De wintering the Palace

[Rich Thomas]

Well third times a charm so far I have had two attempts at a long weekender and had to cancel ( both times for nasty weather) I brought the Palace down from her nesting spot my boys call the garage ma-hall and done the usual look around followed up with d-winterizing the old girl. I filled and flushed the water tank  three times and then filled about half full of water and about a pint or so of chlorine bleach. I then took her for a spin around the county. figured I may as well do a mechanical shakedown and kill two birds with one stone as they say. I was very surprised to find all systems in good order and now I'm letting the bleach water sit over night in the lines before I deem her ready to roll. Last year :my first full year and the first year doing the d-wintering I ran in to several problems on my first trip out. I had a water line come off the potable tank and flood the dining area and also found a leak in one of my waterlines in the bathroom sink. it was an ill fitting connection. the one that flooded the dining area was my fault as I changed out the drain line and neglected to put a clamp on it. Lessens learned I guess. I've been over my camper quite a bit doing this or that and trying to repair things I see creeping up. The Palace ( named so because she carries a coat of arms in the galley) is by all accounts is a member of the family now. I mean who names there camper, well except for every one here. L.O.L. I guess we all love these old hulks of aluminum steel and rubber and we want them to be around for a while. enough rambling though. tomorrow she gets new engine oil and filter, cooling system check and I'll probably plug in and start the frig cooling down for our week end adventure. I also added a bottle of fuel treatment to the fuel tank as it has set all winter except for the two or three short runs across town and a few more run in place start ups through the winter. She ran really well though but still, just a little insurance policy.  I do have an oil leak to repair on one of the valve cover gaskets but I'm wanting to do some engine bay clean up this summer and I will get that done at that time. She will get a set of long tube headers and true duels at that time as well. I think I'll end it here with one other thought; My tires are in good shape but I'll still  be doing a very close inspection and make sure all six are aired up properly and lug nuts are tight. Thanks for reading and happy RVing

[Russell E Johnson]

Sounds like you have the situation well in hand and have a good plan mapped out for getting the Palace road ready. Enjoy your time out and about and be safe.

[Rich Thomas]

Thanks Russ, the Palace is ready to roll.  We are heading north, back home for the big P. (Delaware, OH. at the Alum Creek State Park.) It's a large man made reservoir for the Delaware area and I would assume flood control as well. They have several big lakes in a 30,40, mile radius built for water shed and supply. Two of my boys live in that kind of a circle of lakes / State Parks. My youngest is going with me, we are trying to spend as much time together as we can. He has two big events in his life that will consume much of his time in the near future. He was just awarded a promotion at work making him split his time between Ohio State University and Transportation Research Center in East Liberty OH.. Delaware sits kind of in the middle and he is looking at a house there in the morning. The other is, he is engaged and will be getting married next August. So It's been a hectic time for him and will be even more so sooner than later. it's important to me to go when he ask if we can spend some time together. Plus he has a friend who is starting a homemade ice cream business and has some dark chocolate almond ice cream for me to sample. L.O.L. Hey Russ have a good day okay!