Helpful hints and FAQs about Valley RV Supercenter

Fresh water systems must be winterized before outside temperatures begin to fall, so the plumbing system does not freeze and result in damage. This applies to both the drinking water and drainage systems. This should be done professionally, either here at Valley RV Supercenter or by any reputable RV dealer. Recreational vehicle antifreeze must be used. Do not use automotive antifreeze.

Auxiliary and engine batteries are not always maintenance-free batteries, as in newer automobiles. Water levels and state of charge are critical in freezing conditions. A discharged battery will freeze, which can split the case and make the battery irreparable. Poorly maintained, defective, or poorly charged auxiliary batteries can and will cause many problems, including:

1. Improper functioning of furnaces
2. LP leak detectors will start beeping and not function properly
3. Refrigerators, A/C, furnaces, and water heaters may not function properly due to low voltage at the circuit board
4. Several precautions can be taken to avoid battery drainage
5. TV antenna booster needs to be turned off
6. Electric steps need to be turned off when storing your RV
7. Some refrigerators will draw battery power even when turned off. An open refrigerator door will cause the refrigerator light to run down the batteries

Use your battery disconnects if your recreational vehicle is equipped with one. It will take an external battery charger to charge both dead auxiliary and engine batteries. If your batteries are badly discharged or completely dead, your disconnects will not engage until charged up.

Fresh water tanks must be drained to prevent drinking water from becoming stale. Stored water can become stale and cause odor problems. This can occur even with short periods of storage, such as weekend to weekend.

Toilets should hold water in order to prevent odors from entering living areas. Special recreational vehicle toilet paper and chemicals must be used to help prevent clogged slide valves, false readings from tank sensors, and odor problems. Improperly maintained black and grey tanks can build up a coating that must be cleaned in order to control odor and monitor panel readings.

The black water (sewage) dump valve must be closed while using the waste system, even when hooked up to a campground dump site. Solids must be broken up with chemicals and water in the black tank so sewage can flow out through the sewer hose when the dump valve is opened.

Refrigerator doors must be propped open when storing in order to prevent mildew and odor buildup. Some refrigerators have a built-in device for this purpose. All refrigerators, both gas and electric, need to be level to operate at maximum efficiency.

If operated in an unlevel position for prolonged periods of time, the refrigerator may stop cooling and may ruin your cooling unit. This is a very expensive repair and is not just a matter of adding coolant to your unit. Because there is no coolant in the unit, an ammonia mixture is used to circulate through the tubing. If you notice an ammonia odor in or around your refrigerator, it may require repairs. This is an expensive repair.

Storage compartments may not be waterproof or dustproof. Keep this in mind while packing your vehicle and storing your belongings. Improper storage can damage items such as golf club bags, bedding, clothing, and more.

Liquid petroleum tanks are full at 80% capacity and are never actually 100% full. This 80% level will vary with outside temperatures. LP fuel tanks should not be filled beyond 80% capacity in order to allow for expansion. Do not overfill your tanks.

Recreational vehicles are built on a rail or truck chassis and are heavier, taller, and longer, so they take more time to stop. They swing out when turning and are generally harder to maneuver than the family automobile. Practice driving and maneuvering your RV in a large empty parking lot to become familiar with its handling characteristics.

Recreational vehicles are built on several different chassis, including Ford, Workhorse, Spartan, Freightliner, Roadmaster, Dynamax, and others. The most qualified individuals to work on these chassis are factory-trained technicians. Warranty work will need to be performed at authorized service centers.

The manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure is printed on the sidewall of your unit. It is important to check your tires for proper pressure. This will help prolong the life of your tires, increase fuel economy, and improve handling characteristics.

Be sure to read the owner’s manuals and become familiar with your individual RV and its accessories. This will help answer many questions that may come up while enjoying your RV. If you purchased a used unit and no manuals were with the coach, you can purchase general information books to help become familiar with your RV. Some manufacturers also list owner’s manuals in an archive file on their websites.

Water pressure regulators should be used to prevent damage from water pressure above 50 PSI. Pressure higher than designed can damage your lines and cause needless and expensive leaks.

Some leak detectors, if not properly reset, will not allow LP gas to flow to any appliances. Helpful hint: if your gas stove will not light, none of your other appliances will light. Always try your stove burners first.

Check the oil level every time you get gas. It is not uncommon to use one quart of oil every 500 to 1000 miles. Your recreational vehicle is built on a truck chassis and is much heavier than your automobile. This places more pressure on your engine and may cause some oil usage.

Air conditioners, microwaves, televisions, VCRs, and similar appliances need to be turned off before starting generators or plugging into campground power. Also turn off all appliances before unplugging or turning off the generator. Know where the 110 volt breakers and 12 volt fuses are located in your unit.

A 30 AMP service is 110 volt, not 220 volt. Do not plug any unit into higher voltage than 110 volt. A 30 AMP service will allow only one roof air conditioner to run, not both. Running two roof air conditioners will overload a 30 AMP service.

A 50 AMP service is still 110 volt, not 220 volt. However, it will allow you to run both roof air conditioners at the same time. You cannot reduce your 50 AMP service to 30 AMP and run both air conditioners without tripping circuit breakers.

Long lightweight extension cords should be used only for power tools, light bulbs, weed eaters, and similar items. They are not designed to supply 110 volt power to recreational vehicles. If there is not enough voltage supplied to your recreational vehicle, the air conditioner may not work properly and other appliances may not work properly. Low voltage can cause a variety of problems with 110 volt devices in your recreational vehicle.

Most generators on recreational vehicles will not start if they are more than 1 quart low on oil or if the motor home fuel gauge shows 1/4 tank or less. Some generators will not supply power to the inside of your unit until a time delay has passed. This delay allows the generator to warm up and build up speed to supply proper voltage.

Units that do not have this time delay must be plugged in manually with the 30 AMP service plug. Make sure all 110 volt appliances are turned off, especially the roof air conditioner, until warm-up and proper speed have been reached (approximately 60 seconds). All generators will have overload breakers. If a breaker has tripped, it is possible for a generator to run and have power to one roof air conditioner and not the other.

Do not turn off a roof air conditioner and turn it right back on. Wait 15 to 20 minutes and then turn it back on. If this procedure is not followed, circuit breakers may trip, including generator breakers, campground breakers, and breakers in your motor home’s 110 volt panel.

Properly sized generators will run both roof air conditioners at the same time, whether while driving or parked for extended periods. Be sure to follow maintenance schedules for changing oil filters, tune-ups, and other recommended service for your generator.

1. Make sure you know the clearance (height) of your unit
2. Make sure the TV antenna is down before moving the RV
3. Visually check leveling jacks to make sure they are in proper position
4. Make sure steps are in the up position before moving the RV
5. Make sure you unplug your unit before moving it
6. Power converters will hum and get hot. This is normal

The dash air conditioner will not cool the whole unit. Roof air conditioners must be used in conjunction with the dash air conditioner.