Dewinterizing reminder

[AlmostThere]

Just bringing this up again as a reminder. This is from Good Sams.

Preparing for Spring Travel: De-winterizing Your Rig


For those of us who have put our RVs into hibernation over the winter months, spring is an exciting time because — as Willie Nelson so appropriately sang — we "just can't wait to get on the road again."

Ideally, we did a stellar job preparing our RVs systems of winter storage, ensuring that the de-winterization process will be simple. However, since we are all human, it's possible to have skipped a step or worse — skipped the winterization process altogether. This means preparing your rig for spring travel may take additional work — even perhaps fixing some damage.

Here are some quick steps to help evaluate how your RV weathered the winter:

First Look: Inspect inside the coach for water leaks — ceiling or paneling stains — and animal infestation. Even if no water leakage is evident, check the roof for areas where the sealant may have shrunk around vents and other seams. Once you have thoroughly checked for leaks and none are evident, wash and wax your RV. You may also want to apply a petroleum distillate-free protectant in areas including rubber roofs, tires, moldings, and plastics.


Freshwater System: If you used non-toxic RV antifreeze, drain it as thoroughly as possible via low-point drains, the water heater drain, and tank drains. Return the water-heater bypass to the operational position, and flush the system thoroughly with fresh water via the water pump and the city water connection.


Electrical Systems and Appliances: If the batteries have been on a converter or trickle charger, they should be ready for the road. To be safe, just check electrolyte levels (if applicable) and make sure there's no corrosion on the battery connectors. If everything looks good, connect the shore power cord, and operate all appliances — use a 30-amp (or higher) service to test the A/C. Next, use a polarity checker to ensure all wall outlets are functional.


LP-gas: After prolonged storage with the LP-gas supply turned off, the gas lines will be full of air. To purge, open the LP-gas tank or cylinder service valve, then light a stove burner (this may require you to hold a flame next to the burner up to 30 seconds as air escapes). With the burner flame continuing, turn the refrigerator to gas, and check to ensure the flame is lit. Repeat this for the water heater and furnace. If you suspect a leak in the lines, you can use wipe soapy water over the lines to confirm — bubbles will form where leaks exist for easy detection.


Running Gear: During storage, tires gradually lose inflation. Re-inflate to prescribed levels for safe travel — when in doubt use the pressure value listed on the tire sidewall. Motorhome owners may opt to inflate tires according to load/inflation tables, when such figures are available. This approach may improve ride quality, and must be used with accurate weight figures for safe travel. You may also want to add 10 psi as a safety margin.

[mitch5252]

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Great reminders!

I was dewinterizing the Mobile Marlin 2 days ago and had filled the fresh water tank with water so I could add a little bleach.

Went in and out of the trailer and once back outside, I smelled rotten eggs (sulphur), and said to myself, "Man, I hope that's not MY water that stinks like that..." and let it go at that. Came back outside from the house and smelled it again. Then it hit me - GAS!

I took the cover off the tanks and made sure all the connections were tight (they were). Went inside to light the stove, crossed my fingers that I'd wouldn't be blown to Kingdom Come, and after a little sputtering, both burners lit just fine. Furnace works, too.

Can't smell the sulphur any more. What could have caused it, and is it something I should check out further or be concerned about? (although Kingdome Come these days has a certain appeal... )


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[avalen]

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I smelled rotten eggs (sulphur), and said to myself, "Man, I hope that's not MY water that stinks like that..." and let it go at that. Came back outside from the house and smelled it again. Then it hit me - GAS!

Can't smell the sulphur any more. What could have caused it, and is it something I should check out further or be concerned about? (although Kingdome Come these days has a certain appeal... )

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that rotten egg smell .....batteries overcharging..boiling over?
when our buses at work put out that rotten egg smell it is the batteries overcharging.

[OutandAbout]

Thanks Lenora. Good post. I'll have to charge the battery. I'll get to use my new toy that fills the battery levels to the correct level through a syphon from the distilled water bottle. Then I can plug the camper in. Linda

[Bethers]

Mitch, Check your fridge - that it's not leaking - but that's more of an ammonia smell. God that was bad when mine went.

It's possible that the water system let off a smell when you opened up all the drains initially. Running water through all of them might have cleared it. I don't know if that was a sulphur smell - but similar - when it happened to me.