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Old 06-19-2013, 01:30 PM   #1
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What is your routine maintenance routine?

Hello,

It's been a while since i posted anything new. I thought I had about killed the "Sprinter Chassis" forum here with my last snoozer.

Many months ago I posted that these SMB conversions were more than vans that could just be parked in the driveway and left until the next trip. There is a heightened level of maintenance and care required and some of that will depend on your personal van's level of upfitting (I like that term "upfitting" - hey, Mercedes uses it...).

I now know my routine is that every week I make sure that the coach batteries are topped off by either running the generator or plugging in to shore power (I was told at check out by SMB that these batteries need topping off and just driving doesn't do it). Every month I check the generator and run it for an hour or so while on a load (typically running something like the ac to make it work and not just idle the whole time). From time to time I walk around and check to make sure the propane tank is holding pressure (never a problem) and make sure the stove works. One thing I haven't done is anything with the water that is usually left after a trip. If it sits for a while I usually add some chlorine to the water system (1 tsp per 5 gallons) to sanitize it before I start the next trip. Pretty much everything else is real basic so it doesn't need anything special as far as maintenance.

So that is my routine and it is pretty basic.

My question is "am I missing anything?" and "what do you do for routine maintenance that is specific to a converted van?".

Thanks.


Chumley

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Old 06-19-2013, 04:35 PM   #2
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Re: What is your routine maintenance routine?

Cleaning and dusting. Especially the frig.
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Old 06-19-2013, 08:35 PM   #3
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What is your routine maintenance routine?

Other than checking the fluids, I check the tire pressure OFTEN, and nowadays the rear airbag pressure too.
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Old 06-20-2013, 05:21 AM   #4
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Re: What is your routine maintenance routine?

Tony's crazy maintenance plan when arriving back home from trip:

Step 1 - Back into driveway, unload van
Step 2 - Plug into house power
Step 3 - Make sure I lock the doors (Don't want any kids stealing beer from my fridge!)
Plan Complete

No water to sanitize/chlorinate.
No propane to fill / lines to check.
No tanks to empty / top off.
No generators to run.

I suppose I have a lot more add-ons to look into!


Where is the Mercedes version of this pic???

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Old 06-20-2013, 06:04 AM   #5
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Re: What is your routine maintenance routine?

Normal auto stuff per owners manual

End of trip, drain fresh water tank and fill w city water ( aka: water w residual chlorination present). If tank then sets for extended time before next trip, drain and refill w fresh water just before starting trip.

Empty and clean toilet if used.

Empty, clean, air ice chest

Shovel out trash and laundry. Restock w clean clothing and bedding so it's really to go.

If van is going to set for several weeks: hock up to shore power or throw the house battery "kill" switch
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