Summer is right around the corner, so it’s a good time to do some routine RV chassis maintenance before you hit the highways with friends and family. To ensure a smooth ride, Freightliner Chassis suggests several “know before you go” tips from maintenance and service expert Mike Cody, director of Camp Freightliner. Please consider sharing these with your readers to help them have a relaxing and safe summer road trip season:
1. On chassis equipped with a rear radiator, it’s important that the radiator and charge air cooler be inspected at regular intervals. We recommend that you inspect the charge air cooler every 7,500 miles. Dust and air are constantly blowing through the radiator and can cause build up and reduce airflow through the cooling system.
2. If it has been more than 18 months or 24,000 miles since the last transmission has been serviced, change the fluid and filter.
3. Check the charge level of the battery and make sure to clean ends of battery cables. Always connect the positive (+) cable first and then the negative. Coat the battery terminals and connectors with a protective sealant.
4. Turn the ignition to the RUN position to verify that the fuel gauge and voltmeter are operating properly.
5. Check all exterior lights and replace bulbs that have gone out.
FCCC provides additional tips and maintenance checklists for your personal use on their website. Also, for all motorhome enthusiasts and owners, check out Camp Freightliner, a comprehensive and captivating two-day training session to learn more about chassis maintenance and the benefits of driving a motorhome. Registration is now open and space is limited.
I would like to know the correct procedure for cleaning a Cummins ISB rear radiator including the charge air cooler. Also, a list of recommended cleaners to do this job would be appreciated.
I found this post on the RVlivin.com forum:
The fan on rear radiators acts like a vacuum cleaning to suck up all of the dirt on the road and deposit it in the radiator fins. Actually, most of that dirt gets into the Charge Air Cooler (CAC) first and you definitely don’t want that plugged up either. I’ve had good success with carefully spraying the radiator (concentrate on the outer edges) with Simple Green (a general purpose cleaner that can be obtained at supermarkets, etc.), allowing it to sit about 1/2 an hour and then rising it until the water runs clear. The first time, it took two treatments to get everything cleared out.
But you’d be better off contacting Cummins and/or your motorhome manufacture’s customer support for their recommendations.