Rv maintenance 101 pdf download

A single year of outdoor storage can result in significant damage. With proper care, a quality RV will travel up to , miles before requiring major repairs to the engine. Interested to know more about camper maintenance? Here are five cleaning and care tips to keep your van in top shape!

When it comes to routine maintenance, RVs require a different approach than traditional vehicles. For example, you must check the roof seals and seams of your van regularly to make sure there are no leaks.

Inspect the roof at least once a month. If you notice any leaks or open seams, use a sealant to patch the roof. Protect your RV with a steel carport. These accessories could save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Make a habit out of checking the tires for wear-and-tear, loose nuts, and misalignment.

Keep a spare tire at hand to stay on the safe side. This will ensure that you can fully enjoy your trip without having to make detours. Beware that overinflated tired can explode. Always check the tire pressure before hitting the road. The nooks and crannies in a van tend to attract dust.

This can affect air quality and make it hard to breathe, especially for those with asthma or sleep apnea. Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to gasp for air!

To prevent these issues, choose a compact vacuum with a hose attachment that can get into the tiniest cracks. Depending on the type of RV owned, you may be able to use a pressure washer to keep your van clean and shiny. Avoid power washing if your RV has decals. Maintain a safe distance when using your pressure washer. Keep the nozzle about a foot away from the van. Start with the roof and then go all the way down. Over time, this may cause damage to the seams, seals, and other components.

One way to avoid these problems is to keep the vents open. This preventive measure will improve airflow, reducing the risk of overheating. Loose nuts, worn tires, leaky roofs, and other common issues can reduce the lifespan of your van. Add RV maintenance to your priority list to avoid costly repairs later on.

In the meantime, check the rest of our Lifestyle section for more tips! Check all belts: Look for signs of wear and for any cracks in the belt. Check the belts for proper tension. It's a good idea to take spare belts with you on your trip. Check wiper blades for wear and poor operation. It's too late once it starts raining. Check the starting battery state of charge, water level, cables and connections. If you're not familiar with working around lead acid batteries have them checked at a qualified service center.

Check the condition of your tires: Look for uneven wear, tread depth and check for proper tire inflation. Check the tire pressure when the tires are cold, before traveling more than one mile. Start the engine and allow it to warm up.

Check all gauges for proper operation. Monitor your gauges while driving. If a guage is out of the normal range pull over as soon as it is safe and call for assistance. Check the dash air for proper operation. Whether you're pulling a pop up a travel trailer or driving a motor home try to avoid using the dash air when the engine is under a strain, such as on an upgrade.

Check your emergency kit for a flashlight, extra batteries, jumper cables, first aid kit, basic hand tools, and warning devices. In addition to this if you have a pop up or travel trailer the wheel bearings and brakes if equipped should be inspected at least once annually. Inspect any canvas for dry rot and tears; inspect all hitch work and the coupler for damage. Inspect the breakaway switch and pigtail for proper operation.

Test the roof air conditioner s. Install a thermostatically controlled refrigerator vent fan. In hot weather s trategically park your RV to take advantage of shade. This can. Check the auxiliary battery s state of charge, water level, cables and connections. If you're not familiar with lead acid batteries have them checked by an authorized service center. Check operation of the generator under load. Service the generator as recommended by the manufacturer. Check all appliances, electric and gas, for proper operation.

Thoroughly flush out the holding tanks every time you dump them. Check all volt interior lights and accessories. Check fire extinguishers, smoke alarm, carbon monoxide and LP gas leak detector. Inspect the operation of the awning and check the awning fabric. Check the campground electric for proper voltage and polarity before plugging the RV in. Drain the water out of the water system when you're not using the RV. Now that you performed your preventive maintenance checks go and have a good time and enjoy the fact that there is much less chance of encountering the need for any emergency maintenance during your trip.

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