Class A - How often should it be driven?

Daveinet wrote:

darsben wrote:
I exercise my generator every month and run the engine in the MH every month.

Do you drive it down the road, or just run it? IF you do not drive it 15 to 20 miles each time, you are doing more damage than good. The engine and transmission needs to get hot enough to equalize the temp throughout the whole engine and then maintain that temp to burn any condensation out. You also need to do this for your tires. The tires have emulsifiers that are released from flexing the rubber. Again, that stuff needs to get worked around. It would be nice to get caught in a few rain storms while you have it out, so you get the sea salt washed off, especially if you are camped near the coast.

I do not drive it but I let it warm up to operating temperature every month. My MH sits for 3-4 months at a time. Tires are covered with plywood.

I run mine every 30 days for about a 10-15 mile drive, cycle the slides, cycle the jacks and if time permits run the generator.;)

rollindowntheroad wrote:
When I retire I want to full time in an RV, just haven't figured out which type yet. How often should a Class A motorhome be driven? I am not planning on driving across the country. I am thinking about staying in Florida (where I currently live) and moving around every month to two months. Have been looking at gas models in the 35' range. I am by myself. When I do move locations it would be probably be in the 200 - 400 mile range.

Thanks for your input!

For this limited use and cost, you could get a very large fifth wheel trailer and pay to have it moved, thus allowing you to own an economical car. If space isn't a concern, then maybe an ultra light TT that you can pull with a half ton pickup truck, thus allowing you some extra carry room and still not having too much for a dinghy.
Driving it some every month or so shouldn't be a problem, but consider your depreciation per mile and probably the largest cost for ownership. We're constantly on the move, so our cost per mile when on the road is fairly high vs our DPM.

First: Your plan is good.. It should not cause any problems provided your moves are long enough (30-min to an hour minimum travel time)

To answer your question: Motor vehicles, ALL motor vehicles need to be driven, or, need to be properly mothballed.. In the case of a motor home before you retire "As often as possible" (However this is more due to your need to "Get away from it all" than the needs of the vehicle).

The Generator should run at least 1/2 hour every month under load (1/2 as well) but the main engine can go 2-3 months provided you have a bi-directional battery isolator (one that keeps the chassis battery charged while parked).

That is really the only fly is the chassis battery on many older rigs goes flat fairly quickly if not charged. If this turns out to be the case.. (if you do not have a bi-directional isolator) then there are options.. Post for the list.

Suggestion #2:

The US is divided into basically 4 parts.
Contential 48 (49 if you count DC) Alaska, Hawaii and Poessions.

Your Class A is good for the lower 48 (You might wish to avoid DC with the motor home just park outside and drive the towed in) and many have driven an A to Alaska as well.

Hawaii and the possessions it's not so good (You need to rent a parking spot on a boat) but you really should re-think that "Stay in FL" part. Lots of beautiful places in this country are not in FL.. I mean, Two of the worlds most fantastic water falls are not in Fl, The Grand Canyon is not in FL. The tallest pine trees are not in FL. And that is to name just 3 (Well 4) attractions... I have seen the water, the trees and the GC, among many other sights and places.

(But then there is an exhibit in Greenfield Village (A museum of American History in Dearborn MI) that I used to pass every day on my way to school before they moved it to the Village).

You will be just fine in not driving a motorhome a lot of miles. I own a Winnebago 35-U, and all you have to do is use synthetic 5W-30W motor oil and change the motor oil and filter once a year. I use StaBil fuel stabilizer in my fuel tank (it prolongs the life of your fuel and will not allow the fuel to break down as fast). Lastly, start your engine every 14 days and let it idle for 15 minutes. I've done this with success when I'm RVing in a RV Resort in Arizona for 6 months in one place. This is what works for me when, I'm not putting miles on my RV and I've been RVing since 1976 if your interested in knowing that!

darsben wrote:
I exercise my generator every month and run the engine in the MH every month.

Do you drive it down the road, or just run it? IF you do not drive it 15 to 20 miles each time, you are doing more damage than good. The engine and transmission needs to get hot enough to equalize the temp throughout the whole engine and then maintain that temp to burn any condensation out. You also need to do this for your tires. The tires have emulsifiers that are released from flexing the rubber. Again, that stuff needs to get worked around. It would be nice to get caught in a few rain storms while you have it out, so you get the sea salt washed off, especially if you are camped near the coast.

I've thought about full timing at some point in the future. I'll do it in a motorhome mainly because we like the motorhome and I doubt I'll stay in one place for very long. If I planned to follow the weather and stay in one spot for months at a time, I'd get a trailer.

I exercise my generator every month and run the engine in the MH every month.

Nvr*lost wrote:
I don't think you need stabilizer if you are starting your engine every month or two, even if it just sits still, run the engine and let the fluids move.

Don't forget that the gas in the tank will be aging if they just start it and let it run without refreshing the tank once in a while.

I don't think you need stabilizer if you are starting your engine every month or two, even if it just sits still, run the engine and let the fluids move. Also run the generator every month for a good 30 minutes under heavy load (like a/c). Since you are in Florida, you will want to cover your tires as the heat and sun will dry out the sidewalls if exposed to sun directly. My Class C sat for months from November until April without being moved and suffered no ill effects. When you do move it, give the throttle a good push to help blow out the carbon and clean the valves.