By Tony Sippel, RV product manager at Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) knows that not every RV enthusiast is of the constantly roaming variety. While plenty of owners routinely put 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year on their motorhomes, many others spend more time enjoying campground life.

And while the complete chassis interval maintenance schedules available at FreightlinerChassis.com provide detailed guidelines for annual upkeep, there are also simple steps RVers should take during extended camping stops. For owners who set up for stopovers of more than three weeks at a time – as many do during the winter months – FCCC offers these reminders and easy maintenance tips:

• Take the wheels for an occasional spin. The rubber wheel seals at the end of an RV’s axles are automatically lubricated when the wheels are in motion, but can dry out and crack if a motorhome sits still for too long. This is easily prevented with a short drive, or by jacking up the RV slightly and spinning the tires by hand for a minute or two.
• Tires will also benefit from a short drive, which will prevent them from developing the flat spots that can occur at ground level when an RV sits motionless for an extended period. The spinning motion also reinforces the tires’ protection against UV damage by bringing the rubber’s protective chemicals to the surface of the tire. Tire covers are also an easy solution to preventing potential sun damage.
• Park with a full fuel tank. A lower fuel level means more air in the tank, which increases the chances of algae growth, especially when the RV is parked for a while. A diesel fuel algaecide additive should also be used.
• Make sure there is a good coat of dielectric grease protecting the RV’s battery connections, both in the engine compartment and on the house batteries. Extended sitting periods can give corrosive elements a chance to take hold and corrode the terminals.
• Check and tighten the hubcaps. Wheels can get bumped during a long stopover, and nobody wants to reach their next destination only to discover a loose hubcap was lost along the way.

By taking a few minutes to look after your RV while it’s resting, you’ll help ensure it’s ready to hit the road whenever you are.

FCCC enjoys speaking directly with our customers, and we’re constantly seeking new and effective ways to connect with our end-users. Please let us know by commenting on this blog post with any feedback or ideas you may have about FCCC customer support.

And, if you’re looking for other ways to connect with FCCC, follow us on Twitter @DriveFCCC, visit our Facebook page or email us at fcccservice@daimler.com.