Ready to kick winter to the curb and do a full send into summer? While we’re definitely still enjoying every inch of snow here in Montrose, we’re also eager to get the bikes out and shred some single track! Whether you’re heading to Baja for the rest of the winter, escaping to the desert or just getting prepared for the heat that’s soon to come, we wanted to share some tips in advance to ensure your rig is ready for all your summer shenanigans.
Dewinterizing and sanitizing your tanks
Dewinterizing
Pro tip (from experience): Before you jump into dewinterizing, add a few gallons of water to your water tank and turn on the water pump to check for leaks. No leaks? Let’s dewinterize!
You probably used one of two methods to winterize your van: the blowout method or the antifreeze method. Depending on which method you used, you will want to reverse those steps to dewinterize your van. If you have a manufactured van, these steps will be listed in your owner’s manual.
If you used the antifreeze method, you’ll need to flush it before use. This means filling the water tank, running water through the system, and draining it again to remove any antifreeze or other winterizing agents from the system. Don’t forget to do both the hot and the cold lines one at a time.
Sanitize the tanks
Sanitizing the tanks is important, especially if your van has been sitting for a while. You never know what’s been growing in your tanks and water lines. To do this, grab some chlorine and water and make a solution by mixing one gallon of water with ¼ cup of household chlorine. Using the gravity fill and pour one gallon of solution into your fresh water tank for every fifteen gallons of tank capacity. Fill the tank the remainder of the way with fresh water, turn on the water pump, and open up both hot and cold faucets until you smell a chlorine smell. Shut off the water and let the solution sit for at least four hours. This process can be sped up by making a more concentrated solution. After letting the solution sit, you can drain and flush the system until you no longer smell chlorine.
Checklist of things to consider when preparing your van for summer:
Start with a deep clean
If you know Tim, you know how much he loves keeping his vans clean. So, let’s start with a good ole’ exterior bath.. If you’ve spent any time in the snow, you know how important it is to wash off all the road salts before it starts causing corrosion to the paint and damage to your rig. While you’re at it, take some time to inspect the roof, seals, and exterior of the van for any cracks or wear and tear.
This is also a good time to give the inside a deep clean as well. Each season I like to take everything out of the van, wash it, donate items I don’t use, then swap out winter gear for summer gear. This is a great opportunity to deep clean every inch of the van. I’m talking cleaning the Maxx Air Fan screen, scrubbing down the floors, sanitizing the refrigerator, vacuuming out drawers, the whole 9 yards.
Check the battery
If you’ve left your van unused for a long period, it’s important to check the battery. The battery may have lost charge, so get that baby recharged before using the van.
Check the tires and brakes
Make sure that your tires are appropriate for summer driving conditions. Check the tire pressure and tread depth, and consider switching to summer tires if you have winter tires on. Your van’s tires may have lost air pressure during the winter months, so make sure to inflate them to the recommended level. Give the tires a good once over for any cracks, bulges, or other signs of damage. You should also inspect your brakes to make sure they’re in good working condition and replace any worn-out brake pads or discs.
Check the fluid levels
Before heading out on a long adventure, change the oil and check that all fluids (coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, etc.) are at the appropriate levels. You should also check for any leaks or signs of wear and tear to help prevent any breakdowns or other issues that could derail your plans.
Test the appliances
Check all the appliances in your van, including the stove, refrigerator, and heater. Make sure they’re all in good working condition and replace any broken parts if necessary.
If you own a manufactured rig, you should be able to find a chart in your owner’s manual with a breakdown of how often various things should be checked (weekly, monthly, yearly, or every time you use your van).
Gear
Now it’s time for the fun part! Grab your bikes, kayaks, paddleboards, kayaks, whatever your heart desires, and make sure that you have the appropriate racks and storage options to safely transport your gear. If you don’t, reach out to your friends at Adrenaline Vans for help 🙂
Use the van
By following these tips, you can easily transition your van from winter activities to summer activities, and enjoy all the fun and excitement that the open road has to offer. We hope this list will help ensure that your van is in good condition before heading out on some epic adventures. Now, hop in the van and do some rad shit! Happy vanning!
