Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
It would be helpful to hear from fifth wheel owners on what maintenance issues need to be addressed on an annual basis. For example, what's involved in wheel bearing and brake inspections, cleaning, lubing? What needs to be done to rubber roofs to keep them clean and leak free? Are there other items that need more frequent attention?
It would help to know how much to budget for these items as well.
Although we are no experts I would think that the roof needs to be cleaned and cked twice a yr for cracked caulking. Tires removed cking brakes if you have traveled any distance since last brake inspection and repack wheel bearings if you do not have the never lube axles. Visualy ck the a/c on roof for cracks in the shroud or anything that does not look good. I would also think that the caulking on the entire exterior around windows and etc should be cked yearly. Might want to ck screws around awning and inspect seals and gaskets on seals on slide outs.
WOW! That opens a whole list of subjects! Water heater draining and cleaning, Battery maintence, check all water line connections at least every 6 months as they WIlL eventually come loose, cleaning the AC unit, brakes as already mentioned, wires on the brakes, seals on the windows, roof as mentioned, inspecting the antenna and surrounding area to ensure no leaks are starting, propane connections on the tanks and at all appliances, clean the ducts if you can access them, clean the squirrel fan on the furnace, cleaning the contacts on your shore cable, regularly sanitizing the water tank, there is more but I am losing track! But that is a place to start.
I guess I was really looking to find out about maintenance items more or less unique to a fifth wheel like the brakes, wheel bearings, hitch pins, front jacks, etc. I know many RV's have rubber roofs, but would like to know the best way to keep them in good shape.
Put some lithium grease on the clamp on the Hitch itself when it is looking dry. Using a teflon plate is a great idea rather than greasing the faceplate. Front jack keep them clean and ocassionaly you can put a few drops of oil or wd 40 from the top of the jack, (usually there is a plastic cap covering it.) The brakes as mentioned before check as needed if towing a lot. If only occasional use I would check at least once a season.
Rubber roofs, be careful what you use on them. It is safe to just use dishwashing detergent and water. There is a roof conditioner but I am not convinced that it is necessary. Just regular cleaning should keep it in good shape.