5 RV Maintenance Tips to Never Overlook
As the colder weather begins to settle in, many RV owners are getting prepared to put their rigs away for the season. Now is an excellent time to give a little extra thought when it comes to your rig’s maintenance. After a busy summer full of travel and camping, your RV probably needs a little bit of TLC. In addition to washing and winterizing your motorhome, here are some important maintenance steps you should follow.
1. Cover the Roof
The roof of your RV, which is where many of its vents are located, takes a real beating from the sun, rain, snow, and ice. Snow buildup on the roof of your rig can cause costly damage, and sun exposure can result in fading paint and faulty seals. One way to prevent these potential problems is to cover your RV. Whether you park it under an awning, store it in a garage or enclosed storage facility, or cover it with a tarp – make sure the roof is shielded from the outdoor elements before you stow it away for the winter months.
2. Run the Generator Regularly
Next, make sure you run the generator regularly. If possible, run it for a short period of time every single month by turning it on for two hours at 50 percent load. This will prevent the gasoline from going bad, and ensure the generator is ready to serve you well when you’re done storing your rig. If you can’t do this because of where you’re keeping your RV, consider adding a fuel stabilizer before storing it in order to protect the fuel and the generator.
3. Inspect the Seals and Trim
The off season is an excellent time to ensure that the seals and trim in your RV are in good shape. Inspect them for gaps, cracks, separation, and any other signs of damage. Failing seals will allow pests and dust into your rig, which is something you want to avoid at all costs. Both can cause pesky problems, and pests can create some serious and costly damage. While the trim is less vital, it’s still an important part of the aesthetics of your RV. The off season gives you the opportunity to make sure all of these are in good, working order.
4. Take Care of Slide-outs
If your unit has slide-outs, you’ll want to lubricate the mechanism before storing your rig. This will help prevent rust or corrosion when you’re not using them. It will also help to ensure they’re working smoothly when you open up your RV again in the spring. Lubricating is easy, simply spray or spread lubricant on the mechanism, and let it do its job. While you’re working on this, reinforce the seals on the slide-out.
5. Check Tire Condition
Your tires worked hard all summer long to get you to and from your chosen camping destinations. Make sure they’re not in need of replacement by checking their pressure. Inflate the tire to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer or on the RV’s federal label. Always check the pressure when tires are cold, because this will be when the pressures are at their lowest. Next, inspect the tread. For the best safety, you need at least 4/32 inch of remaining tread on your tires. As you inspect this, look for bubbles, uneven wear, or separation – all of which mean the tires need to be replaced.
It’s easy to forget about your motorhome during the winter, but you need to make sure you keep up with maintenance all year long… even during the off season. Ignoring maintenance will leave you with costly repairs next time you want to hit the road. Take some time to give attention to these tasks, and store your RV confidently knowing that it will be ready for the spring travel season.
