RV Expert Andy Dietz shares his 25 years of technical expertise as he tends to your questions.*

Q: I read with much interest your Nov/Dec column and believe you short-changed your answer to the question about maintaining a charge on a starting battery when it is stored. An easy-to-install battery maintainer will charge the starting battery when the coach batteries are charging, either from shore power or the generator.

A: Yes, there are several “trickle charge systems” available that will maintain the chassis battery while the generator is on or the shore cord plugged in. When in storage, you should run your RV for about 20 minutes each month. I also recommend checking the battery fluid levels at least monthly.

Q: After having my coach in storage for a prolonged period of time, what do I need to do to prepare it for travel?

A: There are several things you should do:
•    Hook-up the water and test the water system for leaks under pressure after flushing.
•    Make sure your batteries are topped off and charged.
•    Top off all fluid levels to their fill lines.
•    Test run the generator (if applicable) under a load.
•    Turn on all of your appliances to check for any critters that may have moved in over the season.
•    Make sure tire pressures are to manufacture specs.
•    Inspect the roof seams and seals for anything that may have weathered open or loose.

Q: Should I have the roof of my RV resealed every year?

A: The roof does not necessarily need to be resealed every year but you should inspect the seams and seals every six months and more frequently in southern climates. You should also inspect the interior walls in closets and cabinets as well as your ceiling for stains or any evidence of a leak. Many service centers offer these services.

Q: My coach has three slides which have been out for the entire winter. I have had slide toppers on all of them. Is it still necessary for me to check for debris on top of my slides before bringing them in?

A: I would recommend that you do. We see a lot of customers that have leaks in their slideouts because collected leaves and debris pushed off or tore the upper slide room seals. It only takes a short period of time for water damage to result from this, and repairing it can be very expensive. This headache can be avoided with a ladder and a water hose, air hose, or small broom.

Q: I have two fantastic fans in my motor home; one in the kitchen area and one in the bathroom. Both are automatic. The fan in the kitchen works great, however the lid rises on the one in the bathroom but the fan won’t come on. What can I check?

A: The fans are equipped with a pin switch under the lid. The lid rises up releasing the pin switch, which carries the ground for the fan, and the fan motor comes on. You will need to check the pin switch to make sure it is not stuck in the down position when the lid rises. Lube the switch with silicone and work it up and down several times. This will free it up and keep it from sticking in the down position. If the fan still does not come on, the fan motor may need to be replaced and should be inspected by an authorized service center.

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Andy Dietz has committed the last 25 years of his professional life to Lazydays and to the RV industry. From morning to night, weekdays and weekends, you will find Andy hard at work making “customers for life” with every one that he meets.  He has worked in virtually all phases of RV service operations including delivery, wood working and chassis. Andy is a RVIA/RVDA Master Certified technician, but more importantly, he is a master problem solver. Known to many as a “go-to-guy”, Andy is especially relied upon for situations that aren’t clearly defined or documented.  
 
*The views expressed herein are solely the opinions of the author.  No information should be relied upon until it is verified by a manufacturer or a qualified technician. Neither Lazydays nor its employees or agents are liable for any claims of any kind arising from the use of this information.