Archive - Aluminium Camper Forum

Camplite => Camplite General Q & A => Topic started by: leslie on September 06, 2014, 02:24:49 PM

Title: maintenance schedule
Post by: leslie on September 06, 2014, 02:24:49 PM
OK, I went through the owner's manual, and set up a maintenance schedule. Please look it over and let me know if you do all of this.

Before each trip
Check cold tires - pressure, bulges or cracks
Wheels properly torqued
Check LP gas system

Before and after long trips
Dealer inspects LP gas system

Every 50 miles for next 500 miles for new tires
Wheels properly torqued

Monthly
Inspect fire extinguisher
Clean and lubricate around pivot points of entry steps - no silicone or WD-40

Every 3 months
Check caulking - vents, windows, seams
Inspect LP gas system
Check gas regulator - 11 inches water column

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles

Periodically
Ball hitch - lubricate - lithium grease
Lubricate breakaway tether pin
Wash awning with soapy water

Annually
Grease wheel bearings - inspect hubs
Sanitize water system
Check water system for leaks and loose connections
Have dealer inspect LP gas system
Lubricate locking cylinder of entry door using powdered graphite
Grease face of lock bolt of entry door with white lithium grease
Lubricate hinges of entry door with high - quality dry spray lubricant



After 11 months of ownership, just before the warranty expires, have the dealer perform a thorough inspection so that any work done comes in under warranty.

Replace LP gas hoses every 2 - 3 years
Title: maintenance schedule
Post by: david on September 06, 2014, 04:07:24 PM
[p]Here us a tip from the boating industry that will let you check your LP system your self and save money.

Buy an LPG test gauge. Here are two, one from Trident and one from Firboy- $50-60. [a href="http://search.defender.com/?expression=lpg+pressure+gauge&x=0&y=0"]http://search.defender.com/?expression=lpg+pressure+gauge&x=0&y=0[/a] and another from Camping World for $26. http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/propane-gas-gauge-leak-detector/75702

Install the adapter, turn on the gas for a few seconds and note the pressure. Then close the tank valve and watch the pressure. If it doesn't drop in an hour or so then there are no leaks. If you want to be absolutely sure of no leaks (and the above test will take a while to show a small one) then daub soap solution on each joint: water heater, stove, furnace, refrigerator.

I would love to know if any dealer does all of the above ;-).[/p][p]
[/p][p]Also replacing LPG hoses every 2-3 years sounds excessive. Maybe the first hose from the tank to ??? as it is exposed to UV light, but not the rest. You can get them made up by your local LPG supplier at a fraction of what Camping World or ??? will charge.

David[/p]
Title: maintenance schedule
Post by: pinstriper on September 06, 2014, 04:17:12 PM
[quote source="/post/3343/thread" timestamp="1410024289" author="@leslie"]OK, I went through the owner's manual, and set up a maintenance schedule. Please look it over and let me know if you do all of this.

Before each trip
Check cold tires - pressure, bulges or cracks [strong][font color="#1979e6"]No, but should[/font][/strong]
Wheels properly torqued [strong][font color="#1979e6"]Nope[/font][/strong]
Check LP gas system [strong][font color="#1979e6"]I turn the thing on at the campsite and off at all other times. Not sure what else to check.[/font][/strong]

Before and after long trips
Dealer inspects LP gas system [strong][font color="#1979e6"]Nope. Guess I might - please define "long". Cross-country summer odyssey ?[/font][/strong]

Every 50 miles for next 500 miles for new tires
Wheels properly torqued [strong][font color="#1979e6"]Yep. Drove it back and forth to the dealer twice, they retorqued.[/font][/strong]

Monthly
Inspect fire extinguisher [strong][font color="#1979e6"]I glance at the charge indicator every once in a while in passing[/font][/strong]
Clean and lubricate around pivot points of entry steps - no silicone or WD-40 [strong][font color="#1979e6"]Never thought of this. I don't see the need.[/font][/strong]

Every 3 months
Check caulking - vents, windows, seams [strong][font color="#1979e6"]Once a year[/font][/strong]
Inspect LP gas system [strong][font color="#1979e6"]Nope[/font][/strong]
Check gas regulator - 11 inches water column [strong][font color="#1979e6"]Nope[/font][/strong]

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles [strong][font color="#1979e6"]Good idea.[/font][/strong]

