Maintenance Tips
TO OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS:
Our Service Department here at The Hitch House would like to pass on a few helpful hints to keep your motorhome in good running condition. A motorhome is not like a car. The biggest issue tends to be lack of use. Most folks travel to their destination, such as
Ø Wheels We recommend that your tires be removed at least once a year. It is very frustrating to get a flat tire but the situation worsens when the wheel cannot be removed because it is seized to the hub.
Ø Brakes Brake pads should be removed, calipers freed and sliders greased at least once a year in order to prevent possible seizing.
Ø Air Cleaner & Box The filter and box should be cleaned to prevent mice from building nests in them. If unfortunately mice take residence in your RV for a prolonged period of time, they can cause large amounts of damage to your electrical system as they will tend to chew through the wiring.
Ø Spark Plugs Spark plugs should be removed at least once a year. The manufacturer recommends that they be removed and replaced every 50,000 kms. However, it sometimes can be five or six years before that amount of mileage is put on an RV. If the spark plugs are left in for that period of time they can snap in the cylinder head and cause no end of trouble.
Ø Winterize Winterization should be done in the first or second week of October every year. Sudden weather changes could cost you thousands of dollars if your RV is not ready for winter. The tanks should all be emptied and your drains covered to prevent insects from entering your water system.
Ø Roof Your roof should be cleaned at least four times a year and inspected for cracks or rips from natural wear and tear in your caulking and sealing. It is much better to catch and prevent a possible leak before it begins, than to spoil a sound roof and cause untold amounts of damage to the interior of your RV from water. If you are storing your RV outside make sure that after a heavy snowfall you remove the snow accumulation to avoid the stress of added weight on your roof. It is recommended that you do not use a shovel as it can cause more damage, at The Hitch House we use a brush. Roof vents become very brittle in the cold weather. We recommend that MaxAir vents are installed over your roof vents, so you do not accidentally put your foot through one and have the cost of replacing it.
Ø Hot Water Heater/Furnace For safety it is a good idea to make sure that your hot water heater and furnace outlets are both cleaned out for winter. Insects love to build homes in these areas in the fall of the year. If you are not using your RV, all outlets should be covered while it is sitting idle. If you light the furnace or hot water heater and it happens to be full of insects it will cause a terrible smell, or worse, a fire.
Ø Smoke Alarms/Carbon Monoxide Detectors All batteries should be removed in the winter while the RV is not in use to avoid leakage and replaced with new ones in the spring.
Ø Batteries If possible the engine and coach batteries should be removed from your RV in the winter months to avoid freezing. They should be stored on a plank of wood in the basement of your home or someplace which has a consistent temperature above freezing. If it is not possible for you to remove your battery we recommend starting your RV and allowing it to run for approximately one hour every week or every other week. Engine battery - If you are camped or parked for an extended period of time it is recommended that you make use of a 2 amp charger. Please hook the charger up once a month to your engine battery and allow it to charge for 24 hours.
Ø Generators While not in use your generator should be started at least twice a month and allowed to run for approximately 2 hours. This will prevent corrosion and potential electrical problems. The oil and filter should be changed every fifty hours or once a year. We also recommend the same maintenance schedule for your plugs and air filter.
Ø Appliances All appliances should be completely and thoroughly checked after a long period of storage or before a long trip. Carbon monoxide fumes, undetectable by the human nose, can have fatal results. An LP leak detector test is also highly recommended.
Ø Electric Steps It is recommended that electric steps be lubricated once a month with Kwik Lube Spray Grease. If this is not done the electric steps may seize and the warranty may be null and void. We also recommend that after driving in any type of weather where salt or sand may be used your steps must be hosed off to prevent any build up. This action will protect the life of your electric steps.
Ø Fuel Filters It is recommended that fuel filters be changed every 20,000 kms. We personally recommend that they be changed every year if the mileage recommendation has not been accumulated. A clogged fuel filter can lead to fuel pump failure causing your motorhome to leave you stranded on the side of the road.
Ø Tires Tires should be covered in order to protect them from the sun's harmful rays which can cause cracks in the wall of the tire. It would be a shame to incur the expense of new tires from neglect rather than use.
All of the above preventative measures can be performed by our qualified service technicians here at The Hitch House or if you are handy you are welcome to purchase the products from our Accessory Store and perform the work yourself.
For more information or to book an appointment please email our Service Department at service@thehitchhouse.com or contact us at 1 705 722 0008 or toll free at 1 877 722 0638.