RV sales have increased since 2019, and, as a result, a lot more people are finding themselves on the road and out in nature. What a lot of people don’t take into consideration, however, is how proper maintenance can have a lasting impact on their RV.
Understanding the basics of RV care is an important thing to consider before you make your investment, as costs can add up quickly if you don’t plan ahead. Budgeting enough to ensure you can afford the upkeep is an essential part of maintaining your RV, and it’s one that can help it live a long life.
Read on to learn more about RV care and it can help the longevity of your motor home.
Why RV Care Matters
It might seem obvious, but RV care is essential for maintaining your RV for any length of time. If you don’t regularly check tires, sensors, lights, and other parts of your RV, then things can go wrong fairly quickly.
Proper maintenance is going to keep it up and running for years to come.
What Does Regular Maintenance Look Like?
You know that RV care matters, but what’s involved in the process? It’s all going to depend on where you live, where you travel, and how you store your RV, but there are a few things that every RV owner should do.
Here’s a checklist you can reference.
1. Check the Seals
Your seals and slide-outs play a huge role in the life of your RV, but they’re also the most susceptible to debris build-up and water damage. It’s important for them to get cleaned out regularly to avoid bug infestations and clogging.
If debris piles up too high, then you run the risk of damaging not only your seals but also the entire slide-out. That means that debris can make its way into your RV, and it can also lead to unwanted leaks and damage.
For seals, they need to be routinely realigned and replaced to ensure rain and other weather don’t get into your RV.
It’s also a good idea to lubricate the trim around your windows to help prevent cracking. To see if this is necessary, you can simply slide the window open and closed again. If it’s easy, then you don’t need to add lubricant.
2. Keep Up With Your Safety Devices
Things like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are important in an RV, and you want to be sure that your devices are up-to-date at any given time. Each of these devices is going to have a test button on it. All you have to do is hold down that button and wait for an alarm to sound or beeping to start.
You should also check on and replace fire extinguishers in your RV. There should be at least two inside: one near the front and one near the back, and they should be replaced regularly.
3. Do You Need to Replace Any Tires?
If you live in a place with drastic temperature changes, be sure to look for the same changes in your tire pressure. It’s important to ensure your tires are inflated to the manufacturer’s specifications, though. An overinflated tire can explode, and an underinflated one can cause a host of problems for your RV and its steering.
You should also check the tire tread to ensure it’s deep enough. If your RV was in storage and the tires weren’t covered, be sure to look for any cracks that might’ve appeared.
Remember, though, finding tears or holes in your tires might only mean a repair. On the flip side, if you think nothing is wrong with your tires but they’re older, then they might still need to be replaced. A lot of car shops will examine your tires and other points for free if you schedule an appointment.
If you’re unsure, then it’s best to check with professionals.
4. Check Battery and Fluid Levels
Whether your RV is in storage or not, you should take the time to check the battery every few weeks when it’s not in use. This is especially important in a class A or C motor vehicle, as it can help prevent corrosion and battery problems.
For checking fluid levels, you’re going to follow the same procedures you would for your car. If you have access to your owner’s manual, now is a great time to pull it out and take a look if you’re confused.
Specifically, you’re going to need to look at your brake fluid, transmission and power steering fluid, and also your oil. It’s also important to remember that, as part of an RV, you’re also going to need to check your battery and generator.
For the battery, be sure to check its water level before each trip. For the generator, be sure to clean around and run it for a few minutes at a time. You should also inspect the lines and connections around it.
5. Keep Up With Your Roof
Maintaining an RV roof is one of the most important things you can do. Like slide-outs and seals, problems here can lead to water damage and other major problems.
Most importantly, you want to check around skylights, vents, and the AC unit for cracking or signs of leakage. You should also be aware of your warranty and what it covers here.
Maintain Your RV’s Longevity Today
Now that we’ve gone over the basics of RV care, it’s time for you to get started. Whether you’re looking to invest in an RV or you’ve already made the jump and you’re learning about your purchase, creating a maintenance routine for your motor home is going to help it last a lot longer for many years to come.
A great way to start is by investing in covered storage for your RV when it’s not in use, and that’s exactly what we’re here for. Check out our offerings today to get started.