Before Each Trip
Go through this short and simple camper maintenance list before each and every trip in order to ensure your RV is ready to hit the road (without falling apart).
Examine Tires
Avoiding blowouts is crucial for ensuring your safety while traveling in an RV. Therefore, you will want to check the pressure of each tire and add air to any tires that may need it. Additionally, check for wear and tear, making sure that no places are worn excessively, bubbling, or showing other signs of damage.
Check Headlights and Brake Lights
Brake lights and headlights are also important parts of traveling safely. Make sure yours work before each road trip.
Clear Roof of Any Debris
RV roofs have a tendency to gather debris. Letting this sit can cause damage to the roof. It can also be dangerous if it flies off the roof during travel. Therefore, you will want to clear it before you leave.
Monthly RV Maintenance Tips
The following motorhome and travel trailer checklist includes everything you’ll want to do to your RV on a monthly basis.
Run Your Generator
Gas goes bad when sitting still for too long, and generators don’t like being unused for long periods anyway. Avoid any problems by running your generator at about 50% load at least once a month.
Top Off Batteries
Did you know RV batteries need to be refilled occasionally? Be sure to check the water level in your batteries monthly and refill with distilled water wherever necessary.
Top Off Batteries
Did you know RV batteries need to be refilled occasionally? Be sure to check the water level in your batteries monthly and refill with distilled water wherever necessary.
Check Under the Hood
Motorhome owners should take a look under the hood of their RV once a month or so to make sure there are no signs of leaking and that all clamps and hoses are securely attached.
Test Safety Equipment
Test and clean your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector regularly and replace batteries that need to be replaced. Additionally, you will want to check that your fire extinguisher is still in good working order.
Lubricate the Slides
Slides are wonderful things to have on your RV. That said, they do come with a bit of added maintenance. You see, RV slideouts should be lubricated once in a while to ensure they continue to pull in and out smoothly.
Check Your Seals
Water leaks are an RV owner’s worst enemy. Avoid water damage by regularly checking your RV’s exterior seals for places where water might enter and sealing up any problem areas using RV sealant.
Seasonal RV Maintenance Tips
The following tasks should be added to your RV maintenance schedule once every 6 months.
Check and Change Motorhome Fluids
Your motorhome is just like any other vehicle. This means you will need to change the oil once every 3,000 miles or so. While you’re at it, check the other fluids and filters and replace or top off anything that needs it.
Deep Clean
Make sure to deep clean your RV at least a couple times a year. Old food dropped under furniture, unknown water spills, and other common messes can cause bigger problems down the line, especially if left while the rig goes into storage.
Clean and Wax
Nobody wants a dirty or dull-looking RV. Keep yours clean and shiny by giving it a good wash and wax a couple times a year.
Weigh Your RV
Having an overweight RV can be extremely dangerous. For this reason, it’s incredibly important to keep tabs on the weight of your rig, especially if you’ll be adding new cargo. Make sure to weigh your RV at least twice a year.
Treat Metals
Lubricating metals that rub against other metals helps keep those things moving. This includes jacks, hitches, and fold-up stairs.
Yearly RV Maintenance Tips
Run through this RV maintenance checklist at least once a year to keep your motorhome or trailer in good shape.
Inspect Your Propane
Propane systems are another thing you’ll want to be watching year-round. However, making a point of having the whole system inspected once a year can really help you avoid having problems.
Reseal the Exterior of Your RV
We mentioned checking seals regularly above. However, even if you don’t find any obvious issues during those monthly inspections, resealing the exterior of your RV yearly is a good way to prevent future leaks.
Clean Your Water System
Nobody wants funky water in their fresh tank. To avoid this, clean the system once a year. Simply dump a cup of bleach into the fresh tank, fill it with potable water, let it sit for a day, and drain. Afterward, fill the tank with portable water again and run the faucets until the bleach smell is gone.
General Tips
Finding RV Maintenance Pros
Many of the things on this list can be done by individual RV owners. That said, there are some tasks that will need to be done by a professional. To find a professional in your area, we recommend calling nearby RV dealerships or searching online for "RV repairs near me."
RV Maintenance Costs
If you choose to do the majority of your maintenance on your own, the cost of RV maintenance shouldn’t be too high. Still, this is something you will want to add to your annual budget to ensure there’s never any stress when it comes time to take care of your tiny home-on-wheels.
Recommended Amenities
It's not that you can't drive your rig without these things, but they will really come in handy if and when certain scenarios present themselves.
Smoke Detector
Equip your RV with working fire safety technology, including a dual-sensor smoke alarm.
Carbon Monoxide Detector
Install a carbon monoxide detector and make sure it always has fresh batteries.
Fire Extinguisher
It's important to keep one or more up-to-date Class B/C fire extinguishers on board.
First Aid Kit
It's a good idea to have a first aid kit with bandages, gauze, Neosporin and aspirin to help take care of minor injuries that may happen on the road.
Road Flares
Road flares are something you don't think you need until you need them. Clear signage in the event of an accident keeps you safe until help arrives.
Check It Off and Head Out
Once you've gone through your maintenance check list, you'll feel much more confident (and safe) heading out on the road. Be responsible now so you can adventure more later! If you don't have an RV of your own, don"t let that stop you. Rent one today - the open road is calling!