Buying a recreational vehicle opens a
door to adventure and budget travel. But there’s a lot more to
owning an RV than whizzing down the highway, soaking in magical
sceneries, and hanging out at campgrounds.
RV ownership comes with
responsibilities and even challenges. Your mobile abode is full of
appliances, systems, and many other components that need regular
maintenance to keep your entire rig in top shape.

Ignore maintenance, and everything
starts to fall apart—mechanical breakdowns in the middle of
nowhere, brake failure, sewage leaks, damaged appliances, and
plumbing issues.

To stretch the periods of bliss, and
reduce the misery when you go
road tripping, use this guide to keep your RV in
tip-top shape.

RV Maintenance
Checklist Before You Set-Off

• Engine – Oil changes are
  one of the first steps of performing engine maintenance. Have the
  oil changed every 3,000 to 6,000 miles for gas motor homes and every
  20,000 miles for diesel rigs. These numbers vary depending on the
  manufacturer. While you’re on it, change the oil and air filter,
  and have the brakes checked. Also, top off the radiator,
  transmission, brake, wiper, AC coolant, and power steering fluids.
• Electric System – For a
  safe trip, make sure all electrical components are in good working
  order. Test all exterior lights and replace the bulbs that aren’t
  working. Check the circuit breaker, then open the fuse box and look
  for blown fuses.
• Battery – Maintaining your
  RV batteries will depend on what type of batteries you have. But
  generally, you need to replenish the water in flooded cell
  batteries, clean the terminals to remove corrosion, test how fast
  they discharge, and make sure they aren’t at the end of their life
  cycle.
• Tires – Maintenance of your
  motor home tires is much the same as you’d do for your car.
  Visually examine for tread wear and replace tires if you notice
  cracks or bulges. If all looks good, top off-air pressure, and
  tighten the lug nuts on your RV wheels. And don’t forget to rotate
  your tires annually so that the treads wear evenly.
• Roof – RV roofs take some
  of the harshest beatings, whether from rain, sun, hail, wind,
  falling leaves, or low-lying branches. Ignore the roof, and it will
  develop leaks or even fly
  off when cruising down the highway. Always clean your
  roof before a trip, inspect the seams and seals, and look for leaks.
  Pay particular attention to the areas around air conditioning,
  skylights, vents, antennas, and solar panels. For a rubber roof, you
  must treat it a minimum of once every year.
• Seals – Apart from the
  roof, leaks can occur in the windows, door frames, and other seals.
  Even the slightest crevice can create space for water to sip through
  when it’s raining. If you discover leaks, seal with quality and
  compatible sealant. If you can’t tell where the leaks are coming
  from, you may need to enlist the help of a professional.
• Holding Tanks – Motor homes
  usually come with three types of holding tanks; Fresh, gray, and
  black tanks. To sanitize your freshwater tank, run some bleach and
  clean water through it. The gray water tank may need an odor blocker
  if it smells, while the black water tank needs regular flushing. And
  make sure you have the correct sewer connections to avoid nasty
  messes at the dump station.
• Plumbing – Your camper’s
  pipes absorb a lot of vibration on the road and handle different
  climate changes. All this shock eventually leads to plumbing issues
  down the road. Look for drips along the lines and signs of leaks
  underneath all your sinks. Reseal or replace damaged pipes. Makes
  sure you also test your water heater and rinse out any sediment.
• Safety Features – Your
  safety features are the components that will help you handle
  emergencies. Some essential features include a carbon
  monoxide detector, fire extinguisher, tire monitoring system,
  rear view camera, propane leak detector, battery monitor, surge
  protector, first aid kit, roadside safety kit, and pet monitor. Make
  sure they are all functional.
• Generator – Generators are
  super important, especially for Rivers who like to boon dock. It’s
  also your emergency power option when there’s a blackout at the
  campground. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding how
  often you should change the oil and the filter.
• Exterior and Interior Wash
  – To give your rig a bath, use non-abrasive multi-surface
  products, starting from the top going down. When you’re done, wax
  to protect your paint coat from the harsh elements. The interiors,
  too, deserve cleaning to stay fresh. Remove cabinets, drawers, and
  cushions for easy clean-up.

RV Maintenance During
The Road Trip

RV maintenance is an ongoing process,
whether you’re on the road or you’ve arrived at your dream
destination. Here are important maintenance tasks while traveling.

• Monitor Fluid Levels –
  While on the road, keep track of the fluids and oils to ensure your
  rig operates smoothly. Refill the coolant, engine oil, transmission,
  power steering, and brake fluids when necessary. Use the manual to
  tell the right capacities and the products to use. To know when your
  freshwater tank is running low or when the gray and black tanks are
  about to run out of space, get a tank monitoring device.
• Lubricate Moving Parts –
  Some RV issues only become apparent when you hit the road. Like
  sticky slide outs, stuck awnings, noisy cabinets, and drawers that
  won’t stay closed. Bring dry slide out lube to keep rollers and
  rails lubricated and screwdrivers to adjust drawers and other loose
  parts. To tackle most nagging issues, you’ll need to have a toolbox
  complete with everything from screwdrivers, lubricants, sealants,
  pliers to duct tape.
• Tires – An RVer should
  always inspect the tires after every stop. Use your tire pressure
  monitor to ensure they aren’t under or over-inflated, and look for
  any tears or cracks that have developed. If you plan to camp in one
  place for an extended period, cover the tires to protect them from
  damaging sun exposure.

RV Maintenance After
a Trip

After a fun-filled RV vacation, don’t
be tempted to store your camper in its current condition until the
next trip. A wash immediately after a trip will extend its life, help
retain its resale value, and keep it ready to roll anytime.

• Thoroughly Clean the RV –
  Wash the exterior, including the roof, walls, windows, and
  underbelly. Inside, remove any foodstuffs and toiletries, vacuum the
  floors, wipe down every surface, clean the bathroom, launder the
  linen, then wash and pack away dishes. As you clean, inspect
  different areas for damage.
• Drain the Water System – If
  your next trip is months away, you’ll need to drain all the water
  in your pipes, holding tanks, pumps, and water heater to prevent
  corrosion.
• Take Care of Interior
  Components – Before you put away the RV for a season, disconnect
  any electronics and appliances, remove any batteries from small
  devices like smoke alarms, and remove and place the RV’s lead-acid
  battery in a trickle charger. You’ll also need to add a fuel
  stabilizer to your gas and generator tanks.
• Cover the RV – Get a cover
  specifically tailored to your RV to protect your motor home against
  critters, UV rays, rain, wind, bird droppings, and tree sap. The
  material should be breathable to avoid trapping moisture, which
  could cause mold growth.

Keep Your RV in
Trip-Ready Shape

Keeping up with RV maintenance ensures
your camper is prepared to handle anything the big open highway
throws at it without breaking down. Regular servicing and inspection
will also keep you safe on the road, stop the annoying rattles, and
help you detect issues before they develop into bigger, more
expensive problems.