Adverse affects

Valkev
Valkev Forum Participant Posts: 13
edited March 2020 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

We received an email today informing us that the facility we us to store our motorhome is locking its gate and not allowing anyone to visit there vehicle. I'm wondering what adverse affects this would have on the motorhome if the engine is not run up to temperature say once a fortnight, but left to stand idle for what could be months.

Comments

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,859 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2020 #2

    Valkev

    Opinions differ if you read this thread https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-together/discussions/welcome-hobby-talk/caravan-motorhome-chat/exercising-your-motorhome/

    David

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2020 #3

    Probably none. It’s better to run and use a motor vehicle regularly but when needs must……

    Even if there are going to be adverse effects, I doubt there’s anything you can do about it and others will be in the same position.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited March 2020 #4

    I would have thought that for some batteries going flat might present a problem. I have however known a car stored for over 5 months have a problem with the clutch plate sticking to the flywheel If I left my X-Trail with hand brake on the rear pads would also stick to the discs after a prolonged period.

  • Rufs
    Rufs Club Member Posts: 4,072 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2020 #5

    personally i never leave the hand brake on either carvan or car if being left for a couple of weeks or more, always leave in a suitable gear and put a couple of housebricks behind the wheels. Certainly left our town car for 3 months whilst in Spain and starts first time, but have to say it does not have all these sophisticated alarms that are fitted on todays vehicles which it would appear just drain the battery.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited March 2020 #6

    IMHO starting the vehicle once a fortnight does more harm than leaving it for month. 

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2020 #7

    Don't know about the OPs motorhome, but I have no choice with my car regarding the parking brake. As soon as I switch off, it automatically applies the parking brake. There is a 'service release' that breakdown and garage people can use via the OBD port or dismantling a few bits of the car, but for me the owner, it has to be as it is.frown

  • LeTouriste
    LeTouriste Forum Participant Posts: 348
    edited March 2020 #8

    In Metheven’s case, it seems there is no remedy.  I would ask the service dept if the automatic handbrake actually locks the brake pads to the discs, or does it lock the transmission as does the ‘P’  position in an automatic gearbox. Otherwise, unless the vehicle is on a significant incline, putting it in either first or reverse gear and leaving a handbrake off would suffice in the case of a manual handbrake.

    My vehicle is an automatic, which I believe locks the transmission when the selector is in the Past position, but I still habitually apply the handbrake at all times when parked.

    A different problem for me, is that the instrument panel only illuminates when the headlights.  I thought there was a fault but apparently this is a normal feature.  On dull days, when lights are not required, I still like to have my panel illuminated, and I now have to switch my headlights on dipped beam to achieve this.

    Are manufacturers trying to be too clever?

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