On This Page
- 7 Important RV Maintenance Tips To Avoid Costly Repairs
- RV Maintenance Tips #1: Cover your roof
- RV Maintenance Tips #2: Run your generator
- RV Maintenance Tips #6: Keep your tires in good condition
- RV Maintenance Tips #7: Document your RV maintenance
- RV Annual Owner Maintenance Checklist
- Monthly RV Maintenance Tips
- Seasonal RV Maintenance Tips
- Yearly RV Maintenance Tips
- RV Maintenance Near Me
7 Important RV Maintenance Tips To Avoid Costly Repairs
RV Maintenance and Care: Your RV life may be the adventure you’ve always wanted, but no one wants unforeseen expenses to ruin their holiday. Fortunately, you can remain happy and comfortable on the road by keeping your RV in good condition. With routine, simple RV maintenance, you can stay ahead of any minor problems that can occur. Make a checklist of these top RV care tips and keep it in an easily accessible place to ensure that your RV remains in the best shape possible and prevents expensive repairs!
RV Maintenance Tips #1: Cover your roof
RV roofs get a lot of attention when it comes to RV maintenance tips because they are particularly vulnerable to sun and environmental harm, which can cause issues that go unnoticed. After all, we don’t get up there regularly. Out of sight, out of thought. However, the theory can come at a high cost. Replacing and repairing an RV roof will easily cost thousands of dollars.
Maintenance isn’t a big deal in the first year. You can require oil changes and tire rotations, but your warranty should cover any unexpected repairs. (However, do read your contract!) After the first year, you can still set aside money for regular tasks and unforeseen problems.
Costs can easily vary from a few hundred dollars to several hundred thousand dollars per year; experts suggest that you budget between $50 and $100 per month. Repair and component replacement costs may not be prohibitively expensive in the first few years. Still, they will skyrocket when the vehicle is in its fifth to seventh year of operation.
Not all RV maintenance tips require you to spend money. If your RV sits unused during the summer, the temperature inside will reach 130 degrees, depending on where you live. That kind of heat causes even the most complex materials to degrade and fail over time. Wallcoverings, seals, seams, and flooring, among other things, can eventually deteriorate, causing repair headaches earlier than necessary. Keeping the RV vents open encourages ventilation and holds the temperature down. However, make sure your exterior vents are sealed to prevent rainwater from entering your home.
RV Maintenance Tips #2: Run your generator
Many class a, class c, class b, and fifth-wheel RVs have onboard generators. However, we will discuss generators in general since many RVers who use trailers will carry a portable off-board generator.
If you cannot connect to a power source or when the power goes out at a campground, your generator can provide you with electricity. You can do a few simple maintenance tasks to keep your generator happy and going when you need it the most.
It’s critical to perform general or preventative maintenance on your generator, just as you would on any other engine if you want it to function correctly when you need it. I suggest running your unit 1-2 times per month, even if you are not camping where you need it. If you are a part-time RVer or a seasonal camper, you can also do this while your RV is in storage
Maintain your RV
Doing so with the right equipment and RV accessories could mean the difference between being on the road for your next adventure and worrying about it from your current place. Accessories such as oil change filters and properly serviced generators will help ensure your RV is ready when you are. To keep your wastewater system in good working order, follow easy tips like using biodegradable toilet paper.
The majority of your generator problems will be directly related to how you maintained the unit, so it’s essential to follow up with a maintenance plan that allows you to run your generator occasionally and change parts or fuel when required.
For example, old fuel in a generator can be an issue. It can contain sediment that clogs fuel lines and fuel filters. Proper airflow through the engine is equally critical. Your generator engine would not start without it, just as it would if your sparkplug or electronic ignition were not working correctly.
RV Maintenance Tips #7: Document your RV maintenance
If you have a small camper or a large class motorhome, maintain my RV will keep track of it all and two additional vehicles, such as a tow car, motorcycle, or four-wheeler.
Before doing something to your class C motorhome, it is essential to consult the thor motor coach owners’ resources for care and maintenance system guides and owners’ manuals paper service. These publications include information on supply resources, tips, and how-tos for caring for your class A diesel RV’s exterior paint and equipment.
