BENT’S RV 8057 AIRLINE DRIVE • METAIRIE, LA 70003 • (504) 738-2368 • FAX (504) 738-2601

14412 Highway 90 • Boutte, LA 70036 • (985) 758-2368 • FAX 985) 758-2601

Professional Guidance for a Hassle

Free RV Ownership Experience

Guard Against Leaks

Slide out Care & Knowledge

Fiberglass & Gel-Coat Care

Tire & Axles

Battery Maintenance

Protecting your Investment

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Bent’s RV OwneR’s Guide

The RV Lifestyle is a fantastic adventure. We want your ownership experience to be filled

with happy memories. The manufacturer’s owner’s manual is your guide to a healthy RV

and a happy RV experience.

Owner’s Responsibilities

1. If you have any questions about the operation of your RV call Bent’s RV

Metairie (504) 738-2368 or Boutte (985) 758-2368

2. If your RV is in need of repair you need to call Bent’s RV Service Department to

Schedule an appointment. We want to keep any problem minor and your family safe.

3. Make sure to read the Manufacturer’s Owner’s Manual. If you are a first time camper

or a seasoned RV veteran, it’s very important to know your RV from top to bottom.

Rv Vital Signs

RV Healthcare is something we need to talk about. Understanding

what causes RV issues before they occur will make you a happier

owner. Much like a car, your RV has maintenance requirements.

All RV’s are subject to issues that will require attention. The secret

is to catch the issues while they are small and easy to repair.

We have compiled information that we feel will help your RV last longer, hold value and

perform as designed. It’s worth your time to understand this simple booklet and the

knowledge you can gain.

1. Water…………………………………… 3

2. Slide Outs………………………………. 5

3. Gel-Coat / Fiberglass Care……………… 7

4. Tires & Axles……………………………. 8

5. Flooring………………………………… 9

6. Shore Power Cable…………………….. 10

7. Maintaining a healthy battery………….. 10

8. Fireplace & Water Heater………………… 12

9. Solid Surface Counter Tops……………… 13

10. Complete RV Maintenance Schedule……. 14

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RV Vitals 1.Water

Water is not your friend: The manufacturers seal all our RV’s to be

water tight. They test each RV for water integrity before they hit the

road.

RV’s are made to be pulled down the road to the destination of your

choice. The process of pulling RV’s at highway speeds PRODUCES

GALE / HURRICANE FORCE WINDS. This enables water to find its

way in to any unsealed opening. Campsite hazards and Mother Nature

can cause additional damage to seals and water tight integrity. Repairs

can be costly!

OWNER’S REPSPONSIBILITY:

Report possible leaks to Bent’s RV Service Department ASAP!

Inspect your RV for possible water issues every month at a

minimum.

We recommend inspecting all your RV seals each camping trip.

What needs to be inspected?

*Baggage Door Seals *Roof Fans

*Air Conditioning Unit Seals *Roof Vents

*Window Seals *Appliance Vents

*Slide-Out Seals *Sky Lights

*Door Seals *Wall Seams

*Front and Rear Cap Seals *Roof Seams

*Water/Electrical/Connections *Outside Speakers / Lights

*Water Heater Vent *Furnace Vent

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Roof inspection

WHY: Much like your house, the roof on any RV catches the brunt of what Mother Nature

dishes out. Road hazards, gale force winds and tree branches can damage roof seals.

HOW: First you need to know if your roof is walk-able (Roof Deck is strong enough to walk

on.) or not. Please check your owner’s manual. If your roof is not walk-able, you will need

to use a ladder to inspect the roof seals. Please don’t walk on a roof that is not “walk-able”,

it will cause damage to the roof structure. Just because you have a ladder on your RV does

not mean the roof is walk-able.

WHEN: Inspect all seals and “openings” on the roof every camping trip. The roof should

be inspected once every month at minimum.

