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Re: New Aliner owners seek maintenance advice

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Hi Gang:

Our new AC has a Dehumidify setting that is great at reducing human condensation!

When I'm working inside our camper the AC starts dripping condensation.

Carl.

On 4/8/2025 11:26 PM, Steve T via groups.io wrote:

?
When you're out camping in the rain, there will be condensation from people inside breathing, and its hard to distinguish condensation from a small leak.
?
Re: New Aliner owners seek maintenance advice

 

Some other important things to know/do for a new owner:
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If you have a propane fridge, never run it when not level.? That can ruin it, requiring replacement, and that's expensive
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If you connect a hose to your trailer, connect a water pressure regulator inline at the faucet.? Some campgrounds have very high water pressure for firefighting.? Connecting without a regulator can be quite spectacular.
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Rvs are not like cars where they have no issues.? They have teething problems.? So....
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Camp in your driveway for your first trip.
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Setup your trailer in your driveway, and let it get hit by rain.? Check it for leaks after 5 minutes, 15 minutes, and a half hour.? Fold it up and put it in the garage if it leaks.? Check in the 4 corners inside the trailer real close, because those are the most likely place for leaks.
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If you don't have any cooperating rain, set up a garden sprinkler.
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When you're out camping in the rain, there will be condensation from people inside breathing, and its hard to distinguish condensation from a small leak.
?
Re: New Aliner owners seek maintenance advice

 

Here's the list of maintenance? things I've presented at Chalet AFrame rallies.? Some things don't apply to aliners.? Its just a bullet item format, so ask questions if you don't understand the brief comments
?
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Tires
? ? Inflate before every trip to maximum psi rating on tire
? ? ? ? Some charts say its ok to inflate to a lesser number
? ? ? ? But max psi has least chance of blowout, so max psi highly recommended.
? ? Replace if tread worn
? ? Replace at 5 years old, or sooner (I replace at 4 years), even if tread not worn.
? ? You cannot wait for the tread to wear out.
? ? ? ? If you do, you'll probably have a blowout.
? ? ? ? 50% of the time a blowout tears a hole in the floor, and can cost 2K to repair
? ? Use quality tire brand for replacement, speed rating above 65 mph
? ? ? ? ?Carlisle radial trail HD, D load rating required on 13"
? ? ? ? ?Maxxis M8008, C load rating all you can get on 13"
? ? ? ? ?Goodyear Endurance 14" and above only.
Axle bearings
? ? ?Grease once a year if moderate mileage, say 5000 miles
Replace Chalet axle hangers at 7 years.
? ? ?The factory axle hangers are thin and wear fast
? ? ?Replacements are 2x as thick.
? ? Squeaky suspension is indication replacement needed
? ? Get Dexter heavy duty axle hanger kit
Fridge
? ? Clean flue every year, or else rust falls out and clogs burner
? ? ? ? Guaranteed to happen eventually if not cleaned
? ? Check gas jet, dip in solvent to clean if needed
? ? Install computer case fan
? ? ? ? Recommend 1500 rpm, 140mm
? ? Use white vinyl tape to hold on upper fridge vent if Chalet tin cover, just 4 corner screws,?
? ? ? ? Easier to remove than caulk
Water heater
? ? Don't let air out of relief valve
? ? Don't test relief valve, may not reseal due to calcium deposits.
? ? Drain and use blaster wand to remove calcium chunks, also use vinegar
? ? Check gas jet, dip in solvent to clean if needed
? ? Don't need scalding water, get adjustable thermo, or run for only about 12 minutes?
? ? ? ? Water heater runs for over 20 minutes before thermostat shutoff.
Furnace
? ? ?Clean vents of any obstructions
? ? ?Check gas jet, dip in solvent to clean if needed
Recaulking?
? ? ?Critical to recaulk?
? ? ? ? ?Edges of corner trim
? ? ? ? ?Bottom edge of wall trim
? ? ? ? ?Edges of roof edge trim (for some years roof not bedded in caulk)
? ? ? ? ?May leak and cause damage if caulk fails
? ? ? ? ?Do whole thing if starts to fail
? ? ?Not that critical
? ? ? ? ?Edges of skylights
? ? ? ? ?Edges of roof vents
? ? ? ? ?Spot fix if starts to fail
? ? ? ? ?There is a 1 inch wide bead of caulk under flange of skylight or vent
? ? ?SCS2000 is what I recommend as caulk for edges, but do not bed anything other than skylights with this
? ? ? ? ?It is a silicone, and lasts longer than polyurethanes
? ? ? ? ?It has a tensile strength of 341 psi, which is over 2X stronger than other silicones
? ? ? ? ?It is harder to remove than polyurethanes
? ? ? ? ?Use Digesil to remove silicone.? Costs $35 a jar.
? ? ? ? ?SCS2000 will stick to dried SCS2000, ok for spot repairs
? ? ? ? ? ? ?Most other silicones won't stick to dried silicone.
? ? ? ? ?Tape off and use 45 degree scraper to smooth SCS2000
? ? ? ? ? ? ? Smoothing with finger doesn't work - caulk is too soft.
? ? ? ? ? ? ? Do not touch caulk after tape removal.? Trim with razor blade to fix mistake.
? ? Can also use a polyurethane
? ? ? ? ?But must have UV resistance
? ? ? ? ?Will come off easier than silicone
Fresh water tank
? ? Sanitize not needed often if you don't winterize with antifreeze or fill with pond water
? ? Do sanitize after using rv antifreeze
Propane lines
? ? Disconnect propane line from bottom of regulator, lay line on ground
? ? Oil residue will drain out.
? ? Do this about every 3 years.
Battery
? ? Add distilled water every trip, after a week of camping takes about a dixie cup
? ? Don't let go below 12.0 volts for best battery life
Fantastic Fan
? ? Push and pull on "lock" knob
? ? If moves in and out, knob is loose
? ? ? ? May cause fan lid to open during travel.
? ? ? ? Tighten screw in middle of knob to fix
? ? ? ? Don't put bungees over lid.? Not needed.
Lithium upgrade
? ? DC to DC charger
? ? Converter upgrade
AOC website
? ? In depth tech details
? ? alinerownersclub.org/diy/
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?
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New Aliner owners seek maintenance advice

