General Vandoit Maintenance Checklist
Article Objective:
In this article, we provide a comprehensive checklist of the items that should be monitored and serviced in order to keep your Vandoit in top condition.
Please note that your van may or may not contain all of the components listed here.
Before Each Trip:
Water System:
Before each trip, turn on your water pump and test water flow and pressure by spraying the shower hose and/or turning on the kitchen pod faucet. If the water sputters or does not work, follow the troubleshooting steps in this article for a DO model and in this article for a LIV model. If you need to winterize the water system, follow the steps in this article.
Shore Power Plug and Cord:
Before each trip, open the cap on the shore power plug to inspect the prongs. Make sure they are not bent or broken and are free from debris. Test your shore power cord by plugging it into a different device and checking to make sure that device receives power. While the shore power cord is plugged in, check your inverter screen to make sure the van is receiving a charge from shore power.
MaxxAir Fan:
Press the on button located on the keypad and verify the fan opens and spins freely with no binding or squeaking. Check the level of charge on the handheld remote by viewing the battery indicator at the top of the screen. Periodically check the condition of the air vent seal around the air vent on the roof of the van for leaks or damage. If you believe there may be an issue, submit a ticket to Vandoit's Customer Support team with pictures attached.
Dometic Air Conditioner:
Turn on the air conditioner and verify that the system kicks over from the fan to cooling setting and feels cold. Let it run for 20 minutes or so and then check that there are no leaks around the inside flange. It's normal to see some condensation running off the van roof onto the ground around it. There is an external drain hose that feeds to the roof and depending on how you're parked, should run down the steepest part of your roof. If equipped with the DC powered version, check that batteries in the remote are still working.
Espar Heater:
First, verify you have more than a 1/4 tank of fuel in your van, there is nothing within 1 foot of the air vent on the Espar box, and check that the exhaust is pipe sticking out the driver's side of the van and is not pinched or blocked. After that, set the temperature on the thermostat to above the ambient temperature outside and then press the on button. Wait a few minutes for the Espar to kick on and get warm. Eventually the Espar should change to a lower fan speed or kick off once the requested temperature is achieved.
Inverter/Outlets (AC Power):
Turn on your inverter and test each outlet in your van with a device like a phone charger. If there are any outlets that are not powered, check the AC breakers to make sure there isn't one that's tripped.
Gear Slide Tray:
Test your gear slide by pulling the red release knob and then pulling it out. Verify that the gear slide moves smoothly and clicks into each catch point along the rail system. With the red knob still pulled, verify that the end point stoppers prevent the gear slide from going too far in or out of the van.
LIV Bed Lift System:
Test the system by turning the handle clockwise to raise the bed. The bed should raise evenly and not bind at any point. Spin the handle counter-clockwise to verify the bed lowers as well. Sometimes you may need to add a little bit of pressure or weight on top so it lowers.
DO Bed System:
Make sure the black turn knobs are tight on the bed brackets attached to the skeleton. The brackets mounted on the beds themselves should be tight as well. Make sure you have enough eyelets on the beds and they are tightened. Wiggle the cargo buckles attached to the ceiling to verify they are not loose.
Factory Ford Seats:
If you're moving seats in and out of the van for your trip, make sure you have the pull tabs on the bottom before snapping the seats down in place. Once fully seated, test each seatbelt to make sure it comes out freely and snaps back when you let go.
Note: When camping/traveling, always make sure to unplug the shore power cord before driving away. Driving the van while the shore power cord is still plugged in may result in damage to the plug, cord, or other parts.
Every Month:
Dometic Air Conditioner:
Once a month, remove your return air filter located behind the return air vent grille to make sure that it is clean of debris and anything that might block air flow. If it is dirty, wash it with soap and water (and let it dry completely before reinstalling) or replace it. As needed, clean the ADB (Air Distribution Box) housing and the control panel with a soft cloth dampened with a mild detergent.
Espar Heater:
Run the Espar monthly for about 20 minutes, even in warm weather. See this article for additional recommended maintenance on the Espar heater.
LIV Bed Lift System:
Wipe the actuator shafts clean of any dust or debris that has built up so they raise and lower with ease.
Every 3 Months:
Espar Heater:
Inspect the Espar exhaust pipe (under the driver's side of the van) to make sure it is perpendicular to the length of the van and undamaged.
MaxxAir Fan and/or Dometic Air Conditioner Seal:
Check the seals around these components every 3 months by viewing them from the roof of your van using a safe ladder or scaffolding. Check for cracks or gaps in the seal. If your fan and/or air conditioner is sealed with Flexseal, clean the existing sealant with rubbing alcohol and apply a new layer of Flexseal every 3 months if gaps or cracks are visible. If your fan and/or air conditioner is sealed with Dicor Lap Seal, apply a new bead of Lap Seal if gaps or cracks are visible and/or if moisture is leaking into the van.
Solar Panels:
Use a safe ladder or scaffolding to inspect the rooftop solar panels. Make sure they are clear of debris (i.e. leaves, snow, dust, etc.) to ensure maximum solar input. You can wipe them off with a window cleaner spray from an auto parts store if washing your entire van is not possible. Inspect the panels for any cracks or breaks. Broken/cracked panels will likely become problematic, as the solar cells are no longer protected from moisture. This will shorten the life of the panel and probably decrease its energy output.
Every 6 Months:
Battery Terminals:
In a Vandoit van with an AGM system, visually inspect the terminals on the batteries in the power box to ensure they are securely attached. In a Vandoit van with a Mastervolt lithium system, inspect the ethernet cables on the top of the battery/ies to ensure that they are fully seated.
Bolts in Vandoit Frame:
The bolts at the joints of your Vandoit aluminum t-track frame are M5 and M6 bolts; they may loosen over time due to movement and vibration. To tighten them, use either a low profile ratchet wrench or a stubby L-style Allen wrench. Common sizes are 4mm, 5mm and 6mm for the bolt heads.
Once a Year:
Dometic Air Conditioner:
Once a year, check for the following:
- Inspect the unit from the roof of the van for debris or damage
- Wash inner coils, including the condenser and evaporator
- Clean drains
- Replace gaskets and filters
- Perform amp-draw tests
Espar heater:
Use this article as a guide to annual Espar maintenance.
As Needed:
Battery health:
If the battery/ies in your Vandoit power system are not holding a charge/losing charge quickly, remove the battery/ies from the rear power box in your van and take them to a local Batteries Plus or auto parts store to test the health of the batteries. If recommended, replace the battery.
Outlets:
Test your outlets by turning on the inverter and plugging an item like a phone charger into each outlet.
Awning:
Make sure the awning crank handle for the Thule awning is in the van. Loosen the collar on it to lengthen the handle and then retighten it down. Now make sure the crank fits up in the awning keyway and then try moving the awning out and back in again, ensuring that both movements are smooth. Once completed, remove the crank from the awning and put it back in the van.
For Ford vehicle maintenance, speak with your local Ford dealership or use this link to find a Ford maintenance schedule tailored to your specific vehicle: https://www.ford.com/support/maintenance-schedule/
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