By Chris Dougherty
Certified RV Technician
One of my best friends likes to say that once the Fourth of July hits, the summer is over. I’m not so cynical. Especially now that RVs can be so capable of extending the camping season.
So now that we’re headlong into the summer RV travel season, what kinds of maintenance things should RVers be keeping an eye on? Hopefully you’ve spent some time during the spring doing the main maintenance so you can enjoy more now. But, there are a few things that you should do during the course of the season while the coach is in use.
•Daily trip checklist — Run through a checklist before you hit the highway and avoid problems on the road. Make sure everything is secure, the antenna’s down, the water and electric are disconnected, the windows that need to be closed are, the sewer cap is on, you’re hitched up correctly, the lights and brakes work, tires are good, etc.
•Keep checking the roof — Especially if you suspect something has damaged it, keep checking the roof for holes, open seams and damage and fix as necessary.
•Keep it clean! — This helps RVs immeasurably. Keeping it clean not only looks better, but it keeps soils from damaging the coach and helps prevent critters from taking up residence.
•Check the tires — Maintain the tire pressure (part of your daily checks) and keep an eye on them for damage, poor wear patterns, cracks, etc.
•Keep your batteries maintained! — If you have flooded lead acid batteries, make sure the level is maintained with distilled water. Cleaning them is also a big help!
•Motorhomers, check your chassis! — Just like with your car, check your oil, transmission fluid, steering and fluid levels. Your chassis owner’s manual will have all the specifics for your chassis.
• Lastly, always watch for leaks — If you notice water intrusion in your coach at any time, always get it fixed right away!
