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kohai's avatar
kohai
Explorer
Feb 21, 2015

Spring maintenance? What's on your list?

I'm almost hitting my 1 yr mark with 5th wheel. From reading this site and blogs, I am slowly building a list of recommended maintenance tasks and when they should be done.

What type of maintenance do you do in the spring?

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I'm going to try to edit this post and create a list as people recommend items.

Tires/brakes/axles:

  • EZ Lube the axles
  • Repack wheel bearings
  • Check brake adjustment
  • Inspect tires for wear, bulges, damage
  • Check tire pressure (spare tire too)
  • Tighten lug nuts


Exterior:

  • Inspect for sealant failure
  • Wash/Wax exterior
  • Slide out rubber seal lubricant, gaskets on storage compartments. (Thetford 32778 Rubber Seal Lubricant)
  • Lubricate slide mechanisms (dry lube like Protect All), at least twice a year


Misc:

  • Check battery water level with hydrometer, clean battery terminals
  • Test propane connections for leaks
  • Sanitize fresh water tank
  • Check for water leaks
  • Test all appliances on electric and gas
  • General housekeeping of interior
  • Check fire extinguisher charge
  • Change batteries on smoke detectors/co detectors, anything with batteries

16 Replies

  • Besides the checks, fixes, lubes, and restarting procedures, for me the main spring time activity is keeping the critters out of and off the unit. I hate to delay a departure because some Dove has built a nest in the pin box, or a squirrel has moved into the bumper. I wrap the hitch in chicken wire, and seal the bumper with tape, double check the underbelly for access holes created by mice and check for wasp nests.
  • Clean spark arrestor on genset.
    Flush water heater, check anode, if applicable.
    Clean refrigerator burner.
    Check all detectors- smoke, LP and CO.
    In addition to checking the charge for fire extinguishers, also turn upside down and whack to loosen dry powder.
    Lube antenna (if applicable).
    Clean A/C coils.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Looking at installing correct track to fix any axle alignment issues, wet bolts to smooth it out even more.
    We may make it through this winter with only needing to winterize once this year!
  • Argh! I have to fix the crushed drawer which wandered back out as I was closing the slide out right be fore storage last fall.
  • Annual pressurized leak test (I DIY it with my own blower), inspect for sealant failure, air it out, inspect batteries and connections (I'm anal about it and use a hydrometer), put water system back in "use" mode, operate appliances and test propane connections for leaks, check tire pressures, inspect running gear and exterior hardware (looking for any observable problems). Clean solar panel and exterior, vacuum the interior and general house keeping,

    I still have a few project type items to accomplish like installing an electric tongue jack and enclosing the drain/tank area for Winter use/heating.
  • Besides the usual bearing and break adjustment checks, it's getting new aluminum wheels. :C

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