Rosemary Mancillas, Country Coach Magna owner, authored this
article in 2005. As it is full of common sense maintenance info, I am
happy to share it here in the blogspot. We pick up in Part 3 with item 12 of her "quick and dirty list of maintenance items"....See previous posts for Part 1 and Part 2.
Fulltimer's Primer, Part 3
12) Onan generator - After the first 50 hours the oil and filter must be changed. The initial factory filter is much smaller than the regular filter replacement. An Onan technician told me he saw a genset come in after being usd 950 hours with the original filter. An expensive replacement of the generator was guaranteed. Check oil and coolant levels on a regular basis. Once a year or every 150 hours you should replace the oil, oil filter, and air filter. Coolant should be flushed and replaced same as engine coolant. Fuel filter should be change at 500 hours. To keep systems in running order it is recommended you run the generator at least two hours every month with a heavy load. If the generator is not used and fuel gets fouled with algae growth from standing in the lines, the fuel filter will become clogged. (Hint: While you are doing this, now is a good time to remove and clean the AC vent filters under the plastic grill.) Note from the CC Destinations editor: Not every Country Coach was equipped with an Onan generator; consult your owner's guide with questions specifi to your generator's maintenance.
13) Sanitize the fresh water tank and lines (and water hoses) several times a year, especially if you get into a questionable water supply. It does happen and it won't take long to suffer the consequences. Fill the fresh water tankand add a solution of 1-3/4 cups of bleach for 100 gallons of water. Run it through the faucets so it will also sanitze the lines and let stand for three hours. Then empty the tank and refill with water and dump it again. Vinegar can be used to neutralize the chlorine smell and taste, or baking soda. You will need five gallons of vinegar in the full tank of water to flush the chlorine smell and taste. Also commercial "sweeteners" can be found at Camping World that look and feel mysteriously like baking soda. You might have to fill and drain the water tank a total of four times. It is a bit of a procedure, but trust me, you don't want your water tank to turn into a science experiment.
14) Don't forget to replace your house water filters as needed. Beware of bacteria growth in the tank or filters while it is in storage. I replaced my one filter system with a two filter system.The first filter is to reduce sediment and the second filter removes other smaller particles and "germs." If the flow of the water seems reduced, it might be wise to remove and flush the sediment trap in the water pump itself.
15) Check the hydraulic fluid level inthe HWH slide reservoir with rooms fully retracted. Use Dexron II, high quality ATF or HWH has their own brand of fluid.
16) Furnace maintenance needs to be done at least once a year if you have Webasto, Hurricane or Hydro-Hot furnaces, possibly more often if used heavily.
Last but not least...
17) The air dryer desiccan cartridge and purge valve assembly should be replaced every 50,000 miles or every two years whichever comes first! The desiccant is like a powder sponge that absorbs moisture from the air in the dryer system. Not maintaining this system can at minimum cause corrosion, affect the ride height valves and other parts of the air system and brakes. If the desiccant cartridge is overloaded with moisture causing it to "explode" the desiccan "dust" into the air system, it will be a Very expensive repair.
Cosmetic
As far as cosmetic maintenance is concerned, there is an endless dialogue among fellow RVers as to who makes the best wheel polish, roof treatment, was, and window cleaner. I suggest you ask a "guy" or check the owners forum on Yahoo. There are as many opinions as there are RVers. Meguiar's wax and Busch's wheel polish seem to be the most popular. I personally prefer the "ABM" (anyone but me) or the BBTW system (Blue Beacon Truck Wash). I have a "professional" wax the coach and polish the wheels twice a year. I do not like to climb on ladders or roofs. I do wash the bugs off on a regular basis during the season and keep the exterior clean with touch-ups. I like to use the no-rinse "minimal water" cleaners that you wipe on and dry off. Most campgrounds do not want you to use their water for washing coaches. Aerospace 303 is recommended for UV protection on the roof once or twice a year.
Some additional items I have found useful:
1) Howard's Feed and Wax is excellent for the wood cabinets.
2) Minwax Stain markers touch up scratches on the cabinets or where stain has rubbed off. (Wipe off excess and follow with Howard's after it dries.)
3) Hope's Countertop Polish or Hope's Solid Surface Cleaner and Polish for the Corian countertop will restore the shine with a buffing. It lasts a surprisingly long time.
4) I use 3M'sMarine Outdoor Vinyl Leather Conditionser and Protector for the vinyl in the front windshield area.
5) Hope's Perfect Glass Cleaner or Glass Plus seem to be the best I have found for mirrors and the glass cooktop.
6) Trader Joe's Zen Multi-Purpose Cleaner is a nice, mild general purpose cleaner.
7) Murphy's Oil Soap is good on the ceramic tile floors and other multi-purpose cleaning.
8) Thetford's Aqua Clean does a great job in the shower. It removes soap scum and leaves the shower surface looking like new. (I wipe down the glass every shower with a "Miracle Cloth" tso there are no water spots.
9) Miracle Cloths are excellent for cleaning or wiping dry inside the coach and out. I like the big Costco package. Do not use bleach or softener rinse when you wash them and hang them to dry.
10) EcoSave is an ecologically safe bacteria/enzyme based product for the holding tank that I have found to be excellent. I use regular 1-ply Scott Tissue and the dry version and never have had a problem. It is compact and doesn't take up much space, unlike liquid treatmnts. (They also have a liquid EcoSave version; I prefer the dry.)
11) When parked with full hook-ups, I usually leave the gray tank valve open. It is a good idea to occasionally close the gray tank valve while parked, adding holding tank treatment (EcoSave) and allow the tank to fill and clean any buildup in the tank overnight or a day or two. I have not had a problem with odors or sensors if I do this about once every month or so.
12) Sewer Solution is a water powered jet pump sustem designed for dumping the waste from RVs and flushing the system clean. I was introduced to this style of self-cleaning sewer hose system by another Country Coach owner and I will never use that nasty accordion drain hose again. No more "walking the hose." It is so much more sanitary. You can purchase two additional 10 foot extensions that can be added or removed in a blink of an eye. Check it out on line or at Camping World.
13) Residue in the p-traps or accumulating in the drains can cause yucky odors. A few times a year or as needed, at bedtime, it is a good idea to put a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of either vinegar or hydrogen peroxide down the shower and sink drains to clean overnight.
14) When I do steam clean on my carpts twice a year, I have found that the upholstery attachmnt works grat on the cloth window shades. It should not be necessary to do the shades more than once a year or every other year. A good vacuuming (and a HEPA air filter) about once a week kps dust mites down. A nice touch up product is Host carpt cleaner that you sprinkle on, brush in, let dry and vacuum up.
I have sometimes considered placing one of those ads I have seen, "Wanted pleasant couple to maintain and repair (campground) motorhom." Sure. When I become rich and famous and have a Prevost Conversion with a driver and footman... Until then, I will have to be "Queen of the Road" in my own little palace on wheels and a very busy bee. (It keeps me out of trouble.) Maybe I can just borrow someone's husband once in a while....to fix things, that is.
Website Resources Utilized for this Article:
www.countrycoach.com
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Country-Coach-Owners
http://rvservicereviews.com
http://freeautoadvice.com/diesel/index.html (diesel engine info)
http://www.cattruckengines.com
http://www.funroadds.com (Cummins and Onan)
http://www.xantrex.com (inverter)
www.rvwebstore.com (water systems, filters and misc)
http://www.campingworld.com
http://www.allisontransmission.com
http://www.sewersolution.com
http://www.lifelinebatteries.com
http://www.meguiars.com
http://www.buschposlishes.com
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