RV Maintenance 101

RV Maintenance 101 

It is important to show your RV some care every month to extend your RVs lifespan. If you are not an experienced RV owner and aren’t sure where to start, this article is for you!  

Every RV comes with an owner's manual with detailed information and instructions for your RV. In this article, we will be summing up basic maintenance actions you can take to extend your RVs lifespan. 

  Here are some DYI actions you can take to keep your RV in the best condition possible. If you’re not a DIY person, there's good news! We have four locations for RV repairs!  Decatur, TX, Atkins, AR, Willis, TX, and Rose City, TX.  

Call for questions or maintenance appointment 

1. Inspect the roof of your RV: 

Your RVs roof has seen it all, from rain, hail, sun, wind, and maybe tree debris. It may be time to climb up to your RVs roof and check for any damages. If you’re not sure what you should be looking for, here are some target areas to look at: 

• Do an overall scan to notice any major damages. 

• Check the seams and see if any are damaged, cracked, or lifted up on the edges. 

• Check the vents and the vent covers. Ensure that these are in good shape and not damaged.  

• Inspect any skylights and ensure they are 100% sealed, bolted/screwed in, and in good shape. 

2. Clean the roof & awning of your RV: 

Tree sap, branches, leaves, dust, and rain can wear and tear your roof. After you’re done inspecting the roof of your RV, take some time to wash the roof and awning. 

•  Blow or sweep any dirt off of your roof and awning. 

• Rinse off the roof with a high-power wash setting. 

• Mix a soft soap with warm water in a bucket and scrub with a vehicle wash brush. 

• Rinse but do not roll the awning back up until it is fully dry. Rolling an awning up while it is still wet can cause mold and makes for a weak awing.  

3. Clean the outside of your RV 

After you’ve cleaned your roof, this is a good time to wash the outside of your RV. Again the elements can cause the exteriors' skin to go through a lot, so make sure you’re washing your RV at least once a month. Ensure to scrub the skin of the RV and the tires. Washing your tires before inspecting them can help enhance any damage to your tire! 

4. Check the air conditioning unit: 

• Inspect the cover and make sure it is all together and there are no cracks or holes. The cover is essential in protecting the A/C unit from the elements when hauling.  

• Check to make sure the A/C unit is still securely on top of the roof. Give it a little shake and make sure nothing has come loose.  

• Check the cooling fins, they should be straight. If they’re bent, this will restrict airflow through the unit and reduce the unit's cooling ability. The fins are very fragile so if you need to straighten one out, use a comb or a dull knife and be extra careful to not puncture the condenser tubes.  

• Check the A/C unit from the inside as well. Under the plastic cover, you’ll find one or two foam filters. The filters can be washed and re-used or you can purchase and replace the old filters with new ones.  

A good rule of thumb for your RV: If it comes with a ladder, your roof is walkable; if it does not come with a ladder, we do not recommend walking on the roof but using a safe ladder and inspecting from the side. 

No one wants to get stuck on the side of the road and have to change a tire. While accidents do happen, you can take precautionary steps to try to prevent a blowout. 

• Check your tire pressure on your RV and vehicle. 

•  Inspect the tread of your tire. If your tires are starting to bald, it’s best to replace them sooner than later. 

• Look for dry rot. Signs of dry rot are cracks on the tread, cracks on the side wall, faded color. 

• Don’t forget to double-check the lug nuts before every trip just in case! 

6. Check your RV batteries  

Check the batteries every month and a few days before your trip in case they need to be replaced. During the wintertime, it is advised to take your battery out and store it in a warm place to avoid them freezing and breaking.  

Generators are an essential feature of your RV. Not all new RV’S come with Generators at the time of the sale, but this feature is essential if you plan on spending long periods of time in the RV, without a power plug source.  

• It is good to check these simple steps to ensure that your generator is in working condition before getting on the road. Running the generator for an hour or so, making sure it is in good running condition. When you’re running the generator, ensure that the A/C and the fridge are turned on. This exercises the generator, prevents the generator from seizing up, and gives you a chance to check if the fridge and A/C are still working. Your generator's manual will have the exact hour information. Diesel generators typically need to be changed every 150-250 hours whereas gas generators are closer to 150-200. If you’re unsure if your generator is gas or diesel, take a look at the label on the generator or the owner's manual. Make sure to properly dispose of oil and do not throw oil directly in the trash. 

8. Check running lights and brake lights 

• Always check running lights and brake lights on your RV a few days before a trip and the day of.  Check turn signals, hazards, and running lights before hauling off to your destination. If your lights are not working properly, double check the connection. If they are still having issues, you can call our service center for any extra advice or suggestions they may have. If there is a serious problem, you can book an appointment with the service department. 

9. Make sure your tanks are cleaned and in good condition