Post by Administrator on Feb 28, 2013 8:07:22 GMT
Just a few advisory tips to help members on recommissioning their pride and joy at the beginning of the season.
1. Check at the bottom of bunk bed boxes for any signs of damp ingression as usually these are the first areas of damp. If noted re seal joint beads . ( Roof light seals can cause this as well as it runs internally down the structure of the van and rots the structural fabric)
2. Check all roof light seals as the bedding material hardens and looses its waterproof properties, ( an easy fix if attended to straight away. Its just a matter of taking the unit out cleaning off the old sealant and re-bedding with a good quality compound.
I do all mine every 3 years even if it isnt leaking its a lot easy to carry out these protective maintenance jobs than carrying out major damp rectification works. Since taking this view I have never had a damp van.
3. Joint seals from roof to side panels if any signs of damp in these areas internally, take them off and re bed using good quality sealant and stainless screws. Sometimes it not easy to remove these trims as they used ordinary steel screws in their manufacture but once replaced with stainless the next time it need to be re sealed it makes for an easy job.
4. For those who didnt over winter by taking of the wheels and leaving the van on blocks tyres are likely to have suffered and the side wall affected by UV sunlight and possible cracked if thats the case get them changed now because it is likely to spoil your next holiiday.
5. Check the running brake operation of the roll on brakes and hand brake operation to see it does all it should.
Also Re pack the wheel bearings with new grease and dont over tighten when replacing the bearing.
Rule of thumb make tight the back off one quarter turn will give sufficient bearing play.
6. Check gas system with a solution of fairy liquid and water by putting the gas on and squirting the solution on connectors to make sure you have no leaks. do not use naked flames to carry out this check.
7 Check operation of water heater, those that did not draion dow n the system will likely find the frost has done damage.
better checked now and corrected before you get on site.
8 Electrics check all to see if operating correctly those that have left their battery connected to the van will find that the plates will have disintegrated through sitting over a long period without trickle charge. only cure here is a new battery.
9. electric Toilet check operation as the internal motor in the pump sticks so you may need the free it off or obtain a new one. All better sorting prior to being on site then finding you can use it.
The workshop parts diagram for these toilets are found in useful links
Note before carrying out any works on the van underneath make sure all the steadies are down and if removing any wheels make sure the chassis is adequately supported.
Hope these few tips help
Cheers
Stuart
1. Check at the bottom of bunk bed boxes for any signs of damp ingression as usually these are the first areas of damp. If noted re seal joint beads . ( Roof light seals can cause this as well as it runs internally down the structure of the van and rots the structural fabric)
2. Check all roof light seals as the bedding material hardens and looses its waterproof properties, ( an easy fix if attended to straight away. Its just a matter of taking the unit out cleaning off the old sealant and re-bedding with a good quality compound.
I do all mine every 3 years even if it isnt leaking its a lot easy to carry out these protective maintenance jobs than carrying out major damp rectification works. Since taking this view I have never had a damp van.
3. Joint seals from roof to side panels if any signs of damp in these areas internally, take them off and re bed using good quality sealant and stainless screws. Sometimes it not easy to remove these trims as they used ordinary steel screws in their manufacture but once replaced with stainless the next time it need to be re sealed it makes for an easy job.
4. For those who didnt over winter by taking of the wheels and leaving the van on blocks tyres are likely to have suffered and the side wall affected by UV sunlight and possible cracked if thats the case get them changed now because it is likely to spoil your next holiiday.
5. Check the running brake operation of the roll on brakes and hand brake operation to see it does all it should.
Also Re pack the wheel bearings with new grease and dont over tighten when replacing the bearing.
Rule of thumb make tight the back off one quarter turn will give sufficient bearing play.
6. Check gas system with a solution of fairy liquid and water by putting the gas on and squirting the solution on connectors to make sure you have no leaks. do not use naked flames to carry out this check.
7 Check operation of water heater, those that did not draion dow n the system will likely find the frost has done damage.
better checked now and corrected before you get on site.
8 Electrics check all to see if operating correctly those that have left their battery connected to the van will find that the plates will have disintegrated through sitting over a long period without trickle charge. only cure here is a new battery.
9. electric Toilet check operation as the internal motor in the pump sticks so you may need the free it off or obtain a new one. All better sorting prior to being on site then finding you can use it.
The workshop parts diagram for these toilets are found in useful links
Note before carrying out any works on the van underneath make sure all the steadies are down and if removing any wheels make sure the chassis is adequately supported.
Hope these few tips help
Cheers
Stuart
