4 RV Maintenance Items that Should Always Be on Your To-Do List

Owning an RV is meant to be fun and exciting, because it can open the door to travel and experiences you’ve never had before. But being an RV owner is also a big responsibility and requires a lot of planning and budgeting to be successful.

One major component of caring for your RV is consistently performing regular maintenance. Why? Because your rig – whatever type it may be – is a complex vehicle and needs a special type of care.

So, what are some of the general maintenance items you need on your checklist to keep your RV in tip-top shape? Here are four!

Change Oil and Filters

You know that changing the oil in your car or truck is important to keep up with. The same goes for your RV. An engine needs clean oil to operate seamlessly and when it’s not changed periodically, your engine could seize up. This could cost you a lot of money to repair. Check your owner’s manual for recommendations on how frequently you should change your oil.  

Check Your Tires

At least once a month, but especially before any trip, you should carefully check your tires. This task is essential to do for RVs that are kept outside, as the ultraviolet rays from the sun can deteriorate tire rubber. Look for signs of tread wear and cracks in the sidewalls and ensure that all valves and valve caps are in place. Don’t forget to check your owner’s manual for the proper air pressure and inflate or deflate your tires as needed. Check your spare tire, too!

Have Your Brakes Inspected

Bring your rig to an RV mechanic and have him or her check your brakes. This is imperative to your safety and to the safety of others on the road with you. Brake damage that occurs on the road could also lead to expensive repairs.

Inspect the Generator

This is another engine in your rig that requires attentive care. The oil needs to be changed, just like the main engine. Additionally, you need to run your generator under load at least once a month. To start, turn on your generator and let it run for a few minutes without turning on anything inside the RV. Next, turn on a few items in your rig that will put the generator under load, about one half of what it can handle, and let it run for about two hours. For the final phase, turn the appliances off and let the generator run again off-load. Doing this every month, even while your rig is in storage, will help keep your generator in excellent working condition.  

In addition to these four maintenance items, you also need to check your batteries and inspect and clean all your storage tanks (freshwater, grey water, and black water) periodically.

What maintenance items are always at the top of your to-do list? Let us know in the comments or contact us today!