Regular RV maintenance is crucial for extending the life of your vehicle and ensuring safe, enjoyable travels. Many RV owners overlook the importance of routine upkeep, which can lead to costly repairs and inconvenience down the road. In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through a detailed RV maintenance checklist, including monthly, seasonal, and yearly tasks that will keep your vehicle running smoothly.
Table of Contents
- Monthly RV Maintenance Tasks
- Seasonal RV Maintenance Tasks
- Yearly RV Maintenance Tasks
- Enhancing Your RV Living Experience
- Conclusion
Monthly RV Maintenance Tasks
Check Engine Fluids
Routine checks on engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluid are essential. Top them up or replace them as needed to ensure your engine runs smoothly and efficiently.
Battery Maintenance
Regularly clean the battery terminals to prevent corrosion. Ensure the battery is fully charged and top off water levels if you’re using a lead-acid battery. This avoids unexpected power failures. Keep a portable jump starter on hand in case of a dead battery.
We have tried and tested the Noco Genius UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter and recommend it highly. It gets up to 20 jump starts in a single charge.
Tire Pressure and Tread
Inspect the tire tread for signs of uneven wear, bulges, or bald spots. The penny test is a tried and true method for gauging tire wear.
Check your tire pressure monthly and adjust it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to improve fuel efficiency and reduce tire wear. Flat tires happen, but having a portable tire inflator and a can of tire sealant can provide a quick fix until you can reach a professional repair service. This tool is especially valuable in remote areas where help could be hours away.
Get a decent quality inflator, as the cheaper models will break quickly. The Bullseye Pro Tire Inflator efficiently inflates tires with a 150 PSI maximum, which is great for higher-PSI trailer tires. It also doubles as a tire pressure gauge and will stop inflating when the set tire pressure is achieved.
Brake Check
Listen for any unusual noises and check for responsiveness. Before you hit the road, always make sure to test your brake controller is connected to your travel trailer brakes and that they are functioning.
If your truck doesn’t have a brake controller installed, we recommend the portable CURT Echo Mobile Trailer Brake Controller. It connects to an app on your phone for easy adjusting and monitoring of your trailer brakes, and you can take it with you and connect it to other trucks and trailers if needed.
Appliance Checks
Test all onboard appliances including the HVAC system, refrigerator, and cooking appliances to ensure they are operating correctly. Clean or replace filters to maintain efficiency.
Here are some tips we’ve learned:
- A/C: If your A/C goes out or is otherwise acting strange, try resetting the thermostat. You may have to find the manual or do some searching on the internet to find out how.
- Refrigerator: If your refrigerator goes out, check the fuse first before calling in an RV mechanic. If it is loose, push it in tight. If that doesn’t work, try a new fuse, even if the old one looks ok. They look like this:
- Oven: We tried cooking a frozen pizza our first time using the RV oven and noticed it didn’t maintain consistent heat, fluctuating about 50 degrees either way. We spent too much time monitoring and adjusting the propane burner flame. After looking at some forums, it was hard to say if we had a faulty unit, because this is such a common problem.
- Rather than spending hundreds of dollars in a repair or replacement for an oven we really didn’t want to use, we took that money and instead invested it in a Ninja Combi All-in-One Multicooker Oven and Air Fryer. It has more features than the RV oven and a little more volume. We use it almost daily.
Safety Equipment
Regularly test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Check that fire extinguishers are accessible, fully charged, and within their expiry date. We thought we would be better safe than sorry with the carbon monoxide testing and bought and use two different models.
Seasonal RV Maintenance Tasks
Seal Inspection and Care:
Inspect all seals on windows, doors, and slide-outs. In addition to rain, the A/C drains water so make sure to follow the water path on the roof and check that the water drains where it should.
Tip:
We had a leak over our door and found out it was a tiny gap in the gutter, which instead of being one long piece of metal was actually two fitted together. We tried caulking the gap but it never had enough time to dry before rain or other water got into it.
We then tried Flex Seal spray and found it was much easier to apply, works better, and dries more quickly. Buy the clear spray so you don’t have to worry about messes.
Awning Maintenance
Clean the awning fabric and ensure the retracting mechanism is lubricated and functioning smoothly. Inspect for any tears or damage, and repair them to avoid further deterioration.
Tip: When extending your awning, make sure there isn’t an obstacle like a tree or large bush with pokey branches that can rip a hole in it. We all know to check for room for our slides but often forget to check for our awnings.
Roof and Undercarriage
Remove debris and clean the roof with appropriate cleaners. Inspect for any signs of damage or leaks and apply sealant if needed. Check the undercarriage for rust or damage, particularly if you travel on salted roads during winter.
Yearly RV Maintenance Tasks
Water System Antifreeze
Before winter storage, drain all water from the pipes, tanks, and water heater. Once drained, pump non-toxic RV antifreeze through the system to prevent any remaining water from freezing and causing damage. Your RV manual should have more details on how to winterize your RV. Check that first before YouTube or Google in case your rig has special needs.
Brake Servicing
Adjust your brakes to make sure the brake pads are snug against the rotor (but not too snug). This is an important safety check to make sure your brakes are in good working order. If the wheel spins freely, you will need to adjust the pads to make closer contact. Yes, this is a DIY check you can do yourself. You only need a jack, screwdriver, and possibly some WD-40 to loosen up stuck brakes.
There are several RV-specific YouTube videos demonstrating how to do this, but we found this general trailer brake adjusting video to be the most explanatory.
Grease Wheel Bearings
You will need a grease gun and multipurpose, red grease that you can find at any local hardware store. The grease gun should come with a universal adaptor that will attach to your fitting, so there should be no need to buy anything extra. This YouTube video was pretty helpful.
We’ve been told that spinning the wheel helps distribute the grease but that requires jacking up the wheel, which is a lot of extra work. After doing more research, we’ve determined the extra benefit is minimal and not worth the effort, so feel free to leave your tires on the ground.
Expiry and Efficiency Checks
Replace all batteries in safety devices, check fire extinguishers, and update any safety gear that has expired or is nearing the end of its useful life.
In-Depth Engine and Generator Service
Schedule an annual service with a qualified technician to inspect the engine and generator. This can help identify issues before they require costly repairs and ensure your RV is ready for the season. They may also catch something you missed in your yearly checks.
Enhancing Your RV Living Experience
Maintaining your RV is about more than just upkeep; it’s about enhancing your overall living experience. You will also want to maximize comfort, convenience, and community connection.
Maintenance and Storage Tips
Creating an inviting living space is crucial. Regularly clean, declutter, and optimize your storage to keep your living space pleasant and manageable. Invest in storage solutions that not only save space but also enhance the aesthetics of your interior. Check out our guide to RV storage ideas for your interior.
Community Engagement
The RV lifestyle is enriched by the community. Participate in RV forums like iRV2 or local RV clubs to share experiences and learn from others. Attending RV shows and meetups can also expand your network and introduce you to new ideas and modifications that other enthusiasts have found useful. Engaging with the community is not just about solving issues; it’s about sharing stories, tips, and camaraderie that can make RVing a more enjoyable and enriching experience.
Conclusion
Adhering to this comprehensive RV maintenance checklist ensures that your vehicle remains a reliable and safe home away from home. When in doubt, check your manual. Regular maintenance not only extends the life of your RV but also enhances your travel experiences, allowing you to explore freely and live fully without the hassle of unexpected repairs. Join the conversation at Bananomad and continue your journey in the company of like-minded adventurers, where every maintenance task is a step toward greater freedom on the road. Next, check out our RV essentials list of must-have items to bring and ensure you’re well-equipped for whatever the road brings your way.
Leave a Reply