5 Helpful RV Maintenance Tips
As we dive into summer in BC, RV season is officially in full swing. And while heading along the open road will no doubt be full of exciting adventures, it’s important to keep up with regular RV maintenance along the way. An RV is a big investment. So to ensure it lasts you for the long haul, here are a few essential RV maintenance tips to keep your fifth-wheel, motorhome, or travel trailer in tip-top shape all summer long!
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Keep up with winterizing and de-winterizing. One of the most important RV maintenance tips you must follow is to have your rig winterized in the fall and de-winterized once you pull it out in the spring. Keeping your RV stowed away all winter requires sealants and anti-freeze to avoid potential damage. Once you’re ready to take it out of hiding, all that anti-freeze must be flushed out before you put it back on the road. The process is pretty simple, and you can check out our how-to blog on it here. But to make your life easy, you can simply book a winterizing or de-winterizing appointment with the O’Connor RV service centre!
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Cover your hood when possible. RV roofs are especially susceptible to sun and environmental damage. Unfortunately, we often forget about our roofs because we don’t get up there regularly, which can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs. The best thing you can do to prevent this is to store your RV under a steel RV carport or traditional RV cover. If you’re a full-timer, you will want to climb up and clean the roof regularly. Try to inspect the roof seals and seams of your RV every six months for possible culprits for leaks. Apply sealant to a clean rooftop to prevent harmful water damage over time.
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Check your tires. One of the best tips for RV preventative damage is checking your tires. While the cost of replacing a single tire may not be great, the added cost of damage to the underneath and side of your RV as the result of a blowout can add up quickly. On travel days, you should be checking your RV’s tires once a day. Proper tire pressure is key, so make sure you carry a portable tire inflator. On travel days, tire pressure must be checked at least at the start of the day and, ideally, periodically thereafter. You’ll also want to keep your tires covered and out of the sun when possible.
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Monitor your wastewater system. Things can get messy quickly if your RV’s black or grey tank isn’t properly looked after. Maintenance of your RV’s wastewater system includes making sure that you are using adequate amounts of fluid to start the system after flushing and make sure that you flush the system on a regular basis. If you don’t maintain your RV’s water system, you will get excessive amounts of buildup, which may cause clogging of the system, failure of operation, and valve seizing.
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Keep your RV’s brakes maintained. Brake replacements can run you anywhere from $300-$500, so it’s important to keep your RV’s brakes maintained, not only for your safety but for everyone else’s on the road as well. Maintain the wheel bearings and make sure that they are nice and lubricated throughout the summer. In addition, make sure your brakes still have enough material left on them, and that they’re working properly so you get a good working activation in the trailer.
Exceptional Servicing with O’Connor RV!
There’s no need to stress when it comes to RV maintenance. Save yourself the headache by booking your RV winterization, de-winterization, repairs, and other RV services with O’Connor RV! Our service centre is here for you, and our expert team of specialists has the tools and know-how to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Protect your trailer for the long haul with O’Connor RV!
