Do you run your RV periodically during the winter?

[gmacklem]

I am off this week so I went and checked on my Sunseeker. My brother found a leak at one of his windows on his Thor so I wanted to check mine. Fortunately everything was just like I left it. Since I was there I drove the RV and ran the generator for nearly an hour. I plan to do this a couple more times until camping season starts again.

Does anyone else do this?

[GL1800Rider]

Onan recommends running the generator under 2/3 load for an hour each month. If I don't camp each month I at least start it or drive it as well. If you are not going to use your fuel much you should add a fuel stabilizer so it does not go bad. I try not to have fuel any older than 3 months.

[RedLdr1]

I drive our unit on a long loop at least once a month. Between drives, at roughly the two week point, I run the genset for an hour or more, under load, while I check out the unit. That schedule keeps the house batteries at a decent charge level and lets me check out everything a couple times a month.

[gmacklem]

Originally Posted by GL1800Rider

If you are not going to use your fuel much you should add a fuel stabilizer so it does not go bad. I try not to have fuel any older than 3 months.

I topped off the tank and added fuel stabilizer before I parked it. I always use it on engines that will sit for a few months.

[A32Deuce]

As long as you run it long enough to get everything at operating temp. Not a problem. This way, any moisture is removed from everything.

[Wandering]

Run both the camper & generator in my in the drive way. Kinda tucked away & tough to take out for a drive.

Any suggestions to put generator under load. I turn AC on but only the fan runs in 30 degree weather.


Forester 2451s

[ATVer]

Store RV inside a tight and dry but unheated garage. Use fuel stabilizer in fuel tank and run main engine to operating temp every 2-3 months. Remove fuel and fog the generator engine thus I do not run it periodically. Since I almost never camp without hookups I haven't run the genset for years. A couple times a year I spin the genset on the starter to keep it lubed and free.

[GL1800Rider]

Originally Posted by Wandering

Run both the camper & generator in my in the drive way. Kinda tucked away & tough to take out for a drive.

Any suggestions to put generator under load. I turn AC on but only the fan runs in 30 degree weather.


Forester 2451s

You can run a space heater or if you have a heat pump and it's warm enough for it to work you can run that.

[rsscully]

I run the heat pump, and converter tops off the batteries. I also start the chassis engine if I am not able to drive it and let it run until the engine comes up to temp (usually about 10 minutes)

[Hoglou]

Gmacklem..

Yes, I keep ours active every week. I do winterize the water about jan 15 after our winter beach trip. The question is how much of a pain is it to drive around and return? I guess you cant park at home?

[gmacklem]

Originally Posted by Hoglou

The question is how much of a pain is it to drive around and return? I guess you cant park at home?

No, I can't park at home, I park at the dealership where I bought it. It is somewhat of a hassle to go there and get it out but it is what I have to do.

[geeman53]

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

As long as you run it long enough to get everything at operating temp. Not a problem. This way, any moisture is removed from everything.

What he said !

[bend302]

Even sitting in FL for the winter I start my engine and generator each month. Run engine about 20 mins and gen for about 40 mins. Also add fuel stabilizer when I arrive in Nov.

Bill

[brandon 2]

According to the Ford Manual it is recommended to start the engine and run it to normal temperature every 15 days. I use fuel stabilizer of course, but I do believe if it is fairly warm every month would be sufficient. I do not drive it because it is covered with an elements cover we purchased from camping world plus over the cover is a foot of snow at this time..


Brandon2
2014 2500TS
Sunseeker

[oldnewguy]

Since I live near the ocean, I take my unit out every other weekend. My service tech asked if i go to church, i said yes he said take to church every other week to run the engine and once a month run the gen took the long way home. my church has a huge parking lot so space is not a problem. The salt in the air will affect the brakes and the engine. Three years and no problems so far. take it to the lake where the kids skate great place to warm up and have hot chocolate too if you think, you will find a great many uses in the winter without breaking the winterizing you did

[RamblerGuy]

If you start the chassis engine and/or generator periodically, run it/them long enough to get the oil hot for enough time to boil off moisture. I've seen 30 minutes recommended. Just getting the coolant warm isn't enough.

In my opinion, it's better to leave it alone than to run it for 10 or the 15 minutes.

[phillyg]

Conventional wisdom is to not drive the RV unless you can do so for more than an hour. Genset should be exercised monthly.

[Hoglou]

Well then ya meet us in tampa for the show. That will warm the drive line up. We will be park'en at the spanish main.

[trdutch]

I run the gen with the heat pump on monthly
The tank is treated with sea foam and I was told that the sea foam treated fuel will prevent the gen carb from varnish build up
I try to drive the unit for 20 miles at least every month if the weather is nice and we don't have a ton of rain cause where she sits can get to be a muddy mess after a lot of rain

[Jagspe]

I was talking to a person at an RV park this weekend. He recommended I run my RV on the road for the tires. Is that true? Is it bad for the tires to sit in park for the winter?