Look for:

Damaged caulk seals

Roof Membrane damage

Bubbles in caulk

Loose AC or Antenna Seals

Cap and Roof Seams

Damaged Seals on Roof

SIDEWALL INSPECTION

WHY: Sidewalls are subject to road stress and gale force winds. Water will find its way into

unsealed openings. Wall damage can be expensive to repair and may not be covered under

warranty. Your goal is to catch any issue quickly and get the unit to Bent’s RV Service

Department ASAP.

HOW: Inspect all openings in the Sidewalls, Doors, Baggage Doors, Windows, Connectors,

Slide Out Openings. Outside Speakers….anything connected to the sidewall needs to be

sealed.

WHEN: We recommend you inspect your sidewalls every month. If it is possible, inspect

your RV sidewalls each trip.

DO NOT POWER WASH YOUR RV!!!!

IT WILL CAUSE SEALS TO FAIL AND GRAPHICS TO COME LOOSE.

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End caps and seams

WHY: End caps and seams are also under road stress and weather factors and need to be

checked.

HOW: With a ladder, inspect all roof and sidewall seams. Look for bulging seams, missing

caulk, large gaps, openings, rusty screws, and damage.

WHEN: Perform a cap and seam inspection when performing roof

and sidewall inspection or every month.

2. Slide outs

Slide outs (tip outs, push outs) are fantastic. The ability to add living space by extending

slide out boxes has changed the way we use RV’s. Slide outs are designed to be sturdy and

ready to camp when you are. Like all mechanical things, slide outs will need love and

attention to keep them running smooth.

Owner’s Responsibility:

For Your Safety: Please make sure your RV is level and the wheels are chocked before

operating a slide out system.

If you have a slide out issue, please get the unit to Bent’s RV Service Department ASAP.

All slide outs operate differently. Many RV’s use two different “styles” of slide outs on the

same RV.

Make sure the slide out roof (top of the slide out) is clear of all debris and water before

retracting.

Tips for a healthy Schwintek Slide-Out To resynchronize the slide motors: Please refer to your Lippert Owner’s Manual. It’s

important to HOLD THE SLIDE OUT SWITCH DOWN UNTIL THE SLIDE “TIMES

OUT” OR 5 – 7 SECONDS AFTER FULL EXTENSION OR RETRACTION. ( For other

reference details go to www.LCI1.com)

Low Voltage: If you camp using only batteries or a generator, you must make sure you have

fully charged battery to extend or retract Schwintek sides. Taking a spare battery would be

best.

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Make sure your slide out roof is clean: Debris such as tree limbs, pine needles, dirt, sand

and leaves can be jammed in to the top seals and damage the seal or the bulb.

Cleaning and Conditioning: Clean all aluminum rails and rollers. Make sure they are clean

of debris. It is important to keep your seals and wipers conditioned! All seals are made

of rubber, they will harden and deteriorate over time if left un-treated. There are several

commercial products available for this purpose and can be acquired from Bent’s RV Parts

Department for purchase.

Lippert Components, Through Frame Slide-

Out System

What does a Through Frame

Slide -Out look like?

Through Frame Slide-Outs have two rails coming through the “I” Beam Frame. These are

also called “Flush Floor Slide Outs”.

Please refer to your Lippert owner’s manual for repair and override procedures. This

information can be located in your “owner’s package” that includes all your appliance

manuals and RV model information. Additional information about Lippert Slide Outs can be

found at www.Lci1.com.

Tips for a healthy Through Frame Slide Out

Make sure your slide out roof is clean: Debris such as tree limbs, pine needles, dirt, sand

and leaves can be jammed in to the top seals and damage the seal or the bulb.

Make sure your RV is level: It’s important to level your RV before you operate “flush floor

slide outs”. This will ensure proper slide out operation.

Clean and Lube: Make sure your slide out is clean of road debris, ice and salt. Wash your

RV with warm water and soap if necessary. It is important to keep your seals and wipers

conditioned! All seals are made of rubber, and will harden and deteriorate over time if left

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un-treated. There are several commercial products available for this purpose and can be

acquired from Bent’s RV.

