Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 414
|
Hi StarGazer.
I do my own TT, Utility and boat trailer maintenance (and repairs / upgrade items). Everything from cleaning, to waxing / treating, to brake inspections, to complete repairs / rebuilds. Being a DIY person since a young age, doing DIY tasks is easy for me. But for some, certain tasks (like plumbing, electrical, heights, brakes, wheel bearings) worry them. Thus, they "farm out" some jobs and do other jobs (that are within their own comfort zone) themselves.
For me, typical DIY items are:
- Manually wash its roof every 6 months. I use Protect-All Roof Cleaner, crawl on "all 4s" and use manual spong - using full arm circle movements. Just like manually scrubing a kitchen floor, I do it manually. Protect-All roof cleaner in spray bottle can be purchased at most RV dealers.
- Visually inspect the caulking every 6 months. If needed, apply Dicro Self leveling sealer (especially in the holes). Will do 12"-15" strip, smooth out (feather it out) with my wet finger, then do the next 12"-15" strip. Where possible, I remove the old caulking by taking a sharp knife and cutting off the high spots. Like shaving high spots off a smooth surface. Deep cleaning and feathering out the new caulking is the main trick.
- After roof is clean and roof caulking is dry, I then apply Protect-All roof treatment. Some say to apply Roof treatment every 6 months and others say every 12 months. For me (and my harsh weather region), I apply Rubber Roof treatment every 6 months. Starting applying roof treatment AFTER factory warranty was finished. Some don't believe in roof treatment. After seeing before and after results (of rain water beading up, elimination of black streaks, easy removal of dirt 6 months later), I'd recommend Protect-All Roof treatment. But, only after the Factory Warranty is completed.
- Every spring (if towing a trailer), I pull each wheel hub off, inspect its brakes and if needed, remove any rust (from winter moisture). When all looks good "behind the hub", I then add new boat wheel bearing grease (which repels water much better then normal wheel bearing grease). And every other year, I replace its wheel hub seal. When trailer is on jacks, some recommend the removal of leaf spring leafs and re-grease their leaf spring eyes as well. And, grease their leaf spring support bolts and plates as well. Thus, reducing their natural wear.
- Ever 6 months, I manually wash the sides and front/rear of my TT. Manual arm movements using mild soap. For the white plastic items, I use "no scrub" bacteria cleaner - which helps remove the mold - like on the hidden outside shower spray handle. And, mold off its white plastic LP Gas tank cover as well.
- After cleaning the sides, front and rear, I manually check its outer caulking as well. Where needed, I'll add some external silicone (clear or white) and if needed, apply caulking in its corners and around the ladder screws as well. Take my time by applying painter's tape around the area, apply only 12-15" at a time, smooth with my wet finger and once it gets tacky, I remove its painter's tape. Thus, creating a nice looking edge.
- Ever 6 months, I manually wax the sides and front/rear of my TT. Use McGuires boat/RV Cleaner / Wax #50. If unavailble, I use normal McGuires auto wax. Or, I might use Mother's Cleaner / Wax. I manually wax (using manual "wax on - wax off" arm movements) 1 x side are per weekend. At end of 3 weeks, all sides are completed. And, my arms don't feel over tired either.
- I use awning cleaning chemicals as well. Manual scrub tasks as well.
Before towing, I check wheel lug nuts, safety chains, ball/coupler play, all light, brakes, etc. etc.
If wondering, my Jayco TT is at a seasonal camp site. I "contract" Winterizing tasks out. I either pay them $60 to winterize or spend the same on Gasoline (to perform 3 hour round trip) - to perform the Winterizing task myself. Thus, the CG owner winterizes my TT. If wondering, each fall he by-passes its HW tank, drains the H/W tank (leaves its bottom plug out), then he uses blown air to clean out the lines. Then, he pumps RV antifreeze into the lines and plumbing goose-neck areas. Thus, ensuring its winterizing is done properly. And in the spring, he re-installs the HW plug and turns the values to normal usage settings. I simply connect the shore power water and "rinse the pipes out".
These are the minimum items I perform every year to my 2006 Jayco TT.
Hope this helps in your research...
.
|