Gulf Stream Indiana, Owner'S Manual

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WARNING: SOME AWNINGS CONTAIN PINCH POINTS, WHICH IF USED IMPROPERLY CAN CAUSE
INJURY. PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED WITH YOUR
AWNING(S).
AWNING CARE
Be sure to clean off all debris as you roll up your awnings. Periodically wash off the awning fabric with a soapy water
solution. Long term exposure to the sun may cause some fading over time, which is normal. Harsh exposure can
cause the awning fabric to delaminate.
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
Generally, sealants are designed to last more than a few years, however, the varying weather conditions across the
country can breakdown those sealants in as little as 1 year. Some sealants applied in the spring must be touched up
again in the fall, and in the windshield area on a bi-monthly basis.
WINDSHIELD
The windshield is probably subjected to the worse conditions, and therefore will require more maintenance. If the
windshield leaks, a good urethane adhesive designed for installing windshields is recommended for application under
the rubber gasket, followed up by a small silicone seal where the gasket lays on the windshield.
ROOF
Probably the most important area to check for proper seals, is the roof. When accessing the roof use extreme
caution and avoid walking on areas near the roof air conditioner ducting. While it is ok to walk in these areas and a
slight dipping may be visible, this does not indicate a structural problem with the roof. Generally, this area should be
checked at least twice a year. If you find any area that looks questionable, reseal it. The sealant that you should use
depends on what type has already been applied. Most roofs used on RV’s today use a sealant that is “Self-Leveling,”
or gradually spreads out up to an hour after it is applied. Before this type of sealant is applied it may be necessary to
remove all sealant in the questionable area, as this will ensure that the new sealant will get a good seal when applied.
Due to the fact that this sealant tries to settle after it is applied, it is not recommended for application in areas that
travel over the edge of the roof. In these areas a good silicone sealant of the same color will perform the task at hand.
SIDEWALL TRIM AND COMPONENT SEALANTS
Other areas that will need attention include the moldings used on the side walls and the compartment door edge
moldings. Since these areas are more accessible for periodical checks, It is recommended to inspect the side walls
and compartment doors every time you wash your vehicle. Sometimes washing the side walls can actually remove
some necessary sealants. If you find an area on your side walls that needs resealed, a clear silicone, or one that
matches the color of your side walls should be used. When resealing compartment doors, only a clear silicone sealant
is recommended, as these doors are usually painted and the color would be difficult to match.
The last few areas that might need attention are those around the clearance lights, tail lights, rear view mirrors, and
around accessories and windows. All these areas can be resealed using a common silicone based sealant/adhesive.
However, when sealing windows and the base of rear view mirrors, be careful as to keep from sealing over any weep
holes. These holes are designed to drain any water that may have found its way to the inside of a window or mirror.
Keeping up on the maintenance of your sealants will keep your RV looking beautiful for a long time. If you are not
sure what types of sealants should be used on any part of your RV, a simple phone call to your local dealer for
direction will prove beneficial.