Hey! All you RV’ers!! Have you survived the soggy September!! I really thought of ordering pontoons there for a while! Looked like we might have to make all RV’s float-able!! The rain was needed, just seems we got it all at once! Our 1957 Spartan recycled to Parts & Supply Store sits with it’s front end in a sandy, shallow depression. A large water puddle has formed there, and now has tadpoles swimming in the clear water !!
Our South Texas Fall is beginning. Bird migration has been underway for a few weeks. With these weather changes come additional chores to ready your RV for cooler days and nights.
If you haven’t already removed and washed the furnace duct covers and vacuumed the hose runs, do so now. Find the inside access to the furnace area, look for a grate under a cabinet door, remove it and vacuum the area around the furnace. Be thorough, and careful not to dislodge any wires or ducts. Use a flashlight to check the area for mud dabber nests, etc.
Check your LP/CO2 detector and smoke alarm batteries. Your CO2//LP detector is located close to the floor, close to bedroom or by kitchen cabinets. It is connected to your 12v system. Did you know it will also let your know if your RV battery is low? Be careful not to use any aerosol sprays or disinfectant sprays or wipes close to the CO2/LP alarm. They will most definitely ruin it!! Never disconnect this alarm, Please! It is there to protect YOU! All Done? You are ready to check the furnace function. Make sure you have LP in your tank and it is turned on. Pick a cool morning, turn off the AC, and turn the furnace thermostat to 90o.( I like to open the door because the first “lighting” always seems to blow dust and stale odors, which can set off your smoke and CO2/LP alarms.) The fan should come on and a couple of minutes later you should hear the burner light. It may not light first try, if not, turn it off, let it rest 2-3 minutes and try again. There may be air in the line that needs to be purged. Be Safe!! If it does not light, call for service!!
Be aware your RV furnace is an LP guzzler!! In 30’s temperatures it is not uncommon to deplete a 30 lb tank in 3-5 days!! To supplement that hungry beast, purchase a couple of Ceramic space heaters. Why ceramic? They draw less electricity, provide better heat coverage and can be plugged in all EXCEPT SLIDE OUT outlets. Your slide out has smaller wiring and cannot safely support anything more than a lamp, phone charger, etc. It’s a good time to remind you to not use appliances in your RV that instructs you not to use them with an extension cord. Why? Because your RV IS an Extension Cord. Check for the Ceramic Heaters now!! P.O.C. Hardware, Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, Amazon, Ace and other hardware and household merchants will be stocking them as a seasonal item.
Using the Ceramic heaters allows you to keep the furnace temp set between 55o and 60o . This means the furnace will seldom come on, because the Ceramic heaters are keeping the RV toasty!! In extremely cold weather we may do a 70o to 75o “ furnace burn” for very short periods of time. Generally early mornings and just before retiring for the night. The “furnace burn” warms the underbelly of your RV and your water lines which are placed very close to the duct work. Early morning “ furnace burn” gives a quick warm up throughout the RV especially soothing to the toes on non-carpeted floors. More next time on winter tips! Going to change that to cooler weather tips! Winter just reads to harsh! After all we are the warm weather place to be!! Happy Halloween!!
Need Supplies? Have Questions? Need Service?
Call or stop by T&A RV, 1660 Lane Road, Seadrift, TX.
361-524-8707
Tues thru Sat: 8am to 5pm
We Appreciate ALL of our customer support!!!!ThankYOU!!!!!
Thom and Alice
