Tech Q&A: Winterizing Tips, Replacing RV Furniture, Towing with a Motorhome and More

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Wrangling Winter

Q: My husband and I have a 2024 Keystone Cougar 22MLS travel trailer, and we are very new to owning an RV. I have a couple questions. How should we winterize our new RV? We’ve watched videos but we’re unsure. And can someone come out and do this for us, or do we have to head for our nearest RV servicing location?

—Shelly Sterling-Williams, Bogota, NJ

A: Welcome to the huge family of RVers! I’m pleased to help. Let me answer your questions in order of appearance.

There are two basic ways to winterize the water system. One involves using air pressure to blow water out of the plumbing system. The other utilizes special RV antifreeze designed to be used in potable water systems. Freshwater, gray water and black water systems
must be drained, including the water heater.

The black water tank should be flushed and drained again, followed by adding some toilet chemical to prevent odor buildup. Information on this should be included in the packet of papers you received when you bought the rig. This will include items specific to your vehicle, such as water filters, ice makers, etc., which can’t be fully addressed here. Make sure the water heater is drained, and the U-shaped drain traps under sinks are drained or filled with RV antifreeze.

Other things need to be done, too, such as covering the tires to protect from sun damage, rodent proofing and battery maintenance charging. Refer to the instructions included with the RV.

As for on-site service, Google “mobile RV repair” to see what’s available. But it’s good to learn how to maintain your vehicle yourself!

Photo Credit: Jayco

Couch Conundrum

Q: I own a 2017 Jayco JayFeather. I had the original jackknife-type couch reupholstered and upgraded the cushions, hoping it would be more comfortable. It is not used for sleeping, just sitting. Can you tell me if it’s possible to replace the jackknife couch with a small loveseat recliner? And if so, how would I locate this? It needs to be a perfect fit—the couc basically is the top of the cargo storage area.

— Maureen Scheer, Mesa, AZ

A: You can shop at a furniture store—or if on a tight budget, a liquidation store or second hand shop. Just carefully measure and write down the dimensions of the one you have now. Bring those dimensions and a tape measure when shopping. You should be able to find something that will fit that space. If the floor under the couch is not solid, you could cover it with plywood. Good luck!

Fishtail Fears

Q: We have RVed for almost 50 years, with travel trailers and fifth-wheels. We just purchased our first motorhome, a 2024 Jayco Greyhawk 31F Class C, with the JRide Plus System installed. I am concerned about reports of fishtailing with the Ford F-450 chassis. The plan was to install a Blue Ox towing system and tow our 2019 Ford Ranger 4×4 truck. The Ford Ranger is similar in weight to the GMC Canyon. Any idea if the JRide system installed by Jayco will be adequate to handle any sway?

— R. Bruce Henry, Austin, MN

A: The Jayco JRide is an excellent system of quality components, but it is primarily designed to improve the ride quality for passengers. Tail sway is a known problem with motorhomes that have long rear overhangs, such as yours. I suggest you try towing without any changes, and if swaying is a concern, install a rear track bar, which reduces side-to-side rear-axle movement. A popular one is the Supersteer Model SS451.

Photo Credit: WD-40

Miracle Substance

Q: Not so much a question as an observation: I read your recent reply to an RV owner who was struggling with oxidation. I have a 2014 Heartland Wilderness travel trailer that I keep outside year-round. I’ve had the same issue, and initially I used a commercial fiberglass restorer. This proved too time consuming and laborious. While lubricating some hinges with WD-40, I noticed that where the spray spilled on to the fiberglass, the finish was restored.

— Michael Grooms, Falcon, CO

A: Thanks for sharing your tip, Michael. Although this is a temporary fix, it’s also fairly easy and inexpensive. I’m sure some folks will find it helpful.

Photo Credit: Frank Peters/Getty

Retire Those Tires?

Q: We currently own a 10-year-old Itasca Meridian 36-foot motorhome, on a Freightliner chassis with 22.5-inch Michelin XZE2 tires. Most tire experts seem to recommend replacing RV tires every seven years when they are stored outside. Our motorhome, on the other hand, has been stored in a garage in northern Nevada since new, and is exposed to the elements for six to eight weeks a year. The tires appear to be in excellent shape with plenty of tread and virtually no visible sidewall cracking. Based on these conditions, what is the life expectancy?

— Bill Waite, Gardnerville, NV

A: There really is no reliable guideline beyond the seven-year replacement recommendation. After that time, it depends on visual inspection—and how risk-tolerant you are. It’s a crap shoot. A blowout, particularly on the front, can cause an accident or serious damage. Some folks on a tight budget change the fronts first; some keep the old tires only on the inner duals. You’ll have to decide for yourself.

With 10-year-old tires, I would change them. Rather than driving around on an old set of tires—which could fail anytime and leave you stranded (or worse) in a remote area with a very expensive road call or towing bill—you can shop around for the best tires and deal at your leisure before you leave on a trip. You’re going to need tires anyway, so why not get them right away for peace of mind?