnie42]

I winterize my motorhome by taking it to Florida from Ohio.

[gemini5362]

Go to the manufacturers website if you can. Tiffin in their tech tips have recommendations for their coaches. Tiffin recommends you run your engine and your generator for 20 minutes every three weeks. Not driving your coach for a year in my opinion is bad for the coach. That means that tires have not been moved ? I believe at the very least every couple of months move the coach forward and back a few feet. If possible drive it a few miles maybe to the service station for diesel additives or for a bit more diesel. It is very hard on vehicles to just sit in one spot for a year at a time.

[beepaj]

Is or isn't it a good idea to take the majority the weight off the tires using truck jack stands?

["007"]

Never had a problem with Michelins on any coach I had I guess its up to you, if there was flat spots never noticed after tires warmed up.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by "007"

The Gen & AC's should be exercised during the winter to keep them in good shape for next years trips.

This is our first winter with a motorhome.
Gen should not be a problem - unless it gets too cold.
So how do I run the AC's in a Michigan winter? I could run the heat pump side of the AC's IF it gets above 40*.

The last two 5th wheelers I owned, I never ran the AC's in the winter. We usually parked our rigs from 11/1 to 4/1.

So I need a little help in running the AC's in below freezing temps.

Thanks

["007"]

Exercising the Gen and AC's so compressor and fans get some use and for coolant circulation.
Heat pump as you know only above 40* would be a plus if its possible, if to cold not possible.

[cmpncrsaider]

I stack 2x10 blocking under jacks almost all the way up to touching then put jacks down enough to take most of the weight off the tires. This leaves only a little of the jacks exposed. I know it's not necessary but it's part of what I do for winter storage. Also make sure to cross cross the grain so the blocks don't split.

[Whizzer60]

The point of having the tires on plywood is what?

If I have the RV parked on a concrete slab is the plywood necessary?

["007"]

I see no problem with tires on concrete as long as its dry, like in garage, if not would place plywood or plastic board under tire to separate from wet surface.
Here is more info as to why.

[Pigman1]

Originally Posted by JohnT

This is our first winter with a motorhome.
Gen should not be a problem - unless it gets too cold.
So how do I run the AC's in a Michigan winter? I could run the heat pump side of the AC's IF it gets above 40*.

The last two 5th wheelers I owned, I never ran the AC's in the winter. We usually parked our rigs from 11/1 to 4/1.

So I need a little help in running the AC's in below freezing temps.

Thanks

You have to understand why heat pumps don't work well in cold weather. In fact, they work just fine, as pumping heat from outside to inside is a function of the mechanical setup. Problems occur when you try to get "warm" from outside to inside. The outside, being below freezing restricts airflow due to ice forming and the heat pumping function then doesn't work well. Al that said, by running the heat pumps in the winter, you're really trying to move the refrigerant around in the system, turn the compressor and fan to keep bearing lube distributed and keep seal seats clean and bright. This can be done below freezing by running the system for 2-3 minutes and then shutting down.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by Pigman1

All that said, by running the heat pumps in the winter, you're really trying to move the refrigerant around in the system, turn the compressor and fan to keep bearing lube distributed and keep seal seats clean and bright. This can be done below freezing by running the system for 2-3 minutes and then shutting down.

That the ansdwer I was looking for.
Thank you.
BTW - Nice garage.

[daleworth]

>007
If you can leave the shore line plugged in so batteries stay charged and check water level during winter months and also keep the battery cut off switch on so they will be charged by your converter.

Is shore power the same as trickle charge?

[garbonz]

Originally Posted by RoyM

You mean there is actually a valid reason for that stuff?

I used to do that in my boat, which had a small FW tank and foot pump to the sink. That way I could recycle the fluid in the spring, hiccup. Seem like it was hard to put the sails on without closing one eye, hiccup...

[garbonz]

Originally Posted by beepaj

Is or isn't it a good idea to take the majority the weight off the tires using truck jack stands?

That used to be true for bias ply tires, but I don't think it is a big deal with modern radials..