Maintenance & Winterizing page

I. Maintenance:
Sandy's can perfoms any or all these maintenance chores, if you don't want to.                Feel free to discuss in detail with us.  

RV maintenance should be :
    1) on going before each trip,
    2) before & after long term storage and
    3) yearly ... depending on the component.

Ironically, few owners perform this detailed maintenance, opting to wait for the inevitable breakdown & frantic repair.  

Grok AI Chatterbox recomends the following:

    1. BEFORE EVERY TRIP (10-minute walk-around)
☐ Tires: 5-second “thump” or gauge (cold PSI on door sticker)
☐ Lug nuts: 100 ft-lb star pattern (⅞" socket)
☐ Hitch: zero slop, safety chains crossed, break-away cable
☐ Lights: brake, turn, marker, license plate
☐ Propane sniffer test: (or, Gas Leak Detector sprayer) 
☐ Roof: quick scan for new cracks or lifted sealant

     2. MONTHLY (30–60 min)
☐ Roof: wash & UV protect with 303 Aerospace (but quite costly)  
☐ Seals: Dicor lap sealant on every seam that looks chalky
☐ Slide-outs: wipe tops, lube rails with Thetford spray
☐ Battery: distilled water, clean terminals: (Interstate's everywhere) 
☐ Black tank: 5-gal ice cube flush (Pure Power Blue-easily available)

    3. EVERY 3 MONTHS / 3,000 MI:
        a. Chassis:
☐ Oil & filter (Ford V10: 7 qt 5W-20; Cummins: 12 qt 15W-40)
☐ Air filter slap-test: Grok: DYI informal test 
☐ Grease: 6–8 zerks on driveline & suspension
☐ Brake pads: 50 % = replace

        b. Generator
☐ 20-hr oil change (Onan's SAE 15W-40)
☐ Spark plug: Check manufacturer specs
☐ Run 2 hrs under 50 % load

        c. House
☐ Fridge fins: vacuum + check baffle
☐ Water filter: replace if < 6 mo
☐ Smoke/CO/LP alarms: test button + new batteries

    4. EVERY 6 MONTHS
☐ Sanitize fresh tank: ¼ cup bleach/15 gal, run taps, sit 4 hrs, flush
☐ Wheel bearings: repack (or inspect if Dexter EZ-Lube)
☐ AC filters: wash metal mesh
☐ Inverter: torque battery cables 10 ft-lb

    5. ANNUAL “DE-WINTERIZE & TUNE-UP”
☐ Roof: full re-seal ... as needed
☐ Inspect all caulking—replace with Dicor.
☐ Water heater: flush, (Sandy's pressure wand, if needed)
☐ Furnace: vacuum, from inside 
☐ Brakes: full inspection, magnets & shoes
☐ TPMS sensors: new batteries (CR1632)
☐ Propane regulator: replace if >5 yrs

    6. EVERY 2 YEARS
☐ House batteries: load-test
☐ Converter: manufacturer's specs
☐ Awning fabric: 303 Fabric Guard

    7. EVERY 5 YEARS 
☐ New CO/LP detectors (date code)
☐ Repack wheel bearings, if not done annually

II. Winterizing & Longterm Storage


RV winterizing protects against frozen, bursting pipes & fittings below  32°F/0°C. Long-term storage care maintains components & protects against non-use deterioration.

1. Drain all water tanks and lines (gravity first.)
   ☐ Fresh-water tank: open low-point drains (often 2 white valves
       under chassis).
   ☐ Hot & cold low-point drains (red & blue valves).
   ☐ Water heater: remove anode rod (suburban) or plastic plug
       (Atwood) & drain fully.
   ☐ Black & gray tanks: dump and flush completely.

2. Bypass the Water Heater
   ☐ Turn the 2 bypass valves (usually behind the heater) so pink RV
       antifreeze never enters the 6–10 gal tank.
   ☐ Install the bypass plug if your model has one.

3. Blowout the lines (optional, but recommended)
   ☐ Set an air compressor to 30–50 psi (never higher).
   ☐ Attach a blow-out plug to the city-water inlet.
   ☐ Open faucets (H & C): shower, toilet valve, & outside shower -- 1  
       at a time until only air comes out.
   ☐ Also, washing-machine valves or ice-maker line.

4. Add non-– toxic RV antifreeze (-50° F rated)
   ☐ Install antifreeze siphon hose into gallon jug & connect to water-
       pump inlet (or use built-in winterize port on newer rigs).
   ☐ Turn pump on, open faucets 1 by 1 (furthest 1st) until full pink.
   ☐ Flush toilet until full pink.
   ☐ Pour 1–2 pts of antifreeze down every drain (P-trap protection).
   ☐ Pour ½ cup of antifreeze in toilet bowl to protect the valve seal.

5. Protect exterior components:
   ☐ Ice-maker: shut off valve and open the line to drain.
   ☐ Outside shower: open both valves and remove shower head.
   ☐ Black-tank rinse sprayer: open and drain.
   ☐ City-water inlet: leave the check valve open.

6. Battery and power.
    ☐ Disconnect or remove 12 V batteries and store above freezing.
    ☐ Turn off propane tanks and remove regulators if storing outside.

7. Final Walk-Through
    ☐ Pump off, all faucets closed.
    ☐ 2–3 gallons of antifreeze used in a Class C; 3–5 in a 5th-wheel.
    ☐ Tag the RV: “WINTERIZED – DO NOT HOOK TO WATER”.