Premier Posts - Premier RV Professionals

Roof Preventative Maintenance - Keeping your RV's Roof In Top Condition

admin@coloradospremierrvservices.com (Colorado's Premier RV Services) — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 06:45:00 GMT

Roof Maintenance - The Forgotten Maintenance

This post may contain affiliate links.

Your RV's roof is there for you rain or shine. It keeps you protected, so why not keep it protected?

Did you know that manufacturers recommend cleaning and conditioning your RV's roof every six months in order to prevent wear and tear and extend the life of your RV's roof?

There are several roof types for trailers and some class c motorized coaches, but they can all be maintained in the same way with the same products.

It is extremely important to have the roof preventative maintenance performed prior to winter if you store your RV outside. Snow melt can find its way into cracks and voids. It freezes and makes the voids and cracks larger, increasing the chances of water damage to your RVs roof.

For the do-it yourself crowd, it is a fairly simple 2 part process.

Using a soft bristle brush, wash the roof with an RV rubber roof cleaner. (Don't forget to close all the windows and vents!)

We recommend this brush .

We also recommend NOT using a power washer. The intensity of the spray can cut right through fabric. We have also had several customers needing AC repairs due to power washing incidents.

Not sure what to use for cleaner? Dicor has great products that we use right here in our shop.

Dicor Corporation Rubber Roof Cleaner Gallon

Once you have washed and rinsed the roof, allow time to thoroughly dry. This is a great chance to complete an inspection.

Inspect seams along all four roof edges. Look for delamination, missing bolts/screws, or clear signs of water damage.

Inspect seals around air conditioning units, roof vents, skylights, RV antenna, solar panels, and any other areas where the roof has been penetrated.

If you can tell whether the screws holding items down are Square head or Philips, the sealant is too thin...

Look for cracks and voids in the sealant - if you can find them, so can water.

Look for dents/holes or tears in the rubber from objects that may have fallen on your RV during the winter. If you find areas that require reapplication of the sealant, always choose a product designed for your RV roof. Use self-leveling lap sealant for the roof, and standard (not self-leveling) lap sealant for sloped or vertical areas, like gutters and corners.

We also use Dicor's sealing/re-sealing products here at our shop. Make sure to find the color that most closely matches your roof material.

Once all of the sealant dries thoroughly, you will want to apply a Roof Protectant. This product both conditions your roof and contains a UV protectant.

Climbing onto your RV roof can be a dangerous proposition! Deciding whether to take on an RV roof coating job yourself or leave it to a pro is a personal decision and one that should be made with safety in mind. For those of you that are not comfortable with getting up on the roof or such a tall ladder and would rather leave it to the pros, give us a call and we can have you ready for spring in no time!

How to Keep Rodents OUT of your RV

admin@coloradospremierrvservices.com (Colorado's Premier RV Services) — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 20:30:02 GMT

Prevention Is Key to a Happy Ending

Outfitted with a hazmat suit, booties and a respirator, Nate gets ready for today's job. No, he is not with the CDC on site at the latest outbreak, he is an RV technician about to crawl into the underbelly of a 5th wheel to fix the extensive damage done to its plumbing and ductwork by some uninvited guests.

Mice can be cute but mostly they are just a menace. Rodents chew holes, destroy walls, electrical lines, plumbing and ductwork, leave droppings that can carry diseases and can ruin your RV in just a few months of storage. Clean up and repair can be costly. The best way to fix a rodent problem is to stop it before it starts.

Rodents are looking for the basics, food and a place to live - preferably all in the same location. If you ensure there is not any food available for them, they may just keep looking elsewhere.

Take all of the food out of your RV in between trips. This includes items such as bags of pasta or boxes of crackers or other nonperishables as they will chew right through the containers. Don’t forget to remove Fido’s food and treats too!
Thoroughly clean the RV after each trip. Wipe down the cabinets where food is stored and crumbs that fell in the oven or under the burners on your stove. Vacuum shelves, flooring and under cabinets and seat cushions (or anywhere children may have been snacking).

Once you have taken away all of their food sources, it is time to make the RV less enticing as a place to live. There are plenty of natural smells that deter rodents. Studies have shown that rodents dislike peppermint oil, mothballs, dryer sheets and yes….Irish Spring bar soap! These items can be placed in cabinets, near the seams of your slide-out and in your cargo bays.

A great product that our customers swear by is Fresh Cab Botanical Rodent Repellent .

It is non-toxic, made in the USA and there is NO MESS!!! They come in little pouches that you place near entry points to repel the rodents. Replace them every 3 month for maximum effectiveness.

