GMC Motorhome Winterizing
- Thread starter rbm1733
- Start date
>
> Does any one have a complete checklist for
> winter shutdown and storage.
> Thanks
There may be one in the back of the owner's manual. I'll check tonight.
Main thing is to get all the water out of the plumbing. If you're north
of the Mason-Dixon and the coach is stored outside, you might want to
consider removing the batteries and storing them inside on a trickle
charger. Being in the south, I like to take mine out and drive it about
twice a month. Clean the fridge and block its door open and remove all
food(no sense attracting destructive pests) from the cabinets. Change
the oil and top off the fuel tanks(full tanks are less prone to moisture
condensation).
I've heard that it's better to deflate the air springs instead of
leaving pressure on them all winter, so I back my rear wheels onto
blocks and squat the rear suspension.
That's what comes to mind right now. I'm sure I've left something out.
Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailto
atri63
The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com
> Does any one have a complete checklist for
> winter shutdown and storage.
> Thanks
There may be one in the back of the owner's manual. I'll check tonight.
Main thing is to get all the water out of the plumbing. If you're north
of the Mason-Dixon and the coach is stored outside, you might want to
consider removing the batteries and storing them inside on a trickle
charger. Being in the south, I like to take mine out and drive it about
twice a month. Clean the fridge and block its door open and remove all
food(no sense attracting destructive pests) from the cabinets. Change
the oil and top off the fuel tanks(full tanks are less prone to moisture
condensation).
I've heard that it's better to deflate the air springs instead of
leaving pressure on them all winter, so I back my rear wheels onto
blocks and squat the rear suspension.
That's what comes to mind right now. I'm sure I've left something out.
Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailto
atri63The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com
>Does any one have a complete checklist for
>winter shutdown and storage.
>Thanks
>
>
Very UN-OFFICAL winter check list....
According to the GMC owners manual: ( with comments by yours truely)
A: Drain water tanks ( fresh water & Black water & gray water if present)
(ALTHOUGH I leave a LITTLE bit of RV anti-freeze in black water tank,
enough to Keep the seals from drying out.)
(I use the blowing hose of a vacuum cleaner to blow out all water lines
I clean the vacuum cleaner good before I do this, cause I run it
for quite awhile to allow the hot air to help dry the line too.)
Also use the blowing hose to blow all the water from the drain traps
sink and floor.
Uncouple the toilet supply line and blow it clear, the toilet water
valve is made of plastic and it does not take much water to break it
when freezeing temps are present.
Drain all lines using petcocks if present.
MAKE sure Water Heater is OFF
B: pour a bit of RV anti-freeze into all traps (sink And shower drain)
C: Fill fuel tanks to prevent condensation.
D: Park RV on as level a spot as you can get.
E: WASH RV (external & internal CLEAN to prevent rodent problems)
(and as noted by Patrick, make sure fuel * brake lines have no road
debris trapped against the frame to cause rust & corrosion.)
F: place battery boost switch in NORMAL postion.
(batt boost postion will discharge batteries)
G: remove everything from Refrig and turn off, make sure you prop
doors open to prevent mildew.
Also remove any liquids or semi-liquids such as medicine to warmer
location.
Canned goods should be removed as well.
H: pump all water from water pump and insure the switch is OFF when
finished.
I: ventilate all drawers & cabinets
J: turn off LP tank. (I try to keep the LP tank full as well)
(RV can serve as a emergency refuge in disaster plan.)
K: place screens over roof vents, refig vents and furnace opening to
prevent insect nesting.
L: inflate tires to 60 PSI
M: insure all accessories are OFF.
N: start and run engines for 15 min, weekly
O: check all fluid levels
P: change engine oil with winter grade. Rig should be stored with
clean oil.
Q: drain condensation from air tank.
(IF you excerise the rig during the winter, run the air conditioners
if you can, to keep the seals lubed.)
IF you park outdoors.
Remove snow accumulations. however stay off the roof if possible.
I use a leaf blower with a extra long extension.
>winter shutdown and storage.
>Thanks
>
>
Very UN-OFFICAL winter check list....
According to the GMC owners manual: ( with comments by yours truely)
A: Drain water tanks ( fresh water & Black water & gray water if present)
(ALTHOUGH I leave a LITTLE bit of RV anti-freeze in black water tank,
enough to Keep the seals from drying out.)
(I use the blowing hose of a vacuum cleaner to blow out all water lines
I clean the vacuum cleaner good before I do this, cause I run it
for quite awhile to allow the hot air to help dry the line too.)
Also use the blowing hose to blow all the water from the drain traps
sink and floor.
Uncouple the toilet supply line and blow it clear, the toilet water
valve is made of plastic and it does not take much water to break it
when freezeing temps are present.
Drain all lines using petcocks if present.
MAKE sure Water Heater is OFF
B: pour a bit of RV anti-freeze into all traps (sink And shower drain)
C: Fill fuel tanks to prevent condensation.
D: Park RV on as level a spot as you can get.
E: WASH RV (external & internal CLEAN to prevent rodent problems)
(and as noted by Patrick, make sure fuel * brake lines have no road
debris trapped against the frame to cause rust & corrosion.)
F: place battery boost switch in NORMAL postion.
(batt boost postion will discharge batteries)
G: remove everything from Refrig and turn off, make sure you prop
doors open to prevent mildew.
Also remove any liquids or semi-liquids such as medicine to warmer
location.
Canned goods should be removed as well.
H: pump all water from water pump and insure the switch is OFF when
finished.
I: ventilate all drawers & cabinets
J: turn off LP tank. (I try to keep the LP tank full as well)
(RV can serve as a emergency refuge in disaster plan.)
K: place screens over roof vents, refig vents and furnace opening to
prevent insect nesting.
L: inflate tires to 60 PSI
M: insure all accessories are OFF.
N: start and run engines for 15 min, weekly
O: check all fluid levels
P: change engine oil with winter grade. Rig should be stored with
clean oil.
Q: drain condensation from air tank.
(IF you excerise the rig during the winter, run the air conditioners
if you can, to keep the seals lubed.)
IF you park outdoors.
Remove snow accumulations. however stay off the roof if possible.
I use a leaf blower with a extra long extension.