3. Gel-coat & Fiberglass Care

Why:

Fiberglass is a common term for fiber reinforced plastic and is used on many RV’s for

sidewalls and caps. To give the fiberglass a smooth and shiny surface, a clear or

colored resin material is applied. Gel-Coat can become dull or faded as it weathers.

So how do you keep your fiberglass looking good?

How:

Cleaning: Periodic cleaning with an RV approved soap is necessary to remove normal

accumulations of road grime and campsite dirt. Make sure you use an RV approved

brush and soap. DO NOT POWER WASH YOUR RV. You will damage your seals

and graphics.

Waxing: After washing with RV approved soaps and detergents, a good polishing with

a Marine Grade wax will restore most of the original gloss. This will also prevent

black streaks on the side of the RV and make them easy to clean.

Compounding: Polishing compound (fine abrasive) or rubbing compound (coarser

abrasive) is recommended for use on fiberglass RVs to remove scratches, stains, or a

severely weathered surface.

When:

Wash your RV as needed. You should wax your RV 3 times a year. If you have

fiberglass front and rear caps, pay special attention to possible road wind and sun

damage. Some require additional maintenance.

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4. Tires and Axles

If your RV tires are under inflated by only 6 psi it could lead to tire failure! That’s no way to

start a vacation and it is DANGEROUS!

Additionally, under inflated tires can reduce tread life by as much as 25%. Under inflated

tires build up internal heat. This increases “rolling resistance” and will cause a reduction in

fuel economy of up to 5% per tire.

Pre-Trip Inspection: Before you leave for a trip or pack up to head home you need to check:

Tire pressure: Check the tire side wall or the tag on the RV for correct pressure.

YOU CAN’T TELL A TIRE’S PRESSURE BY LOOKING. PLEASE USE A TIRE GAUGE.

Tire Wear: Inspect tire sidewalls for damage. Make sure that tire wear is even and there is

plenty of tread. Uneven wear on tires may be a sign of bigger issues. Please contact Bent’s

RV Service Department or a Local Tire Store ASAP. The tire warranty is usually 5 years or

less from the date that the tire was manufactured.

Axles: Inspect axles for damage and over loading. If axles are damaged, please contact

Bent’s RV Service Department ASAP.

Tire Lugs: Tire lugs need to be Torqued to proper ft-lb. Please refer to your manufactures

owner’s manual for proper torque and tightening sequence.

Tire Damage: Tire Damage is expensive and most times can be avoided. Make it a habit to

check your tires each trip and each time you stop.

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5. Flooring

RV flooring is tough and made to take the kind of beating that camping can dish out. We

make our flooring options easy to clean and maintain.

It’s important to keep your floor clean of dirt and debris. RV’s have heavy traffic lanes and

dirt can dull the finish on RV flooring.

Slide outs:

Flush floor slide outs can be hard on vinyl flooring. The slide out box rides “on top” of vinyl

flooring. The potential to damage vinyl flooring increases with time and usage.

It’s very important to level the coach before you retract or extend your slide-out(s). An un-

level slide box can damage flooring.

What to watch for:

Ripples, bubbles or “loose” vinyl

Flooring pulling away from sidewalls

Gaps or tears

Flooring issues are easy to repair when caught early. Flooring repairs are expensive and

may not be covered under warranty.

“Slide out Slickers” can protect your flooring. They are available from Bent’s RV Part’s

Department.

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6. Shore power cable

Some Campers have Detachable Power Cable’s. Other Campers have a Power Cable that is

attached.

Failure to properly connect the power cord could result in an

electrical failure (converter damage) fire and electrocution.

The cord needs to fit tight to the RV. Loose connections will

damage the electrical system!

Step by Step Connection of Power Cord

1. Plug the power cord into the RV BEFORE plugging it

into the power panel.

2. Insert the cord into the RV and twist in a clockwise direction to secure the cord. Tug

on cord to insure it’s locked.

