An RV is an expensive investment costing somewhere between the price of a car and the price of a house. It is important to properly maintain an RV in order to protect the investment and increase the amount of enjoyment from the RV. Here are some RV maintenance tips that a person can use to keep their RV running well. Follow these tips and you should get years and years of enjoyment from your RV.
One of the best ways to maintain an RV is to use it. One of the worst things you can do to an RV is park it and only use it once or twice a year. Frequent use will help keep the engine and other mechanical parts working well. If an owner is unable to take the RV on trips on a frequent basis, even driving the RV around the block will help to keep the mechanical system lubricated. The owner should also inspect the RV for any problems before leaving on a trip. An inspection should include checking the oil, engine coolant and other fluid levels as well as the testing of appliances and lights. Owners should also check the seals around doors and windows for cracks or other signs of problems. After a trip, the owner should again perform an inspection of the RV. The owner should also cover the tires to prevent deterioration from the sun.
RV owners need to be certain to properly use their RV’s black tank in order to maintain the toilet system. The black tank is used by the RV to store materials from the toilet. Though no one wants to carry around material in the black tank, owners should only dump the tank when it is at least ¼ full. Dumping a tank early may result in deposits in the tank that will harden and cause problems over time. RV toilets are designed for use with toilet paper that deteriorates quickly. RV owners should only use toilet paper designated as safe for use in an RV.
When winter comes around RV owners need to take additional steps to protect their RV according to Wilder RV. Before storing for the winter, an owner should thoroughly clean the RV to remove dirt and debris. In colder climates the owner should flush out the fresh water tank and lines to prevent the lines from freezing. Air pressure can be used to push out the water in the lines or non-toxic RV antifreeze can be placed into the lines. Clean the refrigerator and store with the door open to allow it to completely dry. Removing the battery or batteries and storing them in a climate controlled area will prevent damage from exposure to cold temperatures.