Caring For Your Motorhome

June 5th, 2014 - Filed under General

Everyone dreams of hitting the open road, the freedom to go anywhere you please in your own motor home and at the end of the day pulling into a camp ground to snuggle down in a warm bed in your home away from home.

Caring for your motor home.

Yes, owning a motor home can be exhilarating, but what people don’t realize is there is a lot of work and maintenance involved, including everyday maintenance, getting your motor home ready for the fun summer ahead, and putting it away for the winter. This article will help clear up all the confusion of exactly what should be done, by explaining how to care for your motor home.

How To Care For Your Motorhome

Maintenance of your RV should not be taken lightly. Everything on your RV will need some kind of care and maintenance over time.

According to the website www.travel-trailer-rvcamping.com,  motorhome care starts with everyday maintenance. Keeping it washed with a mild detergent is the first step. Road grime and dust will cover the camper after a long trip, and getting this off the exterior of your camper will preserve the look and lessen the damage from the grime.

Use a soft bristle brush with a handle to scrub with. The roof is safe to stand on, just be careful not to fall off! While you are up there, scrub the air conditioner cover (it’s used to being rained on so the water won’t damage it). Rinse it thoroughly to remove all the soap solution.

After washing the RV, you need to check the screens to make sure they are not torn or rotted. If they are, you’ll need to make the necessary repairs or pesky critters can get inside and terrorize you and the family. Proper care of your screens will ensure no night time assaults from dive bombing mosquitoes!

After you get your RV cleaned up, let it dry and put a coat of polish on it just like you do your car.

It will help protect it from dirt and debris build up. It will also make washing it next time much easier.

So now we’re all set to hit the road, right? Not even close!

Another part of caring for your RV is keeping a check on all of your fluid levels. This includes the LP gas tanks, gray water tanks, black water tanks and battery acid level.

Check your fire extinguisher charge often. Your LP Gas Leak Detector will need to be checked every three months. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide batteries should be checked every three months.

Tires need to be inspected before loading up for a trip. Make any necessary repairs or replacements before you load your camper.

Caring for your RV includes the tires and the wear on them. Keep a watch on your tire pressure. Your tires determine the safety of your trip. Don’t overload your trailer! Your anti-sway bar needs to be checked for correct use.

Now that the tires are good to go, RV tire covers should be considered. They are wonderful for protecting from sun damage, rotting and cracking. They should be a necessary investment for caring for your RV.

Don’t look away yet, there’s more that needs checking!

The hitch and towing equipment need to be checked and greased as needed. It is a good idea to keep some trailer ball grease on hand. It can be used on any part of the hitch EXCEPT the sway control friction pads.

Next, check the lights and make sure they have good working bulbs in them. It’s a good idea to do a light check before every trip once you plug in your power cable to your towing vehicle.

More On Caring for Your RV

Once the initial inspection has been done, other areas of the motorhome need your attention. You need to inspect the roof for damages caused by low hanging limbs or sun damage. While you are on top, check your A/C cover to be sure it is intact. Those vents also need to be checked for cracks.

Something that may be overlooked is the awning. It needs to be rolled out and inspected for tears or frayed areas. Make sure the awning is dry and leaf free before rolling it up.

If you have a slide out, check the gasket around the opening for tears or debris as these can cause water leaks. Replace or repair as needed. Actually, any and all gaskets are part of caring for your RV and are very important. Without good seals, you will have leaks.

Check door hinges to be sure they are tight when closing them. If the lock catch is not tight, the doors will open when traveling.

Next you should check the light bulbs in the motorhome, especially the overhead lights and those in appliances. You should also keep a few on hand for emergencies.

The structural seam sealer is another area of concern. It does have a tendency to shrink and crack with age. This will create water leaks and will need to be repaired.

Other maintenance will include checking the brake pads on your travel trailer at least once a year and replacing them as needed. Also be sure to check the chains and cable links for frays or cracks. Replace any damaged ones immediately.

Be sure to empty the fresh water tank and wash out all hoses used for black water disposal. Check your holding tank supplies. Make sure you have plenty of holding tank deodorizer and all switches are off.

Now is a good time to check all exterior light coverings. Make sure the covers are not broken from road debris. Always check your towing vehicle lights before leaving on any trip. Make sure the tail lights and brake lights work, also.

The last step is to block the wheels when parked to keep the motorhome from rolling. With a little RV care and maintenance, your travel trailer will last you a long time. I hope you found this article useful. Happy camping!