motorhome care
174
motorhome care
175
use petrol or other chemicals.
Note: The use of a pressure washer on
the exterior of your motorhome is not
recommended as this may damage the transfers.
ConDEnSATIon
What is condensation?
Condensation is the change of water from
its gaseous form (water vapour) into liquid
water. Condensation generally occurs in the
atmosphere when warm air rises, cools and
looses its capacity to hold water vapour. As
a result, excess water vapour condenses to
form droplets.
Why condensation occurs
Condensation occurs when warm moist air
meets a cold surface. The risk of condensation
therefore depends upon how moist the air
is and how cold the surfaces of the vehicle
are. Both of these depend to some extent
on how the vehicle is used. In a Caravan or
Motorhome with a cold outside wall, if the
temperature of the wall falls below the dew
point temperature, it is quite normal for
condensation to occur predominantly on the
external walls.
When condensation occurs
Condensation occurs usually in winter, because
the Caravan or Motorhome is cold and because
skylights, windows and doors are opened less
and therefore the moist air cannot escape.
How condensation occurs
Condensation occurs often for short periods
in bathroom and kitchen areas because of
the steamy atmosphere, and quite frequently
for long periods in unheated areas; it also
occurs in cupboards or corners of rooms where
ventilation and movement of air is restricted.
What is important
Two things are particularly important:
-
To provide ventilation so that moist air
can escape.
-
To use the heating reasonably.
How can you prevent condensation
Provide ventilation so that moist air can escape.
a) Good ventilation of kitchens when
washing, cooking or drying damp clothes
is essential. Use the electric element of
the space heater will help, when washing,
cooking, or drying damp clothes, and
particularly when the windows show signs
of misting up.
b) If there is no mains electric supply and
therefore you cannot use the electrical
element of the space heater, open the
skylights or windows slightly, but keep the
door closed as much as possible.
c) After showering, keep the bathroom
window or skylights open, and shut the
bathroom door long enough to dry off
the room.
d) In all other areas provide some ventilation.
Fixed ventilation is provided in accordance
with BS EN 721: 1998 this is through
skylights and ‘heki roof lights’ in the roofs
and from ventilators through the floor
under cookers, motorhome step well,
doors and in bed boxes it is important not
to block these.
Too much ventilation in cold weather is
uncomfortable and wastes heat. All that is
needed is a very slightly opened window
or skylights. Opening a skylight or ‘Heki;
rooflights partially or windows opened
to about 1cm opening will usually be
sufficient.
Provide reasonable heating
a) Do not use portable paraffin or flueless gas
heaters at all.
b) If drying damp clothes or towels, open a
window enough to ventilate the area
and turn on the electric element of the
space heater but do not hang items over
the heater.
c) Try to make sure that all areas are at least
partially heated. Condensation most often
occurs in unheated areas.
d) To prevent condensation, the heat has to
keep room surfaces reasonably warm. It
can take a long time for a cold caravan or
Motorhome to warm up, so it is better to
have a small amount of heat for a long
period than a lot of heat for a short time.
e) Caravans and Motorhomes are left
This is probably an opportune moment to
arrange for the Motorhome to have its annual
service at your appointed dealer.
The following applies whenever your
Motorhome is stored particularly during the
winter months.
Do not park near trees or larch type fences,
due to possible wind damage.
Keep any grass around the floor of the
Motorhome short, to maintain air flow and
stop any possible damp getting into the
Caravan or Motorhome.
It is advised that the Motorhome is ventilated
regularly throughout the winterisation /storage
period, opening windows, doors and rooflights
when possible.
GEnERAL
for care of the vehicle battery please
refer to the Peugeot handbook in section
‘Trouble Shooting’.
All moving parts should be checked for
free operation.
Clean all cooking appliances and refrigerator.
Lubrication should be carried out at the
points illustrated in the general notes on
chassis maintenance.
Charge up the on-board battery every 2 months.
Leave the refrigerator door open. Leave
furniture doors and lockers open to allow air to
circulate fully.
Modifications - DIY work
Owners need to be aware that carrying out DIY
modifications to your caravan or motorhome
may in certain instances, invalidate the
warranty cover and could also affect the safety
and structure of the vehicle.
WD40 IS noT RECoMMEnDED foR
ExTERnAL oR InTERnAL USE
WD40 attacks paintwork and sealants. If a
lubricant is required for Interior hinges, Sliding
door tracks, Bottle box hinges, Exterior door
hinges, Plastic tracking etc. We recommend
“Ambersil 40+” this is readily available from
most DIY/Automotive retailers including Halford’s
Before carrying out any DIY work within the
warranty period, please check with your nearest
Autocruise dealer or contact Customer Services
on 01709 571411 for advice.
Paintwork
The exterior of your coach built motor home is
finished with glass reinforced plastic (GRP) sheet
that is very durable and easy to clean owing
to its smooth finish. If cared for properly, the
GRP will retain its showroom finish. Proper care
involves washing the motorhome regularly with
a mild detergent rinsing with cold water and
leathering off. A good quality, similar coloured
car wax may also be applied which will make
washing even easier.
Please note: Do not use abrasive cleaning
agents, on the exterior of your motorhome.
Stubborn stains may be removed using a soft
cloth and mild detergent.
WARnInG: overzealous use of detergents
may loosen the decals and/or badges.
Mouldings
All mouldings are anodised aluminium and will
retain their lustre for a long period if no abrasive
materials are used on them. If your motor home
is subject to constant changes in temperature,
mastic may seep from the joints between the
mouldings. Excess mastic that appears can be
removed by wiping with a soft cloth.
Acrylic Windows
The windows in your motorhome are fully
double glazed and, with care, will remain
sparkling and scratch free.
Keeping Your Acrylic Windows Sparkling
For small scratches, it is possible to use a liquid
metal polish or a proprietary acrylic polish of
a suitable grade dependant on the severity of
the scratches.
Cleaning Windows
Wash down as you would your car. Do not use
a sponge on dirty windows. When all the dirt
has been removed, dry with a leather or similar
type of cloth. The catches and stays do not
require lubricating.
Removing Tar
Use a proprietary tar remover on your double
glazed windows; (available from most leading
car accessory or do-it-yourself shops). Do not
winterisation/storage