RV Annual Owner Maintenance Checklist
A travel trailer body must be cleaned and maintained regularly, or it will begin to leak, especially the roof. Aside from exterior cleaning and washing, ensure that all interior appliances and equipment are in good working order.
Following a proper schedule for RV maintenance of any kind is needed, and it should not be limited to an annual activity. Let’s go over the significant points that should be on your travel trailer maintenance checklist.
Many RV dealerships also provide maintenance services. They frequently sell annual packages to carry in your RV and leave to the professionals to inspect and support. That is a very viable choice for RV owners. If you don’t want to deal with stuff like caulking the roof, lubricating your wheel bearings, or flushing your hot water system, you should leave it to the professionals.
Since an RV is such a significant investment, routine maintenance becomes much more critical. But, while we realize that regular maintenance will save us from costly breakdowns and emergency repairs down the road, many of us are unfamiliar with our RV’s systems and what we need to maintain.
Monthly RV Maintenance Tips
As you can see, there isn’t much to maintain your RV’s air conditioning unit. Simply knowing how it works and why it does not power up will save you a lot of time and money.
Taking things a step further and doing your routine maintenance, such as keeping the components clean, will help you even more. Cleaning the filter and coils every couple of months – or even weekly if you use them often or in a dusty environment – will help you prevent repairs and prolong the life of your machine.
Costs can differ considerably from RVer to RVer. For example, whether you fund a new RV or pay cash for an older one would significantly affect your monthly expenses. Similarly, an RV that is ten years or older may necessitate higher monthly maintenance costs. You can also find free parking around the country or choose to stay at RV resorts.
It is vital to maintain your RV investment regularly to keep it in complete maintenance. To avoid unforeseen technical problems, it is best to perform a thorough inspection before journeys and before and after long-term storage. With a bit of forethought, you can look forward to a long future of RV camping fun.
Yearly RV Maintenance Tips
Preventative maintenance can mean the difference between yearly routine service and expensive long-term repairs. Resealing roof seams, windows, and weather flashing can keep the interior looking new, and maintaining the RV appliances and plumbing can save you money in the long run.
It is recommended that you take your RV for the following maintenance procedures every 12 months: roof ac service, RV appliance service, RV battery service, premium RV, and generator service. Every year, you should test all RV roof and body sealants for signs of degradation. In addition to the annual recommendations, we recommend that you have your slides and jacks serviced every 3-4 months.
RV Maintenance Water Tank
Recreational vehicles necessitate all of the regular maintenance that your car, truck, or SUV necessitates, plus a lot more (if you had your RV for more than a few months, then you probably learned this the hard way). After all, an RV is more than just a car. It can be an office, a kitchen, a hostel, a safe space, a readers’ nook, or a holiday cottage, and for many, it is their home.
Check all the seams, sealants, and windows before cleaning. It would be a shame if the interior of your super c motorhome got damp or damaged as a result of any exterior cleaning items. If you notice that your sealant is splitting or fracturing, reseal certain areas first. Being diligent about maintenance checks and cleaning regularly is the best way to keep your class b+ RV in top condition.
With the average cost of a new RV approaching the six-figure mark, they often cost more than many houses. Preventative care and maintenance can keep expensive repairs to a minimum. We’ve compiled a list of our top RV maintenance tips and reminders to help you protect the significant investment you’ve made in your RV.
Before refilling your water tank:
- Drain and clean it thoroughly.
- Add a water tank sanitizer to remove any bacteria and algae that might be present in your system.
- When using a sanitizer, try to flush any leftover sanitizer out of your tank before filling it with water.
Don’t forget about your aboard freshwater, greywater, and blackwater tanks! Maintain your freshwater filter system and clean your black water tank as needed. If your RV hasn’t been used in a while, wash out the fresh water tank with bleach and clean water.
The cleaner and more detailed you are at the end of the season, the easier the job and maintenance will be the following year. The steps you should take are unique to your unit, so check your owner’s manual before winterizing your trailer. In most units, it is critical to prevent the unit’s water supply from freezing by draining and flushing all pipes and filling the system with non-toxic antifreeze.
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