Poisons are not recommended. Whether it is because it seems cruel or possibly dangerous in your mind, especially if you have children or pets, our technicians do not recommend it for one very basic reason. The rodent may be hiding in your RV when the poison kicks in. No one likes to play the “find that smell” game.

Traps are also an option for “catching” the critters before they get inside your RV. There are box traps, glue traps and old-fashioned spring traps, some are humane - some are not. Just remember that these are not exactly a “hands-off” method as the traps and whatever it is that gets trapped must be properly disposed of which can be a negative to many people. Remember not to use bait in your traps. That only invites the unwanted guest with smells.

So you have decided on your deterrents… Now what?

Inspect your RV. There are so many places that are vulnerable in and on an RV as an entry point for rodents. Take a good look at all the places that could let unwanted guests into your travel trailer or motorhome, such as the seams along your slide-out, the HVAC system, door and window gaskets, and even holes along the underside of your RV by the sewer, water, or electrical lines. Get a flashlight and get to inspecting!

Remember, they only need the size of a dime opening to get in. Holes can be filled with expanding spray foam or caulking. You can also cover it with foil tape or stuff the opening with steel wool.

With these tips and tricks, hopefully the only house guests you have are those you have invited!

How to Properly Store Your Batteries for Winter

admin@coloradospremierrvservices.com (Colorado's Premier RV Services) — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 18:30:02 GMT

Storing Your Batteries In The Off Season

In addition to fixing plumbing issues that resulted from RVs not being winterized correctly or not at all, the replacement of RV batteries is one of the top items that Colorado’s Premier RV Services gets requests for in the springtime. To help mitigate additional stress for our customers in the spring and to help you save some money, we have laid out the do’s and don’ts of off season battery storage.

Do: Clean It and Keep It Clean

It’s important to clean the battery casing and the terminals thoroughly before you connect anything to it and to keep it clean throughout the battery’s life cycle. Dirt and corrosion can increase a battery’s discharge rate. As long as the battery is properly cleaned before it is stored, you should be able to keep it clean and dust free with just a clean dry rag for dusting.

Don’t: Store Without a Charge

One of the worst things you can do is store a battery away for months at a time without charging it. All batteries have a natural rate of self-discharge. By not charging the battery fully prior to storage, it increases the probability that you will have a completely dead battery that can’t be revived this spring.

Do: Ensure It’s Completely Disconnected

If you’re not planning on removing the battery completely from the RV, you’ll need to make sure that the battery is disconnected from any and all terminals. It’s important that nothing touches the battery terminals that could potentially create a discharge.

Do: Plan For Off Season Charging

Whether you will be using a trickle charger or just plan to hook up a standard charger every so often while the battery is in storage, it’s important to make sure that you have the charger you need and that it is in good working order. A battery that has been kept charged throughout its lifecycle will last longer and perform at peak levels throughout its lifespan.

Do: Store In a Controlled Environment

Your batteries should be stored off the ground and in a temperature controlled environment. Moisture and extreme temperatures will increase your batteries’ rate of self-discharge. It is best to store the battery above 32°F and below 80°F.

Don’t: Store It and Forget It

Batteries are not items you can put away for the winter and forget about. They have to be checked and maintained throughout the entire time they are in storage. Pay attention to the charge levels. Some maintenance chargers have an auto shut-off and some don’t. You’ll want to make sure your charger is keeping the battery right in the charge range as outlined by the manufacturer.

If you are in the market for one, we use this Battery Tender by Deltran.

Once you know how, properly storing a battery is an easy and effective way to lengthen the life of your battery and keep it working like new. Of course, if you find yourself in need of a new battery, Colorado’s Premier RV Services can help. As an Interstate Battery authorized dealer, we have what you need in stock. If you are looking to upgrade, ask about Battleborn Lithium batteries.

Victron Energy In Colorado

admin@coloradospremierrvservices.com (Colorado's Premier RV Services) — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 16:47:20 GMT

Where the Pros Go for Service

Victron Energy was recently in Colorado with their training trailer for their North American tour. The company provided technician training in Colorado Springs and then offered an Open Trailer Day in the Denver area for anyone who was curious about their products, wanted hands-on training or just to speak with the leading experts for energy on the go.

While in Colorado, the Victron team took advantage of having our highly trained certified technicians available to make a few repairs to their trailer.

Colorado's Premier RV Services was able to replace a hydraulic hose that had burst. Making all of our own hoses in house allows us to take care of customers on the spot no matter the length needed.

Colorado's Premier RV Services was also able to repair some finish work on the inside of the trailer while Victron hung out at the shop.

Colorado's Premier RV Services is stocked with Victron Energy products, Battleborn lithium batteries and solar panels for all of your customized energy needs. Call us today to schedule your consultation appointment and estimate.