Periodic Running After Winterizing

[TandW]

Originally Posted by MrMark52

Let me take a different tact on this argument -

After owning a lake property and several boats prior to our MoHo’ ming days, we came to the conclusion of “use them or lose them”.

It seemed every time we went to the lake place for a “relaxing weekend”, we ended up working our buns off getting things cleaned up and finding things that didn’t work or quit working that had to be fixed on the next “relaxing weekend” when we had parts in hand.
Our friend’s who have a cabin in CO but live in Texas are selling that cabin for the same reasons - they've owned the place for 5 years and have barely spent 2-3 months/year up there. We went up in September to help rebuild their rotting deck entry, to help him install and reassemble his washing machine after the water valve assembly had frozen and cracked from the previous years freeze, and replaced the dishwasher control valve that I had identified as bad 3 years ago (but we had not been up there until recently to install).

And it seemed every time we got in the boat, as the boat aged, we were always finding something wasn’t working right or didn’t work at all. Or rotted wood caused by accumulated rain water because leaves plugged the drain at the transom.

Granted, many of the issues I mention above are caused by our own lack of follow thru or proper monitoring and care of whatever is being “set aside”.

And that’s where getting out and starting up your coach once a month or so comes in - it gives you a chance to discover and correct those things that could or would be more problematic if left alone for a longer period.
Rats/mice finding comfort nibbling that last forgotten box of cereal and then nesting in the torn urethane foam cushion material they gnawed out the seat cushions - better to find sooner than later.
Exercising the tires is better than not exercising as it helps to distribute the chemicals used to make the tire.
The damage done by varmints, whether they just find a place to live on the coach or find a way to breach to the interior can be reduced when caught early. And what damage is done can be easier to repair the earlier it’s caught.

So - for us - running our coach is as much about keeping an eye on our coach as it is for any other reason.

YMMV

Well said. May I add that you vary the times between visits to help dissuade squatters and thieves?

[Adamsdad]

I was told to run the engine for 15 min to keep the seals and hoses from drying out. That also charges the chassis battery.

I was told to run the generator for 1 hour to do the above plus dry out the coils.

I have noticed water dripping out of the exhaust pipes when first starting in cold weather.

I do this every 2 weeks.

I also run an extension cord from a 15amp outlet (with surge protector) in the garage.

I don't know if it makes any difference, but it does allow me to take an hour nap without mama finding stuff for me to do

[Winemaker2]

Originally Posted by Adamsdad

I was told to run the engine for 15 min to keep the seals and hoses from drying out. That also charges the chassis battery.


- I would not put much faith in whoever gave you that advice. Short runs do more harm than good. What hoses? Radiator is full of coolant whether running or sitting. I would contend you use more AH starting that you put back in w a 15Min charge. If you run it do it on the road under load for 30 min+


I was told to run the generator for 1 hour to do the above plus dry out the coils.

- Good practice if you are in a damp/humid environment during storage but be sure to do it under 50%+ load and include a short... 5 min... cool down w/load then shut down.



I have noticed water dripping out of the exhaust pipes when first starting in cold weather.

- That's part of the reason why #1 above not recommended. Any short runs that don't get everything up to oper temp (not just coolant temp) is key.


I do this every 2 weeks.

- Many boats & MHs sit for 6 mos storage and run for decades



I also run an extension cord from a 15amp outlet (with surge protector) in the garage.



I don't know if it makes any difference, but it does allow me to take an hour nap without mama finding stuff for me to do

- I completely concur w napping often!

...

[Iceclimber]

No. Properly winterize, leave alone.