| Returning your Caravan / RV |
 |
| When returning the RV/Caravan you rented from us,
please make sure that it is as clean as your received on your day of departure.
Take note that there will be a $35.00 per hour charge for cleaning ($50.00
minimum). Gasoline tank should be full and holding tanks empty, there is a $145.00 charge for dumping the holding tanks for you. |
Wipe the car area with water as a protection . Be sure the wheels are cool. Use and acid based cleaner for 1 minute -- no more -- then pressure rinse thoroughly. The tires should be washed with alkaline based product, again for 1 minute. This alkaline cleaner helps neutralize any acid left by the wheel cleaner. Scrub with still brush and pressure wash thoroughly. Do one wheel at a time. You will be unable to do the inside dual without removing the outer tire.
Use car soap. The brand is not as important as the use of car soap. Dish soaps are too harsh and can spot the paint or cause smearing. Waterless car wash products are not recommended, except for very occasional use. Wash out of direct sunlight and wash from the top down. Rise first, apply soap and rub. You may use a pressure wash but only on low pressure. Use a separate mitt for wheel wells.
This is a way to remove tree saps, etc. from your vehicle. For all saps except cottonwood, use a product called Brite Stick Clay Bar (this is Canadian, I am not sure of the US equivalent). This stuff is the consistency of Play Dough and will work until it turns black. Put a light soap solution on a horizontal surface and rub the surface, kneading the Bar and turning clean surfaces to the front. For cottonwood sap, use rubbing alcohol.
Engine Dressing. To "shine up" use a water based dressing. Because it is flammable, use it on a dry engine, thoroughly spray on the dressing and let it dry.
The best way is to take household bleach, 1/4 cup to each 15 gallons of tank capacity. Mix some in water (so you're not using straight bleach), and fill the tank. Run all the faucets (except the toilet) to get the solution in all the lines. Drive around the block to slosh it; then empty it. Next use a half cup of regular baking soda dissolved in a bucket of water. Fill the tank again and then drain it. Then fill and drain it one more time. At this point your tank should be pristine. Make sure you drain the system if your RV is to be left in cold weather. Burst pipes can cause a great deal of damage. Open all faucets then find low point drains (2) underneath the trailer and remove plugs leave open.
Completely drain. There is usually a drain underneath for this. On Trail Lite Travel trailers there is a valve located behind the spare tire on the wall. If no valve can be located, turn the pump on until and leave the faucets open until the tank is empty.
Clean the with a medium bristle brush and lots of water. Do not use petroleum distillates as they may make the roof bubble.
Roof Care: If you have a rubber roof, check it for leaks a couple of times a year. Do not use silicone on either on the roof or around the exterior windows. Silicone is not an exterior sealant.
On rubber roofs, butyl tape must be used. A petroleum based product, such as putty tape, tends to break and will eventually eat through the rubber. First, clean the roof with car soap or detergent. One warning, if you use detergent, try to keep it off the sides of the rig. Detergent, or dish soap, will streak and dull the finish.
On metal roofs, you can use either putty tape or butyl tape. Again, first clean the roof. Metal roofs can be harder to clean, but it is important that you get the old sealant, tape, etc. off. If necessary, a little unleaded gasoline on a rag can help. Plasticote (product) can be used on the roof. It should be put on at least 1/8 inch thick.
On fiberglass roofs, clean with car soap. Use either type of tape.
Starbrite is a good cleaner for black streaks. Magwires Gelgloss fiberglass cleaner is good for showers.
Completely drain of water. If your W/H is gas only, remove the sacrificial element from the side of the tank. If you don’t have a wrench that will fit the fitting, use a 4-way tire iron. Open pop-off valve. If yours is a gas-electric W/H, there may be a petcock valve to open. If not the low point drain that you previously opened should drain it as well.
Don't ever open both gray water and black water valves at the same time. It's okay to keep the gray water open when you're connected; but don't flush the black water until it's about 2/3 full -- and then only after the gray system is shut down. Only use holding tank deodorizer -- other types will dry out the valves. Single ply toilet paper only. If you line the bowl with toilet paper before use, it will help keep it cleaner. Please read our USA Public Caravan Dump Sites page for more information.
Drain and rinse. Close valves. Add a small amount of RV approved antifreeze to keep valves and gaskets lubricated. Please read our USA Public Caravan Dump Sites page for more information.
Water leaks are the bane of RVers. If a connection gets loose, water gets in. A good seal is essential to avoid dry rot. Check your roofs for gaps. Do not use a silicone sealer anywhere except around windows as it can become brittle.
Black streaks are caused by aluminum -- the aluminum in window trim or along the edges of the roof. Use commercial removers or paint thinner. To wash the sides of the RV, use car soap not dish soap. Pressure washing is not recommended, as you can force water through seams into the coach.
This is one place where dish soap is recommended. First, you pull down the awning. Next, soap it on both sides. Third, roll it back up, with the soap still on. Let it sit from 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the amount of dirt. Then roll it out again, rinse it and let it air dry. Please read our Awnings page for more information.
Refrigerator, Stove, Oven and Microwave
They must be be with no food, clean, and leave doors propped open. Please read our Appliances page for more information.
Must be charged. Remove and add distilled water if needed. Store in cool dry place off of concrete. Keep charged with a battery maintainer or charge monthly while not in use.