we have just purchased a new van and am wondering what sort of maintenance we should do and how often. More so on the appliances etc I guess as we would have the van checked annually when it is serviced by an agent . But cleaning the shower and toilet , what is the best way to keep this nice and clean. Didn't want to use the wrong product and find it is doing more harm than good.
-- Edited by jbrinks on Monday 30th of March 2015 06:38:07 PM
Dougwe said
06:34 PM Mar 30, 2015
I use a product called "simple green" to clean the shower and does it easy and a good job, no chemicals so doesn't effect the grey water tank etc. I get it at the big green shed.
As for the toilet, there is a topic going in "Techies' Corner" that you might find helpful or interesting. I just rince the canister out with clean water after each empty.
NeilandRaine said
07:18 PM Mar 30, 2015
Make sure you change the anode in your hot water service every six months. Probably one of the most important maintenance jobs.
I usually put the van in for a full under van service every 12 months when it goes in for a pink slip.
We use the T Bags for our toilet, works for us and a lot less messy. All the other stuff you treat like you would treat anything in your house
Treecrest14 said
08:05 PM Mar 30, 2015
Check if your hot water system has a sacrificial anode. Some brands don't!
If the van is being stored for a period of time, best to protect the tyres as they can deteriorate, and empty the water tanks. We also empty our HWS as it is a 14lt storage one.
Bruce and Bev said
10:59 PM Mar 30, 2015
if youre not using your van for months and its sitting in the driveway, many people jack it up off its wheel and block it under the chassis to take pressure off the tyres - also cover the one that's in the sun all day with a piece of ply or even canvas (don't use a plastic tarp as it will rattle in the wind and wake you up at night)
Don't put grease on your tow ball - dust ad grit will stick to it and wear it out as well as making a terrible noise. There are some on this Forum who swear that an ordinary plastic bag (like a supermarket bag) put between the tow ball and hitch of your van acts like a lubricant and saves wear and tear. Yet to try it
We have a S.S hot water cylinder so it doesn't have an anode - but we do drain it when not in use - s.s. rusts as well
We use the same household products to clean the stove top, grill, oven and shower. Many use napisan in their toilets and swear by it having used it for years both for cleaning and to dissolve waste. Be careful to avoid this while the toilet is under warranty as you will void it. We spray all the rubber bits of the toilet once a year with olive oil spray to keep it freely moving, clean the bowl with normal type toilet cleaner - nothing too harsh and a newish product out called Porta Pack. These look like oversized tea bags and smell very sweet. Just drop one through the toilet with about 1.5 litres of water and they will dissolve anything, including 4 ply toilet paper (don't waste money on the bush pack ones they sell at Dealers shops and camping shops). The little bags come in different colours and smells. Only use the blue ones if you want the job done properly. They are made in the USA and distributed nationally by Camec (a major RV parts supplier). Buy them in most caravan and camping shops. Don't pay more than $20 for a pack that will last you (depending on the efficiency of your bladder and bowel lol) for about 2-3 months. If you choose to waste money and buy Thetford liquid - then only use the blue one - the others do a poor job of dissolving solids (just like our tea bags - and no we don't mix them up when making a cuppa as the toilet ones and very strong, sweet smelling !!
BarbandDaz said
05:00 PM Mar 31, 2015
Not heard about the tea bags - what do you do with them before putting them in the loo??? any particular brand???
patrolst said
10:49 PM Mar 31, 2015
I believe these sachets are what is being referred to as tea bag's.
we have just purchased a new van and am wondering what sort of maintenance we should do and how often. More so on the appliances etc I guess as we would have the van checked annually when it is serviced by an agent . But cleaning the shower and toilet , what is the best way to keep this nice and clean. Didn't want to use the wrong product and find it is doing more harm than good.
-- Edited by jbrinks on Monday 30th of March 2015 06:38:07 PM
I use a product called "simple green" to clean the shower and does it easy and a good job, no chemicals so doesn't effect the grey water tank etc. I get it at the big green shed.
As for the toilet, there is a topic going in "Techies' Corner" that you might find helpful or interesting. I just rince the canister out with clean water after each empty.
I usually put the van in for a full under van service every 12 months when it goes in for a pink slip.
We use the T Bags for our toilet, works for us and a lot less messy. All the other stuff you treat like you would treat anything in your house
Check if your hot water system has a sacrificial anode. Some brands don't!
If the van is being stored for a period of time, best to protect the tyres as they can deteriorate, and empty the water tanks. We also empty our HWS as it is a 14lt storage one.
Don't put grease on your tow ball - dust ad grit will stick to it and wear it out as well as making a terrible noise. There are some on this Forum who swear that an ordinary plastic bag (like a supermarket bag) put between the tow ball and hitch of your van acts like a lubricant and saves wear and tear. Yet to try it
We have a S.S hot water cylinder so it doesn't have an anode - but we do drain it when not in use - s.s. rusts as well
We use the same household products to clean the stove top, grill, oven and shower. Many use napisan in their toilets and swear by it having used it for years both for cleaning and to dissolve waste. Be careful to avoid this while the toilet is under warranty as you will void it. We spray all the rubber bits of the toilet once a year with olive oil spray to keep it freely moving, clean the bowl with normal type toilet cleaner - nothing too harsh and a newish product out called Porta Pack. These look like oversized tea bags and smell very sweet. Just drop one through the toilet with about 1.5 litres of water and they will dissolve anything, including 4 ply toilet paper (don't waste money on the bush pack ones they sell at Dealers shops and camping shops). The little bags come in different colours and smells. Only use the blue ones if you want the job done properly. They are made in the USA and distributed nationally by Camec (a major RV parts supplier). Buy them in most caravan and camping shops. Don't pay more than $20 for a pack that will last you (depending on the efficiency of your bladder and bowel lol) for about 2-3 months. If you choose to waste money and buy Thetford liquid - then only use the blue one - the others do a poor job of dissolving solids (just like our tea bags - and no we don't mix them up when making a cuppa as the toilet ones and very strong, sweet smelling !!
Not heard about the tea bags - what do you do with them before putting them in the loo??? any particular brand???
I believe these sachets are what is being referred to as tea bag's.
http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Bio-Pak-Express-15-Additive-Sachets.aspx?pid=293195&menuFrom=571626#Recommendations
It becomes very confusing when the correct terminology is not used.
Thanks for all the replies the old van was easy to look after this one is a lot more technical!