To get the best from your motorhome trip after trip, you should complete regular maintenance and inspections to ensure every component remains in tiptop shape. You’ll want to stay on top of maintenance so you can enjoy your Motorhome for many years to come. Exterior maintenance is a great place to start.
Roof
The roof is manufactured with a bowed aluminum frame and constructed using a laminated ‘sandwich’ method. It is strong enough to support the weight of an average adult if it becomes necessary to repair the roof or any of the roof mounted components. CAUTION: The roof may be slippery when wet. Always use caution when working on top of your motorhome.
Avoid carrying large heavy objects onto the roof. The additional strain of the weight, along with the movement of the motorhome, could cause damage to the roof. Check the roof regularly for possible leaks, especially the sealant around the vents, air conditioners, body-to-roof seams, etc. Immediately repair any suspected leaks. Any leakage could result in damage to the interior of the motorhome.
Underbody
Mud and dirt mixed with corrosive materials used to control dust or ice on the roads can accumulate underneath your motorhome and cause premature deterioration and rusting. In addition, any build up will add unnecessary weight to the motorhome. Rinse and flush the undercarriage and the entire underbody every time you wash the motorhome.
Washing, Waxing and Polishing
Damaging salts, calcium chloride, road tar, tree sap, insects and other foreign material can accumulate on the body of your motorhome. To reduce the harmful effects of these agents, wash the motorhome frequently and thoroughly using mild soap and warm water. Do not wash the exterior in direct sunlight and never use hot water. Avoid using pressure washers because they can loosen decals and sealants. Regularly wax your RV to reduce the negative effects of UV exposure on the exterior fiberglass parts.
Carefully inspect all caulking around windows, doors, vents and all other joints. Re-caulk if necessary using the correct caulking material available from a qualified service center. If water fails to bead on the surface of the motorhome, it is time to polish and wax it.
This will not only improve the appearance of your motorhome, but will also protect the painted surfaces from oxidation and corrosion making it easier to wash.
Stripes and Decals
Follow these steps for the care and maintenance of your motorhome’s stripes and decals:
Wash with mild soap and warm water and rinse thoroughly.
Never wash using a high-pressure washer at close range. The force of the water can lift the edges of decals.
Do not use solvents. They can smear the colors and damage the adhesive.
Never use lacquer thinner or paint on decals.Avoid splashing gasoline or diesel fuel on stripes and decals and rinse immediately if splashing occurs.
Exterior Lighting
Before each trip, inspect all clearance lights, identification lights, marker lights, stop lights, turn signal lights and backup lights. Immediately replace burned out bulbs. Use soap and water to keep all light lenses clean.
Solar Panels
Solar panels should be cleaned monthly using water and a soft sponge or cloth. If required, a mild non-abrasive cleanser can be used for more stubborn residue. Ensure solar panels are rinsed thoroughly following cleaning.
For best performance, solar panels should be cleaned more frequently during drier months as they may become covered in dust more quickly. Use of a pressure washer to clean the solar panels is not recommended.
NOTICE: Solar panels contain acrylic (Plexiglas®) components. Refer to the acrylic manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Do NOT clean using Windex® style glass cleaners.