How to Maintain Your RV

An RV provides a comfortable and efficient means of transportation during long trips. More often than not, you will find yourself relying on it to fulfill many of your necessities, such as showering, cooking, sleeping, etc. Because of this, it is imperative to keep it in tip-top shape to maximize its lifespan and your quality of life while using it. Here is how to maintain your RV and get ready for travel season!

Is it Hard to Maintain an RV?

As an RV owner, you will be relieved to hear that despite sounding daunting at first, maintaining an RV is easier than you may expect. With that being said, it has the potential to turn into a hassle if you let its condition get away from you. Wear and tear are normal. Failure to stay on top of things and address problems as soon as they arise can lead to many challenges down the road. If you find yourself faced with a problem that is too difficult to address, then you may want to consider receiving outside assistance.

How often do RVs need maintenance?

How often RVs require maintenance is a question that does not have a clearly defined answer. Everyone uses their RVs in different ways and with varying levels of consistency. A general rule of thumb is to immediately address malfunctions and clean them before and after every usage. Beyond that, you want to ensure that you inspect your RV annually for issues that could be hiding beneath the surface. For example, a leaky roof might not always be apparent, but keeping an eye out for it will prevent it from ever ruining a trip.

How to Keep Your RV in Great Shape and Road Ready

Here is a quick guide to help you get your RV or travel trailer in good condition for your next road trip!

 Check Your Tire Pressure

You should check your RV’s tire pressure often. A bad wheel is not just an inconvenience but a danger to you and your passengers as well. Make sure that your wheel’s air is at an acceptable level before driving on it.

Change filters

In the case of your fuel filter, you should change it every 15,000 miles or at least once a year. Change your engine filter regularly as well.

Tighten your RV’s lug nuts.

Just like with tire pressure, you want to ensure your wheel’s lug nuts will not cause any issues. Because an RV’s wheels are under more weight and pressure than a standard vehicle, there is a higher chance of things loosening up where they should not.

Look for battery discharge.

During long periods of storage, batteries can begin to drip fluid. If you aren’t sure whether or not your RV battery fluid levels are low or safe to use, call a professional to recharge or replace it.

Check Your Water

Making sure that your water system is going to run is a must before embarking on any long-lasting trip. However, some people prefer to camp without being able to shower and use a bathroom, but that does not hold true for everyone. Keeping that option available to you will keep you comfortable and healthy.

Check Your Electricals

An RV’s appliances are only as good as its electrical output. Having a way to connect to a camp’s generator is a must for anyone looking to cook or charge devices. On top of that, investing in a surge protector is not a bad idea should something go wrong at your campsite.

Examine the heater and appliances.

Take care to check your heater and kitchen appliances for signs of debris or rust.

Inspect the tanks.

Your holding tanks must be cleaned and sanitized regularly, while your propane tanks must be checked for leaks. Neglecting to examine your tanks can result in not only expensive problems but also dangerous problems.

Tighten all Connections

If your RV is the type that needs to be directly hitched up to another vehicle, then you should always double-check the connections before driving. Should something go wrong on the highway, you risk putting other drivers in danger. You can never be too safe when it comes to traveling.

Give everything a good cleaning.

After sitting in storage for so many months, your RV could use a little TLC. Clean and sanitize the inside, give the awning and tires a good scrub, and air everything out.

Maintain Your Awning

An RV’s awning is a great source of comfort for many travelers. Because of this, you want to ensure there are not any tears or issues with it before traveling. Examine your slide-out to ensure it’s sliding, sealing, and doesn’t need any lubrication. Likewise, an RV awning protects from rain, wind, and sun, but only if it isn’t torn. A quick inspection before the trip can save you from any unpleasant water damage later.

Contact a professional if you are experiencing any problems with its performance ahead of time. Failure to do so will result in you having to face the rain and sun rays head-on. Furthermore, you may simply need to replace the RV awning fabric, which can easily be done.

Other Ways to Enjoy Travel Season

Inspecting your RV is only the beginning of the experience. To maximize your road trip adventure, apply these suggestions as well.

1. Bring some friends along.

Stepping away from the demands of life is great, and sometimes it’s even better with friends. While you might prefer to take a trip alone, a few close friends will likely enhance your trip.

2. Leave work behind.

If the purpose of your RV trip is to refresh yourself, don’t bring along work or daily responsibilities. Instead, finish necessary tasks beforehand so that you enjoy your trip uninterrupted.

3. Plan and budget.

The easiest way to plan and budget is to decide ahead of time how many trips you will take this travel season. Will you take one long vacation or several weekend trips? Once you’ve developed a travel plan, you can decide how and where you would like to spend your money.

We Can Help!

RV Awnings specializes in making replacement awning fabric of the highest standard and offers a variety of options. If you have any further questions or would like to order a replacement awning fabric, call us today.