Roadtrek Tips & Tricks

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I copied this from Home & Park Motorhomes Website
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Tips & Tricks
From Roadtrek®TM Owners

Tip #1 - Refrigerator Use & Maintenance

As the refrigerator is the most used and relied upon appliance in the motorhome, regular service & maintenance is very important.

The refrigerator operates by heat applied to the boiler system and it is of paramount importance that this heat be kept within the necessary limits and be properly applied. Keeping the unit properly cleaned and tuned will ensure that the heat exchange is kept within the required limits. This heat exchange applies to all three operating modes.Although regular service & maintenance will vary depending upon usage, yearly service is recommended by the manufacturer. This service & maintenance should be performed by a certified Dometic Manual Refrigeration Technician.

Here are some suggestions to keep your refrigerator up and running between scheduled service.
Be sure to check the burner flame for proper appearance. The flame should be light blue. If it has a yellow tip, this means it is burning incorrectly and should be serviced. Check to be sure there is no spider web, insect nest, soot or rust on or around the burner. If there is, knock it off with a small screwdriver and clean the area with compressed air or by blowing through a soda straw.

For proper ventilation, keep the area behind your refrigerator clear. Check the upper and lower vents and the area between vent openings for any obstructions such as a bee or birds nest.

Check all connections in the LP gas system (at the back of your refrigerator) for gas leaks by applying a non corrosive commercial leak detector solution at all connections.
A properly serviced and maintained refrigerator should provide years of trouble free service. To receive a brochure on maintaining the Dometic RM2310 manual refrigerator, call the Communication Center of Dometic Corporation at 219-294-2511.
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Tip #2 - LP Gas System Safety & Use

Here are some basic practices to ensure safety and trouble free use.

NEVER allow your LP-gas container to be filled above the maximum safe level as indicated by the scale or the fixed liquid gauge. Do not use the visible gauge for filling. Only qualified persons should fill your LP gas container.

Do not use a wrench or pliers to close the service valve. The valve is designed to be closed leak tight, by hand. If wrenches are necessary to close valve, the valve needs replacement or repair.

When opening the valve, slowly open the valve all the way. Listen to the regulator. A continuous hiss may indicate a leak or open valve on appliance.

LP gas is non corrosive. You need not worry about the inside of the tank. However, the outside should be kept free from rust by a periodic coat of paint, in a light color.

Have the system leak checked, on a annual basis.

Do not attempt to repair any valves, regulators or appliances by yourself. Use only trained, certified LP gas service personnel to perform repairs.
Practice safety at all times. If you have questions bout the operation of your appliance or LP gas systems, contact your local dealer.
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Tip #3 - Filling Your LP Gas Tank

Only qualified persons should fill your LP Gas tank.

CAUTION - OVERFILL IS HAZARDOUS. Do not allow your LP Gas
container to be over filled. Fill should stop when liquid appears at the fixed liquid gauge (liquid release screw). Bleed off excessive propane in a safe, well vented area.

Your LPG tank is equipped with a 80% fill valve, leaving 20% for expansion. Propane expands approximately 1.5% for each 10° F rise. Although the tank is equipped with a automatic 80% fill valve, this does not alleviate the fill operators responsibility of using the 80% fixed liquid outage valve.

If overfilled, excessive pressure could develop within the container causing the relief valve to open, relieving excess pressure. LP Gas released through the relief valve is FLAMMABLE.

Practice Safety at All Times. If you have any questions about proper filling procedures, contact your local LP Gas dealer.
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Tip #4 - Gel Cell Battery Maintenance

For proper maintenance on the gel cell batteries:

DO:

Charge battery to full charge after every full or partial use.

Charge battery through the converter or on a approved deep cycle charger at a rate, not higher than 14.8 volts.

Refer to owners manual for proper operation of the battery disconnect switch, converter and battery systems.

Always wear safety eye protection when inspecting/working on the battery.

Recycle expired battery at a proper depot.
DO NOT:

Do not allow battery to remain in a discharged state after use.

Do not try to open battery, add fluids or other chemicals. The battery is non-serviceable.

Do not hook up any direct power draws.

Do not over tighten battery terminals.
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Tip #5 - Use of Light in “Across the Rear” Storage Compartment

For your convenience, on all 1997 and later Dodge 170 & 190 models (except the 190-Versatile with dinette), the light in the "across the rear" storage compartment has been wired into the rear door post switch. If this light is left in the ON position, it will operate the same as your front interior cab light. The light will come ON when the rear door is open and shut OFF when the door is closed.
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Tip #6 - Interior Cleaning and Protecting

For those tough, stubborn carpet, seat and wall fabric stains, mix ½ cup of Tide (laundry detergent), ¼ cup of white vinegar in one gallon of warm water. With a sponge wet the area to be cleaned, then with a soft scrub brush, scrub the area until the stain disappears. After cleaning the wall fabric you will need to dry the fabric with a hair dryer, to prevent water staining. Set the hair dryer at low or medium heat and move from side to side in order not to overheat the wall fabric.

