General Information
Periodic maintenance of your tent camper is necessary
not only to protect your investment, but also to retain the
dependability, safety, and appearance that will provide
you with many seasons of trouble-free operation. Pre-
ventative maintenance will pay for itself many times over
by preventing problems before they occur.
Many repair costs are greatly increased by ignoring small
problems, which can affect other parts and/or systems of
your tent camper.
If a situation arises involving a maintenance or cleaning
activity and you are unsure of the proper procedure, con-
tact your dealer. It is our goal to help keep you informed,
and help you understand how to keep your tent camper
properly maintained.
Exterior
Fiberglass and Aluminum Siding
The care of all fiberglass and aluminum siding is essen-
tially the same care as automotive finish.
•
Wash your tent camper on a regular basis, using
warm water and a mild detergent.
•
Take care to avoid spraying water directly into the
furnace or refrigerator vents (if so equipped) when
washing the tent camper.
•
Remove bird droppings, tree sap, insects, and tar,
as soon as possible, to avoid staining the camper
finish.
•
Wash and wax fiberglass and aluminum at least
three times a year with an automotive type liquid or
paste wax. Follow the directions for use as outlined
by the product manufacturer. When washing and
waxing your camper, do so out of the hot sun and
when the exterior surfaces are cool. Storing the tent
camper out of the direct sun is an excellent way to
help preserve exterior finishes.
Any finish will deteriorate with time. Dulling and fading
can be increased by exposure to extreme sunlight, air
pollutants, and excessive moisture. Surface weathering
of fiberglass does not change the strength of the
fiberglass.
Regularly washing the exterior surface is the best insur-
ance against deterioration, such as fading, yellowing, or
chalking.
If surface deterioration has occurred, check with your
dealer for the steps required to restore the finish. In
extreme cases, buffing or painting may be necessary.
Small cracks in the fiberglass can usually be repaired by
using a fiberglass filler. Allow the filler to harden, sand,
then repaint with gelcoat. (Check with your dealer for fur-
ther instructions and product information.)
To avoid moisture from entering through breaks, physical
damage to fiberglass or aluminum should be repaired
immediately before possibly causing problems with inte-
rior walls and components. Cover breaks in the sidewall
with plastic, sealing the edges with tape until proper
repairs can be made.
CAUTION
Do not use rubbing compound or any abrasive
cleaner or cloth on the camper. If using a tar or
insect remover, be sure it is safe for use on
painted surfaces.
Seals and Adhesives
It is important to maintain the seals and adhesives on
your tent camper. Doing so will help prevent moisture
from entering and destroying tent camper components.
When washing your tent camper, inspect the seals and
body moldings for signs of drying out and wear. Be
aware that weather, sun, and road vibration will have an
effect on seals, causing them to dry, crack, or separate.
Check the camper’s condition at least twice a year.
Clean off all dirt, and check for cracks in the sealant
around the vents and extrusions. Use a polyurethane
sealant, or a marine type caulk, to reseal if needed.
NOTE:
It is important to frequently check the seals in order to
help prevent moisture from entering the camper, causing
rot, mold and mildew. This is especially important for
campers being stored outside. If you are unsure how to
perform the seal maintenance, consult your dealer for
the correct method for renewing the seals, or, if you pre-
fer, have your dealer perform the seal maintenance for
you.
W ARNING
Under the terms of your tent camper warranty, fail-
ure to maintain tent camper seals, through regular
maintenance, can lead to severe damage of tent
camper components and may be considered
neglect or abusive treatment. Under those condi-
tions, damages of this nature are not warrantable.
Frame
Check the condition of the frame regularly. To help avoid
rust, keep the frame clean and repaint as necessary. It is
important to keep underbody components clean espe-
cially if you are towing the tent camper in the winter in
areas where road salt is used.
Care And Maintenance
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Summary of Contents for Coachmen Clipper
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