SECTION 10 –
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
10-12
VEHICLE STORAGE –
PREPARATION
Properly preparing your vehicle for storage
will lessen the possibility of damage to your
vehicle. Prepare the motorhome for vacancy just
as you would if you were leaving your house for
an extended period.
Clean and Prep Motorhome for
Storage
1. Turn off the propane gas tank.
2. Turn the furnace thermostat switch OFF.
3.
Remove all foods and items that may cause
odors from cabinets and refrigerator.
4. Clean and defrost the refrigerator. Prop the
door open slightly to allow any odors to
dissipate. Place an open box of baking soda
inside the refrigerator to help absorb odors.
5.
Fully charge the chassis battery. Batteries
must have at least 80% charge to survive
freezing temperatures and long period of
non-use.
We recommend that you connect a
battery charger once a month during long-
term storage periods to maintain battery
charge and to avoid sulfating.
6. See “Pure
3
DC System (Volta)” in
Section 6 -
Electrical
for instructions on storage of Pure
3
battery system.
7. Have the vehicle chassis completely serviced
and lubricated. Be sure radiator antifreeze
protection level is sufficient for the lowest
anticipated temperatures.
See the chassis manual located in your
InfoCase for further information.
8. Wash and wax the motorhome.
9. Inspect all seams and seals around doors,
windows, vents, and any other joints. Replace
or repair any that are damaged. Sealing
materials and compounds can be purchased
from your dealer. Badly damaged weather
seals may need to be replaced by your dealer.
10. Close all windows and roof vents. Protect all
appliance vent openings from contamination
by animals or insects (e.g. bird nest, wasp
nests, etc.)
11. Lubricate all door hinges and locks.
12. Clean the interior of the motorhome. Dirt and
stains are more easily removed when fresh.
13. Follow “Vehicle - Leaving in Storage”
suggestion in chassis owner’s manual
included in your InfoCase.
If you are storing your vehicle through the
winter, or in cold climates, extra preparations
must be made to protect equipment and systems
that can be damaged by freezing temperatures.
See “Winterizing Procedure” in
Section 7 -
Plumbing
.
VEHICLE STORAGE –
REMOVAL
1. Completely air out the motorhome.
2. Have the entire LP gas system checked for
leaks.
3. Check window operation.
4. Check cabinet and door hinges. Lubricate
with penetrating oil, if necessary.
5. Close all faucets and drain valves that are
open.
6. Add a few gallons of water to the fresh water
tank and turn on the water pump to check for
leaks, especially at fittings.
7. Open all faucets in turn to release trapped air
and check to be sure faucet washers have not
hardened during storage.
8. Sanitize the water system as outlined under
Disinfecting the Fresh Water System
in the
Plumbing section, then flush the waterlines
thoroughly with fresh water.
9. After flushing fresh waterlines, install a new
water filter cartridge on the galley sink water
filter. See appropriate filter installation
instructions in Plumbing section.
NOTE: Always purge a new filter with clean
running water before using. See filter
manufacturer’s directions included with
the filter cartridge.
10. Check the toilet for proper operation.
