Maintenance Tips for Year-Round RV Use

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RVs require a lot of the same vehicle attention that your car does, but there are a few areas to pay more attention to when it comes to your house on wheels. If you plan to use your RV year-round, check out these maintenance tips to keep your RV in tip-top shape.

Maintaining Your RV’s Seals 

• Check Your Roof Seals and Seams - Roof leaks seem to be a common problem in RVs. A leak can not only cause cosmetic damage to the interior of your RV, but it can also cause extensive damage to electrical wiring along with mold and mildew buildup in the walls. You should have your roof inspected by a certified RV professional at least a few times a year for any open seams in the skylight, air conditioning unit, vents or along your roof’s edge. If open seams are found you should treat these spots as soon as possible, as any openings may lead to a roof leak.
• Manage Your RV’s Slide Outs and Seals - Another way to manage your RV’s seals is to check the RV slide outs. These should be checked and cleaned regularly to prevent any dirt build-up. Expand your slide outs and clear out any dirt build-up that may have accumulated. Also lubricate the slider mechanisms so they extend with minimal wear on the motor system. 
• Check Your Tire Pressure and Wheel Lug Nuts - Tires are an essential part of any vehicle, but maintaining healthy and viable tires are crucial for RVs. Having an incorrect tire pressure may lead to lower gas mileage, loss of control or even a tire blowout. Before taking your RV out on the road, you should check your tire pressure and tighten the wheel lug nuts. Also, you should keep a log of how many miles you have put on your tires as this can help with the timing of tire inspections and replacements. If you plan on parking your RV for an extended period, then you should coat them with UV sunscreen and cover them as this may extend the life of the tire. 

Keeping Up With Regular RV Wear and Tear

RVs are a fun and simple way to travel, but these oversized vehicles may need a little more attention than your car when it comes to regular wear and tear. Here are a few things to keep your eye on.

• Monitor Your Battery - Make sure that your RV’s battery is charged before any trip. With proper maintenance, an RV’s battery may last between five to seven years. Recharge a discharged battery as soon as you notice it to avoid sulfation.
• Maintain Your RV’s Brakes - Your RV’s brakes may have to be replaced more often than you think. Look at the owner’s manual for your specific RV and stick to the recommended brake inspection schedule. Get an update on your brake pads and flush the brake fluid, and when having your brakes replaced, lubricate and re-pack the wheel bearings.
• Change the RV’s Oil - Your RV’s oil should be checked and changed regularly. Refer to your RV’s manual guide to determine how often it should be changed.
• Replace Your RV’s Filters - Have a professional inspect and replace your RV’s air, fuel, coolant and hydraulic filters. Refer to your owner’s manual for how often this should be done.
• Clean Your RV’s Awning - RV awnings are a very fragile part of an RV so, inspect and clean your RV’s awning to avoid mildew, mold and dirt build-up. Additionally, when the RV is not in use or you are expecting bad weather, wrap the awning up to protect it.
• Manage the Wastewater System - Make sure that you are using the proper chemical and water ratio for your RV’s wastewater system and use the correct chemicals that are designed to work with your system. To keep the pipes clean, flush them regularly and with enough water. 

RV repairs may be time consuming and costly. Keep up on your year-round maintenance to avoid some of these problems and potentially lessen the amount of repairs.