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General Maintenance
Periodic maintenance and cleaning of your
recreational vehicle are necessary to retain the
dependability, safety and appearance that will
provide you with many miles of trouble-free
operation as well protecting your investment.
Keep good records of maintenance functions
performed and be sure to follow all owner
obligations as may be required by the chassis
manufacturer to keep your warranty in force.
It is also important to note that operating conditions
will affect service timetables. Driving in extreme
conditions, such as heavy dust, continuous short
trips, or start-and-stop heavy traffic, means that the
length of time between service appointments will be
shortened. Discuss service timetables with your
dealer.
Preventative maintenance will pay for itself many
times over by catching or preventing problems
before they occur. Many repair costs are greatly
increased by ignoring problems when they are small
ones, allowing them to build into larger problems
and possibly voiding your warranty due to neglect,
misuse, or abuse. If left unattended, small problems
may also begin to affect other parts and systems of
the recreational vehicle.
Exterior Maintenance
Some exterior parts of your camper are made of
fiberglass, metal, rubber, and plastic materials. The
finish on these parts is durable, but not
indestructible. Any material and finish will
deteriorate over time. Exposure to sunlight,
moisture, and airborne pollutants can chemically
alter the composition of the base and finish
materials and cause dulling and fading of the finish.
Generally, changes in the finish due to the weather
are cosmetic. There are on the surface of the part
and do not affect its strength. the best insurance
against these effects is routine maintenance. If the
finish is not washed thoroughly and waxed, the
surface can deteriorate very rapidly. The following
guidelines can help you reduce these weathering
effects:
Wash the exterior at least once a month using a mild
liquid detergent. Never use strong abrasives to clean
the exterior surfaces. Wash your camper in a shady
area, not in direct sunlight. If the camper is parked
in the sun, move it into the shade and let the exterior
cool down before you start. Chemical solvents and
strong cleaners can damage the siding, roofing,
metal, and plastic trims on your camper. Rinse the
camper thoroughly with cool water to remove loose
dirt. Fill a bucket with cool water. Mix in a mild
detergent, such as dishwashing liquid or a product
made especially for auto or camper washing. Wash
the camper using the water and mild detergent
solution and a soft-bristle brush, sponge, or soft
cloth. Start at the top and work your way down.
Rinse frequently. Check the surface for road tar,
tree sap, etc. Remove these stains with tar remover
or turpentine. Rinse it off immediately so it does not
harm the finish. Remember to re-wax these areas,
even if the rest of the camper does not need waxing.
When you have washed, and rinsed the whole
exterior, dry it with a chamois or soft towel. Letting
it air-dry will cause dulling and water spots. As you
dry your camper, inspect around the seals and repair
as necessary. Wax the exterior at least once a year,
preferably twice. Use automotive waxes or
cleaners/polishes developed for use on fiberglass
boats, showers, and tubs. Be sure to follow the
directions on the wax container. Some cleaners and
waxes are recommended for use on only certain
types of surfaces. Exterior streaking is reduced with
more frequent waxing. Do not use abrasive cleaners
or rubbing compounds. Always wash and dry the
whole camper before waxing it. Rubbing alcohol
can be used on caulking that show signs of
yellowing.
Exterior Graphics
The pressure sensitive vinyl graphics installed on
the exterior surface of your camper require little
maintenance and should be treated similarly to a
painted surface. The following cleaning and
maintenance recommendations should be followed
to ensure the maximum appearance and
performance of your exterior graphics.
Wash your graphics with the same solution as noted
above for washing the exterior of your camper. Be
sure to rinse thoroughly.
Test any cleaning solution on a small section of the
graphic before using the cleaning solution on a
larger surface. A non-abrasive cleaner, suitable for
high quality painted surfaces, is recommended. The