 

My husband and I just bought a 2024 Aliner Scout.? I am wondering what the experienced owners recommend as far as regular maintenance is concerned.? Thanks for any suggestions.??
Re: Skylight adhesive

 

My vents have a flexible pad seal around the perimeter.? I have never set them in caulk.? Just perimeter caulk.? As for the skylight, I fabricated a raised curb similar to what a house skylight has.? To change a bubble I only need to remove the outer frame.? Hopefully it will be a long time.? Materials are getting very costly.? And shipping is expensive.? I think the discounts obtained by Amazon from shippers has increased the cost for the general population.?


On Mon, Apr 7, 2025 at 11:43 PM, Steve T via groups.io
<srtimm@...> wrote:

[Edited Message Follows]

I buy scs2000 from a Sunshine Supply store not too far from my house.? But if you have to buy it online, yeah, that sucks, because you pay triple the price, no matter where you order it from.? And that seems to be true for any caulk.
?
For skylights, I'd say just pay the price and get the SCS2000.? I see so many posts from people that use caulk that doesn't stick, degrades in the sun, or is incompatible with polycarbonate and will cause it?to crack.
?
But I would not use it to bed a fitting other than a skylight.? To remove a skylight bedded in scs2000, you take a knife and stick it between the skylight and roof, and cut the caulk.? Do so from the inside, after removing the trim ring, where your fist holding the knife has room due to the bubble.?
?
But a fitting like a vent would not allow you an easy way to cut the scs2000, and no way you could pull it off.? So removal would be difficult.? I'd use sikaflex 252 or scs1000, which both have weaker bonds, for something like vents.
?
I've already used scs2000 around the perimiters of fittings.? It wouldn't be a problem to remove and I like how well it sticks.? It probably handles road vibration and stress well too since it has a low durometer.