3. Tighten the coupler on the outside of the connector, making sure the ring is tight.

Make sure the cord is snug and there is no “play” or “movement” in the connection.

4. Turn off all RV appliances & systems before connecting to the power panel (powering

down main circuit(s) breaker is suggested)

5. Turn off the breaker at the power source. Plug in the power cord to the source. Turn

on breaker to supply power.

6. Turn on appliances & systems and enjoy your camping trip.

7. Maintaining a healthy battery

Lead-Acid Deep Cycle Battery:

Charging

Battery low on power? You might not need a replacement just yet. These recommended

charging procedures can help you keep your battery operating at full power.

Before charging your battery, refer to your owner’s manual and your battery charger

manual for instructions. Review the safety instructions that came with your charger and

battery. Remember that batteries contain sulfuric acid that can cause severe burns, and

hydrogen-oxygen gases that can be explosive.

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Observe the following guidelines when charging:

•Make sure the battery terminals are clean and free from corrosion.

•Do not attempt to charge a dried-out battery. If needed, add distilled (or drinking) water

to just above the battery plates. Do not overfill.

•Refer to any written instructions provided by the battery and charger manufacturers.

•Identify the positive and negative terminals of the battery and attach the correct charger

leads.

•If charging a battery connected to a vehicle, be sure that the vehicle’s electrical system

has protection against overvoltage or be sure that the charger will not have high-charging

voltages that may damage the vehicle’s electrical system.

Maintenance:

Storage Tips The most important consideration when storing any battery is to make sure the voltage

never drops below 12.4 volts. Following these simple tips on battery maintenance can

help extend the life of your battery.

If you are storing the battery for an extended period of time, one of the best ways to

prevent damage is to make sure the voltage never drops below 12.4 volts. We recommend

using a type of "battery maintainer" – a device that will monitor your battery and keep it

at full potential during storage.

If it is not possible to use a maintenance charger, disconnect the battery from the vehicle

during storage to prevent the vehicle from discharging the battery. Always provide a full

charge with a battery charger prior to storage, then check the battery voltage every three

to six months and charge if it falls below 12.4 volts. Also, when possible, store your

battery in a cool, dry location.

Other Maintenance Tips 1.Check your battery every now and then to make sure its terminal connections are clean,

snug and protected from the elements. Signs of corrosion or leakage could mean that your

battery is no longer operating as well as it should.

2.Always unplug or turn off all accessories and turn all lights & tv amplifier off when

your camper is turned stored.

3.Keep the battery in cooler places whenever possible. Heat damages batteries.

4.Scrub corrosion from the terminals with a solution of water and baking soda.

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8. Helpful Tips for your Fireplace

and Water Heater

Your camper may have a special switch that you need to be aware of. Because of power

consumption, the fireplace and “electrical supply” to your water heater, share the same

circuit. There is a switch on the control panel to supply power to one or the other. Your

water heater can use LP during the time you use the fireplace. Some will say that water

heaters that run on LP have a faster response time!

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9. Helpful tips for your Solid Surface

Counter Tops

Solid Surface counter tops are made to withstand the perils of everyday camping and keep

looking great.

Damage may occur if your counter top is mistreated. We have a few simple ways to make

sure your counter top maintains its original beauty.

DON’T PLACE PANS HOT OFF THE RANGE OR OVEN DIRECTLY ON

THE COUNTER TOP! EXCESSIVE HEAT CAN CAUSE COUNTERS TO

YELLOW.

Cleaning: Normal cleaning requires a damp cloth and mild detergent. Matte finished

counter tops can be cleaned with Ajax or Comet. We recommend cleaning the entire surface

to keep a uniformed look.

Stains: Spills and stains such as food dyes, tea, wine and fruit drinks can be removed with

FULL STRENGTH BLEACH. Do not let the bleach stand for more than 5 minutes and flush

with water after stain is removed.

Chips or burns: Can be smoothed with Scotch Brite pads or wet sand paper.

