Spring Opening Tips

• 1 Walk around the trailer and inspect for winter damage.
• 2 Remove plastic sheets from all vent covers (Fridge, H/W Heater, Furnace, etc.)
• 3 While you have these hatch covers open check the following:
  a) Is the H/W Heater drain valve or plug installed and tight?
  b) Is there a black sooty deposit above the H/W Heater exhaust vent? - if so get the burner adjusted.
  c) At the fridge hatch, get your head right inside and look up - you should see daylight through the roof vent. The efficiency of your RV refrigerator is directly dependent on good air flow, and squirrels love to build winter nests in these nice dry cavities.
• 4 Connect your water hose to the camp water supply, and flush it out prior to connecting it to the trailer.
• 5 After connecting water to the trailer open the cold water tap which is furthest from the water entrance point, open the outside drains if the trailer is so equipped (hot & cold), and lift up the lever on the relief valve in your hot water tank. When the outside drains run clear (rather than pink from the antifreeze) close them. Close the cold tap when it runs clear. Sequence all the taps on till each runs clear. When the hot water tank is full, water will exit from the relief valve, and you can then release the lever. Check all taps to ensure that all of the antifreeze has been purged (including the toilet flush valve, tub and shower)
• 6 When the water system is flushed and ready for use, spend a few minutes to inspect the trailer water lines for leaks. This is the time to catch them before they do any damage.
• 7 If your toilet flush valve appears to be stuck, do not force it!
  Place a little water in the bowl and allow the seal to soften and it will then operate smoothly
• 8 Inspect your electrical power cord for damage and then connect it to the camp supply.
• 9 Remove roof vent cover boxes if applicable
• 10.Turn on your LP gas (propane) according to the manufacturers instructions. The gas lines tend to bleed off in the winter and it will take several minutes to establish gas flow. If your trailer is equipped with the new ASME (green plastic) connectors to the gas cylinders, you need to be aware that they provide among other features an integral high flow shut off. This prevents major gas leaks in the event that the flexible lines fail. In the Spring, when you initially open the gas valves, propane rushes out in an attempt to fill the system which you may have vented in the Fall - this high flow can activate the above noted safety function. The trick is to open the valves VERY SLOWLY the first time and allow the system to stabilize!
• 11 If your H/W tank pilot will not light after several minutes, it may need to be cleaned. Apparently some insects are drawn to the smell of the propane and will tend to set up housekeeping in and around the gas lines. The residue can get stuck in the small orifices and block the gas flow.
• 12 Ensure that your "black water" tank valve is closed. (Usually the bigger of the two valves) and that the grey water valve is open (if you are using a drainage tile system)
• 13 Finally, replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and other safety monitors that may be in your RV.
• You are now ready to enjoy your Recreational Vehicle for another season!

Happy Camping.