--
Don DeRyke
Sunrise, Florida

2009 Classic, 2020 Ford Escape, 2.0 liter EcoBoost, AWD.?
Previous TV 2015 Ford Escape 1.6 liter EcoBoost engine.
Re: Skylight adhesive

 
Edited

I buy scs2000 from a Sunshine Supply store not too far from my house.? But if you have to buy it online, yeah, that sucks, because you pay triple the price, no matter where you order it from.? And that seems to be true for any caulk.
?
For skylights, I'd say just pay the price and get the SCS2000.? I see so many posts from people that use caulk that doesn't stick, degrades in the sun, or is incompatible with polycarbonate and will cause it?to crack.
?
But I would not use it to bed a fitting other than a skylight.? To remove a skylight bedded in scs2000, you take a knife and stick it between the skylight and roof, and cut the caulk.? Do so from the inside, after removing the trim ring, where your fist holding the knife has room due to the bubble.?
?
But a fitting like a vent would not allow you an easy way to cut the scs2000, and no way you could pull it off.? So removal would be difficult.? I'd use sikaflex 252 or scs1000, which both have weaker bonds, for something like vents.
?
I've already used scs2000 around the perimiters of fittings.? It wouldn't be a problem to remove and I like how well it sticks.? It probably handles road vibration and stress well too since it has a low durometer.
Re: Skylight adhesive

 

Well, I for one have never heard of it.? But it appears to have fine characteristics.? How about a ailability.? I find that a lot of my needs are immediate and can't wait for placing an order.? So I usually get what I need at home depot.? Caulking has a shelf life as well, and I have had to toss some pretty pricey tubes simply because it expired.? I don't take a chance anymore since I had a tube of black silicone that never cured.? PITA.?


On Tue, Apr 1, 2025 at 11:37 PM, Steve T via groups.io
<srtimm@...> wrote:
I finally found a sealant that I like for gluing on skylights:?
Silpruf SCS2000.?
?
Here's the list of reasons I like it, and it's a long one:
?
It has a relatively high tensile strength of 341 psi
It sticks really well to polycarbonate
It doesn't require mechanical fasteners
it doesn't require a primer
It lasts longer than polyurethane
It doesn't get as dirty looking as polyurethane
It can be cleaned better than polyurethane
It's compatible with polycarbonate, so it won't make polycarbonate crack or crumble
It has a long working time
It tools really well, so it looks really nice when you're done
It has excellent UV resistance, and doesn't need to be covered to protect it from sunlight
It will stick to dried SCS2000 to allow spot repairs, or fixing voids or mistakes on initial lay down.
It can be dissolved with Digesil when it needs to be removed
It can be scraped off relatively easily since it's a soft rubber
The skylight can be removed without too much hassle when it eventually needs to be replaced
?
But for any sealant, test it with your polycarbonate, because bond strength differs with different grades of polycarbonate.? I tested with an eztopsworldwide skylight.
?
The only remaining question I have is why is nobody else using it? My tests show it's far superior to anything else I've seen.

--
Don DeRyke
Sunrise, Florida

2009 Classic, 2020 Ford Escape, 2.0 liter EcoBoost, AWD.?
Previous TV 2015 Ford Escape 1.6 liter EcoBoost engine.
Skylight adhesive

 

I finally found a sealant that I like for gluing on skylights:?
Silpruf SCS2000.?
?
Here's the list of reasons I like it, and it's a long one:
?
It has a relatively high tensile strength of 341 psi
It sticks really well to polycarbonate
It doesn't require mechanical fasteners
it doesn't require a primer
It lasts longer than polyurethane
It doesn't get as dirty looking as polyurethane
It can be cleaned better than polyurethane
It's compatible with polycarbonate, so it won't make polycarbonate crack or crumble
It has a long working time
It tools really well, so it looks really nice when you're done
It has excellent UV resistance, and doesn't need to be covered to protect it from sunlight
It will stick to dried SCS2000 to allow spot repairs, or fixing voids or mistakes on initial lay down.
It can be dissolved with Digesil when it needs to be removed
It can be scraped off relatively easily since it's a soft rubber
The skylight can be removed without too much hassle when it eventually needs to be replaced
?
But for any sealant, test it with your polycarbonate, because bond strength differs with different grades of polycarbonate.? I tested with an eztopsworldwide skylight.
?
The only remaining question I have is why is nobody else using it? My tests show it's far superior to anything else I've seen.
Re: File /2021 Aliner Owner's Manual.pdf uploaded #file-notice

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Eric, thank you so much.? It came out beautifully.? ? A special thanks because some of are not computer savvy.? Thank you, my friend.? ? ?
Re: File /2021 Aliner Owner's Manual.pdf uploaded #file-notice

 

