An Easy (and Imperative) Guide to Daily RV Maintenance and Inspection

RV maintenance is a crucial part of the mobile lifestyle and is of utmost importance. That small squeak or weird noise you might ignore on your daily driver could lead to a breakdown, literally in the middle of nowhere, and have you stranded and marooned on some forlorn highway in the vast open regions of the country. For anyone who has experienced any minor or major mechanical hiccup, you know it can often take longer (and cost much more) to tow and repair a RV than your common personal vehicle. Maintenance and upkeep of your rig is thus one of the most critical elements to insuring you have a safe and sound experience to keep you traveling those endless miles. While you don’t have to be an expert to know when something is wrong, a few mechanical skills and a daily checklist will do wonders for peace of mind and prevention.

Preventative and Scheduled Maintenance

Before embarking on your next great road trip, be sure that you take care of any necessary scheduled maintenance from your RV manufacturer. This information can be found in your vehicle manual and the required attention is laid out in intervals based on mileage, hours or time. These schedules should be adhered to for the consideration of your own safety and the life of your engine. The basic oil and other fluid changes need to be done on more regular intervals, while other issues only need to be addressed once a year or between long mileage markers. Following these recommendations is the first line of defense against any catastrophic mechanical issues and are mandatory for keeping any vehicle warranties valid.

Preventative maintenance is more of a basic starting place to protect against potential issues and address them before they become major problems. This is maintenance you perform before a problem exists and it can make a world of difference in identifying and correcting any concerns before you are on the road and out of reach or incapable of fixes that could have otherwise been easy. Identifying a fluid leak or cracked hose and fixing it before you travel is a much better solution than scratching your head at a campground or waiting (and hoping) for a problem not to get worse when you’re on the road. Preventative maintenance essentially includes servicing, cleaning, inspecting and adjusting your RV while it still sits in your driveway or garage.

Related Read: Top Tips For Maintaining Your RV’s Roof

Mechanical/Motor Inspection Checklist

• Check all fluids including: oil, transmission, brakes, power steering and washer fluid - Keep a dirty rag under the driver’s seat for easy access and use. Change fluids at recommended intervals but know how/when to fill if low or leaking.

• Check for leaks – Look under the RV when parked for any drips or signs of fluid on ground below. Assess and repair as needed.

• Check air filter – easy to check and replace and a clean filter will increase engine performance.

• Check coolant – Never open radiator when hot but open the cap and check before departure. Top-off, if needed, as antifreeze/coolant is essential for engine operation and to prevent overheating.

• Check hoses and clamps – Look for signs of wear. Cracks, soft spots or a brittle feel are signs they should be replaced. Make sure hoses are connected and clamps are tightened. Check radiator, heater and other crucial hoses.

• Check belts – Also look for signs of wear including cracks. Stock up and keep spare belts on board.

• Check lights – make sure all headlights, taillights, brake lights, blinkers, running lights, etc. are working. Replace bulbs if needed. Pack extra bulbs on board.

• Check windshield wipers – if wipers are worn or cracked, replace.

• Check tires – check tire pressure frequently as it can change based on temperature and elevation. Look at tire tread and make sure all are wearing evenly. Check for sidewall cracks and checking. Good tires are very important.

• Check battery – make sure terminals are clean and secure. Check water levels and state of charge.

In addition to motor maintenance RVs have more elements to consider inside and out of the coach. This is the home side of motorhome and while you can keep driving with a broken refrigerator or stove, the same preventive advice comes recommended. Fixes on this realm of your RV can generally take longer as a specialty or RV specific shop is needed to address the problem, making it even more important to take care of ahead of time.

Related Read: Top Tops for Keeping the RV AC in Tip Top Shape

Interior/Appliance Checklist

• Check auxiliary batteries - Clean and tighten terminals. Check water levels and charge

• Check generator - Fire up and make sure of proper function. Change oil and filter when required.

• Check all appliances for proper function – stove, fridge/freezer, water/plumbing.

• Check 12-volt interior lights and other accessories for proper function.

• Test air-conditioning units – replace and/or clean filters as needed.

• Check that your electrical plug-ins and hookups are fully functional and in working order.

• Check smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors and any other detectors for proper function.

Knowing that you are up-to-date with all scheduled maintenance and on top of all preventative measures is your best bet at reducing your chance for catastrophic mechanical issues and emergency problems once the wheels are moving and you are far from home. There is no way to guarantee breakdowns from happening and if you’ve spent any considerable time on the highway, you’ll know it is bound to happen even when you are on top of all maintenance.

If you are new or inexperienced with mechanical maintenance or issues, a little knowledge goes a long way in helping to diagnose or fix problems as they arise. Ask your local mechanic if you can peak over their shoulder during an inspection or small repair or watch an online tutorial on some of the above if you are unfamiliar. Your RV will encounter some sort of issue as you travel. The more you can prepare and educate yourself for the inevitable, the less time you’ll spend on the phone with AAA waiting for help.