hi to all,just got a new mh & we want to keep it for along time & keep the maintenance down,will it help if we put it on alxes stands. allso have any one had a ac unit fitted,all tips are welcome,thanks wango,
It would be better to drive it regularly, say 15miles every fortnight if you are not using it over winter for example, rather than put it on axle stands.
As above, i move mine at least once every 2 weeks if not going to local meets with the C& caravanning club. It stops rust on the discs/it keeps the clutch and all its moving parts working properly, and anyway why buy a bloody expensive motorhome if you are going keep it on axle stands??? JOIN the club and get out at the meets at weekends, meet and make friends with like minded people.
I have to agree that it does more harm to a vehicle to let it stand and do nothing for long periods than to run it occassionally. The majority of engine oil drains into the sump so the piston bores become dry and likewise with the gearbox which produces excessive wear when the engine is started. The brake discs will go rusty and the brake pad slides will tend to cease as well plus the exhaust pipe is more likely to rust from the inside out from condensation. The battery is less likely to hold a constant charge and the tyres will also slowly lose pressure like a caravan does when it's not used often. You have the freedom of getting away at weekends and it doesn't have to be costly either if you join the Camping & Caravanning Club and attend some of their local DA meets. I would definitely think twice about putting the motorhome on axle stands and leaving it standing for a lengthy time.
There's some kind of meet at Ripon racecourse now. I can't imagine owt worse for a few nights away. Crammed together like a breakers yard, the peace must be, well, non-existent. I really can't see the attraction of these gatherings. We are in a five van field maybe half a mile away, and you can hear the birds breathe. While the racecourse resembles a traveling circus. As for the OP's dilemma, not everyone has the time and/or money to get away as often as they'd like.
I would certainly agree that it's best "kept moving"..even if I wasn't able to actually get away in it,I would certainly be taking it out for a drive every couple of weeks,rather than "disabling" it by propping it up on stands(..even if it only entailed a lap of the bypass,to get in up to temp'..).
..and chassis/engine aside,MHs can also suffer from "sleepy van syndrome"...that is, something that worked fine during the last outing,can for some strange reason, fail to function,a month later..?!?