Thank you so much!? It downloaded just fine.
Betsy
Re: File /2021 Aliner Owner's Manual.pdf uploaded #file-notice

 

I couldn't find the file in the Files folder, so I uploaded a copy I have:
?
That link should open the file directly, but I also see it in the alphabetical list.
?
Sorry, still has the stick figures, but at least one of them is smiling :)
?
Eric B
Re: File /2021 Aliner Owner's Manual.pdf uploaded #file-notice

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

When I tried to download the PDF of the ALiner manual, I was unable?to do so without paying for a subscription to a download service.? ?Is there another (cost free) way to do this?? Thanks, Jerry M
Re: File /2021 Aliner Owner's Manual.pdf uploaded #file-notice

 

Thanks so much for this, but I think this is a much older version (2013?, 2016?).? The other post noted a 2021 manual in digital format, but I can't find it in the files.? Does anyone know anything about a newer version (2021?)
Thanks again,
Betsy
Re: File /2021 Aliner Owner's Manual.pdf uploaded #file-notice

 

Brian,
I have a 2022 Classic and had not heard that the gas struts as installed by Aliner caused excessive stresses on the frame. Is it worthwhile for me to consider changing the cylinders over to the newer orientation and are there exact plans to make that happen? We love our Aliner and plan to keep it long term.
Re: File /2021 Aliner Owner's Manual.pdf uploaded #file-notice

 

Greetings?


Here is a link to the manual, hope this helped

Happy camping?
Dan S ??


On Thu, Mar 27, 2025 at 7:12 PM, betsyearle24 via groups.io
<betsyearle24@...> wrote:
Hi,
I'm new to the forum and was trying to get a copy of the 2021 Owner's manual, but I've had no luck.? I just keep getting sent to another page - maybe because it's an old post?? I have a new 2025 Aliner classic, but even the 2021 manual would be better than nothing.? I'm a newbie to all of this.? Do you still have the .pdf?? If so, I'd really appreciate it if you could send it on to me.
Thanks so much,
Betsy
Betsy Earle
betsyearle24@...
Re: File /2021 Aliner Owner's Manual.pdf uploaded #file-notice

 

Hi,
I'm new to the forum and was trying to get a copy of the 2021 Owner's manual, but I've had no luck.? I just keep getting sent to another page - maybe because it's an old post?? I have a new 2025 Aliner classic, but even the 2021 manual would be better than nothing.? I'm a newbie to all of this.? Do you still have the .pdf?? If so, I'd really appreciate it if you could send it on to me.
Thanks so much,
Betsy
Betsy Earle
betsyearle24@...
Re: Dormer seal

 

I finally have a solution that takes care of 95% of the issue. I formed a small dam on the door side of the drain. There is one layer of 3M heavy duty double sided tape - the kind used to attach emblems, such as M3, CX-9, etc to cars. Then some non- porous door/window seals and finally some caulking to fill the gasket holes and the small gap under the center of the gasket on each side. This diverts the vast majority of the water to the kitchen side of the camper. Tiny amounts still drip off the door side. Probably not enough to be annoying. If it does become noticeable, a small C-channel will take care of the residual, but for now it's fine.?

Thanks for all your advice!
Re: Dormer seal

 

Steve,
Nick's fix may work for his unit, but in my case it would have to be at least a 4" channel to catch the overflow. Beyond that, it can't be mounted high enough as then it would interfere with the lift assist bars.?

Dan
Re: Dormer seal

 

I think Nick's idea works well.? The "U" channel ( more commonly called "C" channel) is essentially a rain gutter.? But go bigger, say 2"x2", and it will handle a raging downpour.? I'd stick it on to the metal roof edge above the door with permanent 2 sided mounting tape.? I just finished redoing the corner flaps on my trailer and I used gorilla mounting tape, and it worked well.
Re: Dormer seal

 

Scott,?
?
Glad that worked for you. Won't work here as the 3" of the seal that sticks out works like a gargoyle on a cathedral and runs the water about 6" away from the side wall. That's a good thing to keep water from leaking into the camper. However, in this case it is right over the door opening and runs onto the fold out steps. This means getting soaked going in and out of the Aliner. In addition, on cold mornings the water that begins to melt on the roof freezes when it hits the steps, making those steps treacherous.?

So, still looking for the best solution.?

Dan
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