RV Maintenance 101: Preserving Your Investment
Posted by The RV Experts in Beginner RV Basics, RV Maintenance
Recreational vehicles- just like your cars and home - require some care and feeding to keep them working properly and protected. Just as you can’t own a house without maintaining it, you will need to perform some basic maintenance on your RV to preserve your investment and to get the most out of your RV travel experiences.
In general, an RV is like any other motorized (or towed) vehicle. It does require periodic checkups, maintenance and service by trained professional mechanics. There area some things you can perform yourself, however others will require “adult supervision”
Give Your RV a Pre-Trip Inspection Each Time
Most of us know what it is like to be sitting on the side of the road, waiting for a tow truck or mechanic to help us because we forgot to check fluids, tires or something basic on our cars. The same goes for RVs. It is always a good idea to check and inspect your RV before you head out on the open road.
We suggest the following checks at a minimum:
- Check the important fluids like engine oil, transmission oil, and any other fluids that area accessible.
- Check your tire pressure and get any slow leaks fixed before heading out on a trip.
- Check your critical water and plumbing systems (you might need these
) - Inspect any hitches or coupling systems
- Check for leaks underneath and in the engine and systems compartments
- Fire up your generator (if you have one)
- For cold weather adventures, test out your heating systems and run your water systems to check for frozen pipes.
Don’t Skip the Scheduled Maintenance Services
Most people have mechanics or dealers perform scheduled maintenance on their vehicles - mostly to avoid voiding any warranties and to help sell the vehicle later. It is easy to think that your RV doesn’t need the same attention, but don’t make that mistake!
RVs are actually far more complicated than the average car. Imagine taking your new computer-monitored truck and installing all of the service of your home in it (e.g. shower, toilet, stove, oven, microwave, etc.). You get the idea - your RV needs even more professional service than your car.
We always recommend finding a qualified mechanic or dealer shop to perform complex maintenance. These individuals have hard-earned experience on how to see and fix problems before they appear and keep you on the road (instead of on the side of the road). It does cost some cash, but it’s worth it!
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