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10. Vehicle care and Maintenance program

We have covered quite a few potential issues up to this point. The next four pages are just as

important.

What: We have gathered all the maintenance information included in the manufacturer’s owner’s

manual and made an easy to follow program.

What’s included?

Exterior

Roof

Windows and Doors

LP Systems

Water and Drainage

Slide-out systems

Electrical systems

Appliances

Safety equipment

Axles and Tires

Manual/Electric Jacks

Why:

We want your RV to last a lifetime. We have made it way to see what needs attention and

how often.

We care about you and your family. We love the RV lifestyle. Take advantage of

our experience and follow the Maintenance Program to the letter. It will be

worth your time….Happy Trails!!!!

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RV Vitals

ITEM EACH

TRIP

30

DAYS

90

DAYS

6

MONTHS

EACH

YEAR

AS

REQUIRED

PROCEDURES

Exterior Seals and Caulking X X Inspect and reseal as necessary

LP gas system X X Check for leaks & road damage

LP gas system X Have qualified serviceman check

pressures & complete system

Water & drainage X Check hoses, fittings & connections

for leaks and signs of water

Water & drainage X Check drainage system for leaks &

road damage

Water & drainage X X Sanitize the system

Water & Drainage X Winterize the system depending on

the local seasonal conditions

Slideout system X X X Check all wiper seals for movement

& damage

Slideout system X Check all moving parts for operation:

rails, rams and actuators

Slideout System X X X Check switches for operation

Slideout system X X X Rain check the slideout every 6

months, with the slide in both the in

and out positions

Electrical System X X Check GFCI circuits & receptacles

Electrical System X Perform maintenance on generator as

outlined in generator manual

Electrical System X Check & service batteries

Electrical System X X Check monitor panels for proper

function

Electrical System X Check switches & all lights for

operation

Electrical System X Check power cord completely for

any damage

Electrical System X Check converter for blown fuses

Electrical System X Check all clearance & turn signal

lights for operation

Appliances X X X Check all electrical appliances for

operation: A/C, refrigerator, furnace,

etc.,

Appliances X Remove food and ice from

refrigerator after each trip

Appliances X Clean fan blades & wash filter on

range exhaust hood

Appliances X Check for obstructions & dirt on

exterior appliance vents

Safety Equipment X X X Check Egress (safety windows) for

operation

Safety Equipment X X Test smoke detector components

Safety Equipment X Check the fire extinguisher pressure

& condition

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ITEM EACH

TRIP

30

DAYS

90

DAYS

6

MONTHS

EACH

YEAR

AS

REQUIRED

PROCEDURE

Wood surfaces X Clean prefinished panels and wood

carpeting X Vacuum after each trip

carpeting X clean

Wheel bearings (towable) X X Pack wheel bearings yearly

Weight & distribution X Be sure the unit is within the

specified load limits & weight

distribution

Axles (towables) X Mounting bolts should be torqued to

145-155 foot pounds

Unit underbelly X X X Inspect the underbelly & drains for

any damage

Brakes (towable) X X Check operation and for uneven wear

Manual jacks X Lube jacks with light oil

Electrical jacks X Lube the threaded rod

With light oil

Warning and information

labels

X Check that they are still installed

Fiberglass exterior X Wash with warm water & mild

detergent

Fiberglass Exterior X Wax with liquid or paste wax

Metal Exterior X Wash with warm water & mild

detergent

Roof & roof components X X Inspect & reseal as needed

Roof & roof components X Lubricate roof vent mechanism

With light oil & clean completely

Windows & doors X Check vinyl seal when washing

The exterior

Windows & doors X Check seal for damage & repair as

needed

Windows & doors X Lubricate door hinges & step

components

Windows & doors X Adjust & lubricate window

latches

Windows & doors X Lube door locks & strike pocket,

including exterior storage & access

doors

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Dealer Service Log

DATE: DEALER: SERVICE PERFORMED