The average RV maintenance costs are between $500 to $1,000 each year. However, if you don’t properly maintain your RV, these costs could skyrocket to thousands of dollars for RV repairs and replacements.
You can avoid unnecessary costs for replacements and repairs by simply looking after your RV.
If you don’t know how to maintain an RV then you’ve come to the right place. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about proper storage, routine inspections, and important components to maintain.
Armed with this knowledge you and your RV will have a happy, long, and cost-effective life together.
Store Your RV Properly
When you’re not cruising the open road and exploring National Parks, you need to ensure that your RV and its vital components are stored properly. You need to keep your RV safe from the elements with RV covers and proper storage practices.
The most important thing is to cover your RV’s roof as it’s exposed to the sun, rain, and other weather elements. Replacing or repairing the roof of an RV is a big job that costs a lot of money so storing it under a carport or using a cover is vital.
When you’re not using your RV during the winter months you should take out the battery and store it somewhere warm. Failing to do this might result in your battery freezing and breaking.
If possible, hook it up to a trickle charger so that it doesn’t drain completely as this will cause the battery to go bad.
Put tire covers on to protect your tires and rims from sun and wind damage, as well as dirt buildup.
Maintain Your RV Generator
Regularly servicing and looking after your generator is an important part of any RV maintenance checklist. If your generator is unused for a long time the lifespan is drastically reduced and you’ll end up having to make an expensive purchase to replace it.
The shelf life of gasoline is around one month and if it sits for longer than that in your generator it will start to break down and damage internal components. To keep this from happening, run your generator once a month for at least two hours.
What’s more, you should service your generator according to the manufacturer’s recommendations on the frequency of oil and filter changes. Ignoring this simple step can cost you thousands of dollars in RV repairs that could easily be avoided.
Inspect the Water and Waste System
It’s important to keep your water and waste system maintained and it’s simple to do — so there are no excuses! All it requires is ensuring that you are using the correct chemicals for the system.
You can also find products that are suitable for all wastewater systems and use these to regularly flush the system so that there isn’t a huge buildup.
Nothing will ruin an RV trip quicker than a nasty, clogged-up water or waste system.
Clean and Lubricate Slide-Out Rails
This is a regular maintenance requirement that you need to do to avoid common RV problems. You should aim to regularly clean your slide-outs to prevent a build-up of dirt and grime around the seals.
Aside from cleaning the slide-outs, your need to also lubricate the slider mechanisms so that it works smoothly and doesn’t create friction which leads to wear and tear. Lubrication will also protect your slide-out rails from rust and corrosion.
Check Your Window, Door, and Roof Seals
One of the most common RV problems is moisture getting into your vehicle through faulty and damaged weather stripping and seals. All seals have a lifeline and naturally degrade over time. So, it’s your job to keep track of when the seals are worn down and need to be replaced.
You should check the seals on your RV windows and doors every three months to make sure that there is no deterioration and that they fit tightly. You only need to check your roof seals twice a year to make sure there are no cracks, loose pieces, or evidence of moisture.
Don’t Forget to Open Your Vents
This is the easiest thing that you need to do to keep your RV in tip-top condition. If you’re not using your RV during the summertime it’s vital that you open your vents to release the heat. If you don’t do this then the heat will build up in your vehicle and can reach up to 130 degrees.
This kind of temperature can break down even the toughest materials over time. Your seals, flooring, seams, and wall coverings are all vulnerable to deterioration from the heat.
By opening your vents you allow air to flow through the RV and keep the temperatures down. However, ensure that you only do this when your RV is parked in a covered area so that water doesn’t get inside.
Are You Staying Up-to-Date With RV Maintenance?
After reading through this RV maintenance checklist do you think you are doing enough to properly maintain and look after your RV?
Many of these duties are quick and simple and don’t cost a dime. Yet, if you keep up-to-date with regular maintenance you can save yourself a lot of money and a lot of headaches.
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