What beginning of the season maintenance should I perform?

NicoP

Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2024
Messages
24
Hello,

I am a first-time RVer and just got a used 2022 Forester 2351LE.

The RV is currently winterized. I am having the service center summerize it which I was told is just flushing the anti-freeze out of the lines. Since I am a new owner and it's the beginning of a season, what other maintenance should I have them perform? Oil on the engine and generator has already been changed. Mechanically, everything has been inspected, I am more curious of other maintenance items.

- They will sanitize the fresh water tank but I was told this doesn't include running anything through the lines. To be honest, the service desk person was not very helpful and knowledgeable on what exactly is done or what she recommends. I always see people mentioning to run a specific ratio of bleach through the lines. Is this something that should be done on top of them just sanitizing the fresh water tank itself?

- Should I also have them sanitize the gray and black tanks?


As a first-time owner, I would prefer that the service center perform this initial work, I also don't have the time or location right now to learn and do it myself.

What services would people recommend I have performed as a new owner of a used vehicle and the beginning of a new season?

Thank you!
 
Hello,

I am a first-time RVer and just got a used 2022 Forester 2351LE.

The RV is currently winterized. I am having the service center summerize it which I was told is just flushing the anti-freeze out of the lines. Since I am a new owner and it's the beginning of a season, what other maintenance should I have them perform? Oil on the engine and generator has already been changed. Mechanically, everything has been inspected, I am more curious of other maintenance items.

- They will sanitize the fresh water tank but I was told this doesn't include running anything through the lines. To be honest, the service desk person was not very helpful and knowledgeable on what exactly is done or what she recommends. I always see people mentioning to run a specific ratio of bleach through the lines. Is this something that should be done on top of them just sanitizing the fresh water tank itself?

- Should I also have them sanitize the gray and black tanks?


As a first-time owner, I would prefer that the service center perform this initial work, I also don't have the time or location right now to learn and do it myself.

What services would people recommend I have performed as a new owner of a used vehicle and the beginning of a new season?

Thank you!

The grey and black tanks do not ever need sanitizing, as you’re just going to put sewage in them. However the black tank should be flushed clean with it’s flushing inlet fitting (ideally done before unit winter storage). Familiarize yourself with the many, many options available for black waste tank treatments that break down waste and minimize odors.

Sounds like we need to point you towards RV newbie FAQ pages.

Tire pressure checks are very high on my list anytime my motorhome has been unused for a period of time. Ifvthe house batteries are flooded lead acid type, their water levels should be checked. Add distilled water as required.
 
FWIW, when I sanitize the FW tank, I also run the bleach water thru all water lines and let it sit for the same period as water in the tank.

Agree, no need to sanitize the grey and black tanks. I do blow compressed air thru the flush line when I winterize. I also do a thorough job of flushing the black tank on our last camping session. I generally get a FHU site to facilitate that.
Other spring work: Wash / wax the entire unit including washing the roof. Closely check all seams for leaks and deteriorating sealants. Check the wheels and re-lube bearings. General cleaning of the interior - I tend to accumulate a lot of dead flies over winter. :( Reload all the "stuff" I take out at the end of the season - daily use stuff like soaps, cooking needs, on the road cleaners, tools, etc.
 
Save your money and don't have them sanitize the fresh water tank. If they aren't going to sanitize your lines, you're going to have to do it yourself. We tend to do it just before we take our first trip.

You need to sanitize the fresh water system (running water through the lines with bleach and letting it set overnight before flushing)
Forest River puts out a video showing you how to do it.
They have owner help at www.forestriverinc.com on the Owners tab.

Ask the technicians where the fresh water tank drain is. Also the hot and low water drain points are. The hot water bypass is something you'll need to know also for winterizing.

As mentioned above, you don't need to sanitize the grey or black water holding tanks, but you do have to add black water tank treatment and the recommended amount of water through the toilet before your first trip. They make grey water treatment but not everyone uses it.

If you don't have time to sanitize yourself, you might want to get a mobile mechanic to do the job. It's important for your health to have a sanitized system.
 
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As mentioned, sanitize the fresh water system. Check all your systems, make sure the water heater is working, generator, house ac, stove and furnace.
It really sucks to go out the first time and find your ac is dead or your stove won’t lite.
 
FWIW, when I sanitize the FW tank, I also run the bleach water thru all water lines and let it sit for the same period as water in the tank.

Agree, no need to sanitize the grey and black tanks. I do blow compressed air thru the flush line when I winterize. I also do a thorough job of flushing the black tank on our last camping session. I generally get a FHU site to facilitate that.
Other spring work: Wash / wax the entire unit including washing the roof. Closely check all seams for leaks and deteriorating sealants. Check the wheels and re-lube bearings. General cleaning of the interior - I tend to accumulate a lot of dead flies over winter. :( Reload all the "stuff" I take out at the end of the season - daily use stuff like soaps, cooking needs, on the road cleaners, tools, etc.

Check the wheels yes, but I wouldn’t advise the OP to re-lube wheel bearings on their 2022 class C motorhome. That’s a trailer thing. Let’s not confuse a newbie.
 
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Welcome to the forum. I'm moving your post to the Forester / Sunseeker forum for specific info on your rig.
 
Save your money and don't have them sanitize the fresh water tank. If they aren't going to sanitize your lines, you're going to have to do it yourself.

Thank you for this, I am going to call back tomorrow and make them give me a firm answer on whether the lines get sanitize because the lady who schedules service did not sound confident in her answer. I don't see why they wouldn't run it through the lines if they are sanitizing the fresh tank itself, seems weird.

If they don't do the lines, I will cancel that part and do it myself. Instructions seem pretty straight forward
 
These links will take you to the FR website that has the info on your 2351.

Here is a link to a diagram of your rigs service points: Diagram

Here is a link to the downloadable manuals: Manuals

Here is a link to the winterization guides FR published: Winterize

All this info, for Sunseeker and Forester, is in "sticky" posts at the top of this forum.

Hope this helps...
 
Clean it.
Clean the water system.
Charge the batteries.
Fill the propane tanks.
Go camping.

I do not drink out of my fresh water tank so I don't worry about cleaning it, just draining it after every trip.
 
Maybe...

Clean it.
Clean the water system.
Charge the batteries.
Fill the propane tanks.
Go camping.

I do not drink out of my fresh water tank so I don't worry about cleaning it, just draining it after every trip.
Maybe check the water level in the house batteries...
 
Change the Anode sacrificial rod, in the water heater. Remove it, when it is not being used. Check for rodent droppings and teeth marks. Buy an adjustable water pressure regulator with a gage. Clean all of the battery connections. Change the smoke detector battery. Check the date on the propane leak detection device.
 
Change the Anode sacrificial rod, in the water heater. Remove it, when it is not being used.

The OP’s 2022 Forester has a Dometic/Atwood water heater. Those do not have a sacrificial anode rod, nor should one be installed. There is a nylon plug that can be removed to drain the heater tank.
 
readying for spring

You need to do all this yourself, make time to allow for you to learn how to do it properly and then do it once. I have found that the only way to learn is to do it. There is a lot of maintenance that goes into owning an RV and if you are traveling a lot more so.
 
You need to do all this yourself, make time to allow for you to learn how to do it properly and then do it once. I have found that the only way to learn is to do it. There is a lot of maintenance that goes into owning an RV and if you are traveling a lot more so.


It's a lot like a boat; if you're not a DIYer now, you will either become one or you have very VERY deep pockets!! SO MANY little things to do, some big ones now and then.
Happy trails!!
 

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