When purchasing an RV, you want to ensure you take the best care of it to make it last as long as possible. Taking good care of your RV will allow it to reach its full potential and last through all your road trips. Following these top tips will keep your RV in its best condition for longer and minimize costs that are easily preventable with proper maintenance.
Seals
Checking the roof and window seals of your RV around every three months will stop any water damage to your RV that could cost you a lot of money to fix. Even small leaks can cause a considerable amount of damage over time, and all of this can be prevented by sealing over any leaks. This can take ten minutes to do and can save you hundreds in water damage costs. Check out the best sealants to buy for your RV if you do find any leaks in your windows, roof, or air conditioning.
Batteries
It is important that you keep a close eye on your RV battery, so your camping trip can go as smoothly as possible. You will need to check what type of battery your RV has as some are maintenance free whereas some have water levels. The main goal for an RV battery is for you to do your best in keeping it charged always. While an RV battery tends to last between 3-5 years, the type of battery you have will determine when it begins to lose capacity. A deep-cycle battery will begin to lose capacity after three years whereas a start-type battery will be five years.
Checking Tire Pressure
It is vital that you monitor and check your tire pressure before hitting the road. Your safety should be your main priority when on an RV trip so make sure that you take the time to check the wheel lug nuts to ensure they have not loosened up at any point throughout your previous travels. It is incredibly dangerous to drive with loose lug nuts as you could potentially lose a wheel whilst on the road. It is also important to monitor your RV’s tire pressure. This is because overinflated tires can explode which could end up causing damage to your RV and potentially causing an accident on the road. Underinflated tires can be just as dangerous as they can cause problems when it comes to controlling the RV as well as generating more resistance which will affect your gas mileage. The level of temperature can also influence your tire pressure. For example, if your RV has been inside all of winter, the tire pressure will have decreased significantly so it is important that you keep a close eye to ensure your RV is safe to drive on the road.
Water and Sanitation
Maintenance of your RV’s water system is essential to prevent an excessive buildup of grime and dirt which could cause your RV’s water system to stop working or even valves seizing. Getting the right fluid is important and using enough to flush the system is equally as important. If you aren’t sure what fluid to get for your system, ask a mechanic or check online. Sanitation for your RV is also important, and this includes getting a good RV Sewer Hose and cleaning it properly.
Oil
Unlike a car, an RV’s oil should be changed a lot more frequently. Often an RV is stood still a lot more than a car and therefore the oil should be changed at least once a year to make sure everything is properly lubricated. If you use your RV a lot, you should be frequently checking your oil and a suggested oil change is every 3,000-4,000 miles. Lack of oil can cause a lot of wear and tear to your RV and this may end up costing you an expensive service or even a new engine.
Awning
It is essential to regularly check your RV’s awning unless you want a build-up of mold and mildew. A quick check on a regular basis can help you to spot any tears and repair them before they become a lot larger. Not cleaning your awning during trips could attract things like bee nests, or items may become stuck and tear and damage the fabric. Replacing the fabric or getting a new awning can cost over a thousand dollars, and by taking two minutes out of your day to check this, you could be saving a lot of money.
As you can see, regular maintenance that may only take a few minutes out of your daycould save you a lot of money in the long run. To get the most out of your RV, follow this check list to save money and keep your RV in top condition.