Periodically
Ball hitch - lubricate - lithium grease [strong][font color="#1979e6"]As needed.[/font][/strong]
Lubricate breakaway tether pin [strong][font color="#1979e6"]I wouldn't know what to lube.[/font][/strong]
Wash awning with soapy water [strong][font color="#1979e6"]I see doing this once a year, along with a good exterior wash.[/font][/strong]

Annually
Grease wheel bearings - inspect hubs [strong][font color="#1979e6"]I can see letting the dealer do this at the beginning of the season.[/font][/strong]
Sanitize water system [strong][font color="#1979e6"]Right now, no. I will probably move to a 30-60 day schedule if we start dry camping.[/font][/strong]
Check water system for leaks and loose connections [strong][font color="#1979e6"]Nope[/font][/strong]
Have dealer inspect LP gas system [strong][font color="#1979e6"]Nope. I guess an annual service by the dealer is a good idea. They can lube the bearings and do other inspection work at the same time. Maybe time this with them doing the winterizing.[/font][/strong]
Lubricate locking cylinder of entry door using powdered graphite [strong][font color="#1979e6"]Nope[/font][/strong]
Grease face of lock bolt of entry door with white lithium grease [strong][font color="#1979e6"]Nope[/font][/strong]
Lubricate hinges of entry door with high - quality dry spray lubricant [strong][font color="#1979e6"]When it squeaks, it gets oiled.[/font][/strong]

Replace LP gas hoses every 2 - 3 years [strong][font color="#1979e6"]Is this the recommendation ?[/font][/strong]
[/quote]
Title: maintenance schedule
Post by: leslie on September 06, 2014, 04:27:10 PM
David said:

"Buy an LPG test gauge. Here are two, one from Trident and one from Firboy- $50-60. [a href="http://search.defender.com/?expression=lpg+pressure+gauge&x=0&y=0"]http://search.defender.com/?expression=lpg+pressure+gauge&x=0&y=0[/a] and another from Camping World for $26. http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/propane-gas-gauge-leak-detector/75702

Install the adapter, turn on the gas for a few seconds and note the pressure. Then close the tank valve and watch the pressure. If it doesn't drop in an hour or so then there are no leaks. If you want to be absolutely sure of no leaks (and the above test will take a while to show a small one) then daub soap solution on each joint: water heater, stove, furnace, refrigerator."

Thanks David. I didn't have a clue about how to do this. I imagine the dealer will do just about anything you pay them to do.
Title: maintenance schedule
Post by: leslie on September 06, 2014, 04:34:03 PM
Pinstriper, my thoughts about this list are much like yours. What does LL define a long trip to be?

Some of these things - I don't even know what they are. I am going to take this list with me when I take delivery of my camper.
Title: maintenance schedule
Post by: charliem on September 06, 2014, 04:53:03 PM
[quote source="/post/3345/thread" timestamp="1410030444" author="@david"][p]
Buy an LPG test gauge. Here are two, one from Trident and one from Firboy- $50-60. [a href="http://search.defender.com/?expression=lpg+pressure+gauge&x=0&y=0"]http://search.defender.com/?expression=lpg+pressure+gauge&x=0&y=0[/a] and another from Camping World for $26. http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/propane-gas-gauge-leak-detector/75702

Install the adapter, turn on the gas for a few seconds and note the pressure. Then close the tank valve and watch the pressure. If it doesn't drop in an hour or so then there are no leaks. If you want to be absolutely sure of no leaks (and the above test will take a while to show a small one) then daub soap solution on each joint: water heater, stove, furnace, refrigerator.


David[/p][/quote][font size="3"]Good idea for leak testing. Those gauges are worthless for determining propane level because pressure is constant until empty, but the pressure test is a valid and clever use. Thanks.
[/font]
Title: maintenance schedule
Post by: pinstriper on September 06, 2014, 08:52:38 PM
[quote source="/post/3348/thread" timestamp="1410032043" author="@leslie"]Pinstriper, my thoughts about this list are much like yours. What does LL define a long trip to be?

Some of these things - I don't even know what they are. I am going to take this list with me when I take delivery of my camper. [/quote][p]Delivery of which one ? The winter one or the summer unit ? (makes innocent blank expression)[/p][p]
[/p]
Title: maintenance schedule
Post by: leslie on September 06, 2014, 09:02:40 PM
LOL! The One And Only All Season One!For which team did you play?