Many families now travel with their RV as a safer and more convenient way to start exploring the outdoors. But while owning an RV is very advantageous for families and groups of friends, it also comes with a set of responsibilities to care about. Just like owning a car, an RV requires proper maintenance for it to run smoothly!
If you just bought an RV or you’re wondering about how to care for them, read on as I show you tips on how to maintain your RV while traveling.
Maintaining Your RV While Traveling
The RV is a large vehicle for long travel, and proper maintenance is important for many reasons. The last thing you want is to break down away from home, because it will usually happen in some inaccessible place where there are no mechanics or parts available.
Inspecting the Roof
Every three months, it’s crucial to check the roof and seams of your RV for any leakage. Water leaks may appear around seams on the roof, or other type of joins such as rivets. Also check any place where there is equipment such as around the A/C unit. Not only is it irritating to have the RV leak during rainy days, it can also cause severe damage to your RV. If you do find any leaks, you can use waterproof sealants to patch it up.
Checking the Tires
Before beginning a road trip or leaving a pitstop or campsite, once on your journey, ensure the wheel nuts are tight and that all tire pressures are at the right levels to handle the vehicle’s weight. Check for wear and tear on the tires, looking for splits on both the tire walls and the tread. Wheel nuts can come loose, with drastic consequences. I once had a wheel come of and go spinning into a field, passing my RV. This was a frightening experience, and the tire bolt holes were damaged, ruining the wheel.
RV Battery
Dead batteries while on the road probably mean a big problem, because you won’t be able to run the RV at all! Fortunately, modern heavy-duty batteries are not only maintenance free, they are long-life, as long as you keep them fully charged. They can last for about three to five years. Be sure to check the charging levels, wiring and charging system. Also, avoid wasting energy by using unnecessary power when in the RV.
Changing Oil and Filters
Even though you don’t use the RV every day, it still require regular oil changes, because oil deteriorates over time. It is often recommended to change the oil every 3,000 miles, but check the type of oil you use, to see what its limits are. You may find that it should be replaces every 3 to six months. For newer vehicles, oil changes may be further apart. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendations. Check and consider replacing the air filters, coolant filter if there is one, fuel filter, and hydraulic fluid filters to keep the engine and other systems cool and to avoid wearing the engine of your RV.
In Conclusion
Similar to car care and maintenance, you’ll need to do the same for your RV, especially if you plan on using it a lot for your future travels. With the proper tips and ways on how to keep your RV running in tiptop shape while you’re on the road, you won’t need to worry about it breaking down in the middle of your trip!
If you’re planning your next road trip and need to tune your RV, then don’t forget to carry out the maintenance, allowing plenty of time to get replacement parts or fluids.
I would love to hear your comments or questions about maintaining your RV before or while traveling.