For the woodwork, clean and protect with Pledge. To help hide small scratches and chips in the woodwork, rub the wax from a clear or white colored candle over the affected area. Once the scratch or chip has been filled in with the wax, wipe the excess wax off with a dry, soft cloth.
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Tip #7 - Refrigerator Cleaning

Cleaning of the RV refrigerator is similar to the home type counterparts with one difference. RV refrigerators are more vulnerable to high heat. This means that vegetable bins can not be put in dishwashers, and attempting to speed up a defrost cycle with the aid of a hair dryer will result in damage which could necessitate a new refrigerator.
Make sure the controls off.

Clean the interior using two tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in one quart of warm water. Rinse and dry.

Clean all removable parts with warm water using a mild detergent.
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Tip #8 - Gray & Black Water Tank Gate Valve Lubrication

It is very important to keep the gray & black gate valves well lubricated. Keeping the valves lubricated will prolong the life of the valve and will also help to keep the valve moving freely. To lubricate the valves follow these steps:

Empty both the gray and black water tanks and close the valves.

Pour a half gallon of coconut oil down kitchen sink drain (as a
replacement for the coconut oil, a biodegradable liquid lubricate can be used).

Pour a half gallon of coconut oil down the toilet.

Allow the oil to sit in the tanks for 48 hours.

Allow the oil to penetrate the valves through vehicle motion.

Resume use of tanks, do not empty or flush.
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Tip #9 - Exterior Graphic Care

Today's finest graphics have been professionally applied to your Roadtrek. These graphics require little maintenance and should be treated similarly to a painted surface.

DO:

Wash the graphics with plain soap and water or any car wash soap. Make sure to rinse thoroughly.

Keep high pressure nozzles at least 2 1/2 feet from the edge of the graphics. High pressure spray may cause the edge of the graphic to peel.

Test any cleaning solution on a small section of the decal before using.
DO NOT:

Do not use any type of solvents on the graphics. Solvents may soften or smear colors.

Do not let gasoline or other fuels drip or stay on graphics for any length of time. If spill occurs, wipe off and rinse with water immediately.

Do not apply wax over graphics. Wax that has dried between stripes can be removed by softening it with rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs. Be sure to rinse with water after cleaning.
Care and Caution should be taken when storing your vehicle. Vinyl graphics and other items such as dashboards, tires and flexible rubber products will have a shorter life expectancy when exposed to severe heat and sunlight.

Protection of graphics from prolonged direct sunlight will ensure extended life.
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Tip #10 - Dripping Water from Water Heater Pressure Relief Valve

You may experience water dripping from your water heater's pressure and temperature (P&T) relief valve when your water heater is operating. Water dripping does not mean that the P&T valve is defective. As water is heated, it expands. The water system in a RV is a closed and does not allow for the expansion of heated water

One way to reduce the frequency of this occurrence is to maintain a air pocket at the top of the water heater tank. This air pocket will form in the tank by design, however it will be reduced over time by the everyday use of your water heater. To replenish this air pocket:
Turn off the water heater.

Turn off the cold water supply line.

Open a faucet.

Pull out the handle of the P&T relief valve and allow water to flow from the valve, until it stops.

Release the handle on the P&T valve - it should snap closed.

Close the faucet and turn on the cold water supply. As the tank fills,
the air pocket will develop. Repeat this procedure as often as needed to reduce the frequency of the dripping P&T valve.
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Tip #11 - Cleaning Solid Surface (fiberglass) counter top

MIRSTONE® products are stain resistant. The finished products are ideal for counter tops, vanities and other surfaces subject to the hazards of moisture and heavy wear. Even coffee, ink or other stains will not harm the surface. No special cleaning products are needed to keep the product looking great.

Normal Cleaning:
MIRSTONE® surfaces can be wiped clean with a damp cloth or sponge and mild detergents such as Fantastik® or 409®. On a matte finish you can use a mild abrasive cleaner like Bon Ami® or Soft Scrub®. Periodically it may be necessary to go over the entire surface with an abrasive cleaner or a wet Scotch Brite® to maintain a uniform finish.

Spills and Stains:
While most spills can be removed with the normal cleaning techniques, some spills and stains such as tea, food dye and fruit drinks may require more aggressive cleaning. These can be removed with full strength bleach followed by a general cleaner flushed with warm water.

NOTE: Bleach should only contact the surface for no more than five minutes. On a matte finish, if you prefer, you can scrub with an abrasive cleaner.

Cigars and Cigarettes:
While MIRSTONE® surfaces will not burn, should a lighted cigar or cigarette come in contact with the surface, it could leave a nicotine stain or scorch mark. Either of these can be removed by cleaning with an abrasive cleaner or buffing in a circular motion with a Scotch Brite® pad.
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Mail your "Tips and Tricks" to:

Tips & Tricks
Home & Park Motorhomes
100 Shirley Avenue
Kitchener, Ontario
Canada, N2B 2E1