Demand for RVs has increased over the past year, prices are now ranging from $100,000 to $800,000. However, owners should not solely rely on RV service centers and technicians for RV maintenance.
Preventative RV maintenance is important and there are many simple tasks to keep your RV intact. These steps do not require professional knowledge or expensive special equipment.
This short guide will give you eight routine tasks that will help keep your RV moving along.
Table of Contents
Water Heat Flush
Performing a basic flush out on your RV hot water heater is going to help clean it out. This can remove any calcification that is built up inside the vehicle over time. This can help maintain any RV AC maintenance.
You will need a basic tank cleaning wand, a hose, and an adjustable crescent wrench. Before starting, you want to make sure the electrical and propane circuits are shut off. You also want to turn off your water pump.
Let the water heater cool down a bit before any adjustments. Pull the relief valve to drain and pull out the vinyl drain plug. After completely draining, use the cleaning wand and hose to clear the line of any debris.
After removing any bits of calcification, reattach the drain plug and check for any leaks. You can then refill the water heater and check if everything is working properly. Be sure to check both propane mode and heater mode to ensure they’re working.
Anode Rod
Some water heaters are going to have an anode rod that is connected to the other end of the drain plug. These rods corrode to help prevent further corrosion from the water heater lines.
In some cases, if the item corrodes down too far, you’ll want to replace that. After plugging the water heater drain plug back in, be sure to replace this anode rod as well.
Tire Maintenance and Replacement
One important aspect of your RV maintenance checklist is your tire. Be sure to check your tire pressure. You should determine what the best tire pressure is for your particular vehicle.
The average maximum pressure for most RVs is 80 psi. Checking the tires means picking up a tire pressure gauge and large monkey wrench as well for replacements.
An air compressor can also help refill a tire when you’re out on the road with low tire pressure. These air compressors can prevent you from having to call roadside service. Clip Champ is a great source that delivers some special tips and clues to retain your vehicle maintenance.
RV Battery Care
A lot of RV owners are not efficient when it comes to taking care of their RV battery maintenance. Your RV may come with one or two flooded lead-acid deep cycle batteries like an interstate battery.
A decent hydrometer measures the charge and gravity of each cell. All you need to do with the hydrometer is suck up some batter acid and test each cell. You’ll want to check on the hydrometer whether or not the acid reads at a good range.
So, pry off the cap to each cell and insert the hydrometer tubing into the cell. If one cell will not perform like the others, then it requires maintenance.
Check the electrolyte and fluid levels in the cell. Make sure there is enough fluid to cover the plating. Reattach the caps after finishing the tests.
Standard Roof Inspection
RV roof maintenance is important in preventing leaks. Water erosion and tear can cause leakage problems on your roof.
Make sure to climb atop your roof every once in a while. Inspect all seals on the roof that may be showing signs of wear and cracking.
Reinforce and reseal these vulnerable spots using a product called dye core. This material is a roof sealant that many owners may already possess. It’s a white chalky substance you can use as a sealant.
A giant caulking gun can help you caulk these areas. Over a couple of hours, these spots will dry and harden. It will seal up all these cracks and openings. You can also add a layer of protection over these seals to add protection against damage from erosion.
If you want to add insurance to water roof protection, buy some Eterna roof bond sealing tape. You can cover the larger seams in the roof and areas containing sealant to add further protection.
Slide Out Inspection and Lube
If your RV contains a motorized slide-out, you may want to check these parts to secure mechanical errors. You want to make sure there are no binding or weird noises. Checking these parts can ensure this smooth-running equipment.
Take a rag and periodically clean a lot of these surfaces. This will clear out any dirt or debris.
Then, apply a healthy coat of spray lubricant to the revolving parts. The three-in-one RV care slide spray will take care of these issues. Coat every moving component under the slide including the rubber seals.
If you want to go the extra step, locate the slide-out motor remove the paneling. Make sure there are no loose connections or bolts.
Igniter Compartment Cleanout
If your RV runs on propane and contains a refrigerator, check these components for damage. It is vital that your gas and refrigerator are turned off before operating.
Over the igniter, there is an area for propane to fire up the refrigerator. There tends to be some debris or rust in this area after periodic use. Too much of this debris can clog up the igniter under your refrigerator.
Remove the outer cover with a screwdriver. A rag and vacuum cleaner can help clear out any debris if present. An air compressor can also help blow out the material.
Run Your Generator
If your RV has an onboard generator, be sure to fire it up once in a while. It is a great recommendation to run the generator at least once a month.
Then, turn on your air conditioner or your water heater for about 30 minutes. Repeat this process about once a month. Generator and RV engine maintenance is important to keeping your RV powered on.
It’s important to run it periodically so you prevent it from idling. Once a month, exercise your generator, and once a year be sure to change the oil.
If you ever find any severe issues with your RV, be sure to contact an RV Service for professional maintenance.
RV Maintenance
Checking these routine tasks can help save you a lot of money in the long run. They can also prevent safety hazards while you’re out on the road.
Negligence can be costly when parts of an RV need more serious repair. Inspecting your vehicle and applying this routine maintenance will ensure safety.
Follow our care and repair blog are for more information and tips on secure RV maintenance!
