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Old Oct 3, 2010 | 02:08 PM
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Question for RV Tech

I saw in a post that you suggested running the rv systems once a month. We park our 5er outside for the winter (about 5 months) Should we plug it in and turn the fridge and furnace on for a couple hours once a month?
What are your recommendations for that length of time?
 
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Old Oct 3, 2010 | 02:49 PM
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I keep my class C covered and 110ac powered up all winter, water drained and a small electric space heater that comes on if temp inside drops below 50. I leave the fridge running most of the year. I keep it habitable in case we get a extended power outage, which happens about every other winter.
 
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Old Oct 3, 2010 | 03:02 PM
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think of it like a cottage,winterize it & leave it alone until spring,I've done that for 25 years,Gerry...plumbing antyfreeze,oil rust spots & shovel the snow off the roof if it gets to deep,ttyl,Gerry from NorthBay Ont
 
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Old Oct 3, 2010 | 04:26 PM
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Here in Maryland I leave A/C power on all winter, battery installed and fridge OFF. Never a problem........
 
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Old Oct 3, 2010 | 04:42 PM
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+1 i do the same as bud. i go every now and again to check for leaks.
 
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Old Oct 3, 2010 | 05:53 PM
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Originally Posted by ontariofarmer
I saw in a post that you suggested running the rv systems once a month. We park our 5er outside for the winter (about 5 months) Should we plug it in and turn the fridge and furnace on for a couple hours once a month?
What are your recommendations for that length of time?
I try to operate things about once a month for an hour or so. Some folks prefer not to do so. For some, it's just not practical. I would suggest that units that are used more have fewer problems.

Steve
 
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Old Oct 3, 2010 | 06:59 PM
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I guess everybody has different ideas on this. I just sold mine but I had it plugged in year round with refer running and of course stocked with beer. I would go out and listen to the Sharks ( hockey) and generally hide from wifey. In winter if it was cold I would turn on heater and likewise in summer with the a/c. I never had a problem, other than the mountain episode, but back on point, I would also turn on lights and stove. My .02
 
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Old Oct 3, 2010 | 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by hanklin
I guess everybody has different ideas on this. I just sold mine but I had it plugged in year round with refer running and of course stocked with beer. I would go out and listen to the Sharks ( hockey) and generally hide from wifey. In winter if it was cold I would turn on heater and likewise in summer with the a/c. I never had a problem, other than the mountain episode, but back on point, I would also turn on lights and stove. My .02
There are no absolute rules. You can do some things that decrease problems, but it is not possible to eliminate them completely. The best I can do is pass along what I see and what I hear when interacting with manufacturers.

Steve
 
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Old Oct 3, 2010 | 07:17 PM
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I strongly recommend covering RVs over the winter, Here in Western OR. it rains SO much during the winter, I have seen brand new RVs develop leaks!........no use courting trouble.
Heavy snow loads on roofs cause trouble with leaks too.
 
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Old Oct 3, 2010 | 07:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Old93junk
I strongly recommend covering RVs over the winter, Here in Western OR. it rains SO much during the winter, I have seen brand new RVs develop leaks!........no use courting trouble.
Heavy snow loads on roofs cause trouble with leaks too.
Leaks can certainly be a problem and heavy snow loads can actually harm roof supports. This became much worse with the advent and popularity of slide-outs.

Steve
 
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Old Oct 3, 2010 | 07:31 PM
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Truck campers, Class Cs, whatever I have had, I cover it. A $60 heavy duty tarp is cheap insurance if you do not have covered storage available.

Dry rot repair is NO fun...........RV tech can probably concur.
 
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Old Oct 3, 2010 | 09:28 PM
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Steve, I absolutely listen to you and others here and do appreciate the knowledge.
 
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Old Oct 3, 2010 | 09:34 PM
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There is a load of good information in this forum. Everyone has something to share. the most expensive repair any RV owner can suffer is water damage from leaks. Most stuff is a few hundred at most. Structural damage get out the checkbook!

I am working on one where lighting hit the TV antenna. it literally blew a hole right through the ceiling. I have seen plenty of lighting strikes over the years, but nothing like this one. Really quite amazing as the only thing it took out was the thermostat for the A/C and furnace and one of the TVs.

Steve
 
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