Schmick Campers

30/4/2009 9:44:00 PM

Norman's regular column - as seen in the CMCA's monthly Wanderer magazine

I’m yet to meet a campervan or motorhome owner who doesn’t take pride in its appearance and maintenance.  They know what makes their rig tick, and will spend hours keeping their home-on-wheels looking and running at its best.

The KEA crew receives a steady flow of questions on how best to keep an RV schmick.  And there are no silly questions when it comes to care and maintenance; the reliability and safety of your vehicle relies on regular TLC. 

This month, I thought I’d dedicate my column to a few tips on how to care for your campervan or motorhome, all with a view to extending its life and enjoyment, and identifying any problems before they occur.

Exterior
Firstly, the fibreglass body: exposure to extreme sunlight, pollutants and excessive moisture can dull and stain your home’s casing.  Keep it glossy with regular washing with a mild autowash solution, and wax twice a year.  The metal body has a baked enamel finish, which will stain over time if soil and debris is allowed to build up.

Also make sure you regularly rinse the undercarriage, wheel arches and engine bay to remove dirt, oil, tar, salt and other debris – avoiding the risk of erosion in these areas.

Roof
Inspect the roof carefully every three months, especially the seams where fibreglass sections join, and around vents, skylights, air conditioners etc.  There are special sealants for repairing any cracks or shrinkage.  The same applies for any windows and other external seals.

If you have rooftop solar panels on your motorhome, check with the manufacturer for the best way to regularly keep these clean.  The dirtier the panels, the less effective they’ll be.

Tyres and wheels
This is rule number one of RV travel: make sure your tyres are checked before any trip, keep them inflated to recommended pressures, and rotate them every 10,000km.  Apart from assisting with on-road performance and fuel economy, your tyres are the vehicle’s first and most important safety feature.

Batteries
After disconnecting the battery terminals, visually check the electrolyte level by removing vent covers.  Only use distilled water to replenish any cells, as acid or tap water (which contains impure minerals) will permanently damage the battery.

Also check for loose terminals, corrosion or damage to the vent covers or case.  Remember, batteries produce explosive hydrogen gas, so check with care.

Interiors
The construction materials used in your vehicle’s interior will differ depending on the manufacturer.  At KEA, we use lightweight marine-grade plywoods and nylon carpets, and heavy-duty laminate finishes – all of which are easy to clean and maintain with minimal effort.  Domestic cleaning rules apply depending on the surface and nature of the stain. 

Water and waste management
Empty the toilet cassette regularly, wash thoroughly and rinse with fresh water.  You want to make sure your grey or waste water tank is regularly emptied as well; prolonged use can result in an odour buildup that can be difficult to shift.  We recommend regular application Biomagic or a similar product into the tank via the sink.

I’ve kept it pretty brief here, but we’ve more advice at www.keacampers.com.au.  The main thing to remember however is that common sense usually applies, and dedication to regular maintenance will mean you’re less likely to have problems with your vehicle down the track.

If you’ve any questions, email me at normanroe@keacampers.com, or drop in and see me at the Victorian Caravan and Camping Show on 11 May or the Hunter Valley Caravan and Camping Show on the 22nd.  If you’re at the latter (or even the former, come to think of it), I’m a merlot fan.

Safe travels,

Norman.