How to Keep Your Motorhome in Good Shape During the Summer Months
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So you’re planning a family road trip this summer? Excellent! RV road trips make for some of the best memories and scenic holidays. As you prepare for your upcoming road trip, you might be making a motorhome repair checklist to bring with you on the road. Having a motorhome repair checklist will help you avoid potential
RV trouble that could arise from not properly maintaining your vehicle.
Here are so repair and maintenance tips in order to ensure that your RV is in good shape for your upcoming summer holiday.
8 things to include on your motorhome repair checklist
1. Tires & Air Pressure Frequently
Neglecting to maintain proper air pressure could result in a blown out tire and a day or two of lost time. RVs are extremely heavy vehicles and can wear out their tires relatively quickly if they aren’t properly maintained and adequately filled. You should have a regular air pressure checking date periodically to ensure that your tires are maintaining the recommended amount of air at all times.
You should also be examining the condition of your tires. Many RV tires suffer rapid wear and tear due to road conditions and hours each day spent driving. You should be covering your tires while parked to minimize sun damage and prolong the life of your tires.
2. Air Conditioner & Ventilation Filters
Throughout the duration of your road trip, you should be checking the ventilation filters in your RV. Old air conditioner and ventilation filters can affect the air quality inside your RV and irritate dust allergies.
You should be cleaning and replacing filters that may need it prior to your trip as well as checking the filters midway through. This is especially important if you are driving through the desert or dusty terrain.
Check your ventilation systems to ensure proper air circulation as this will minimize the possibility of your RV developing a moisture problem that could lead to mold growth.
3. Brake Pads
Ascending steep, winding mountain roads can take a toll on your brake pads. You should always begin each road trip with a thorough inspection of your brake pads, to assess the condition and whether they are in need of being replaced or not.
Your brakes will be used frequently during the course of your road trip so you want to make sure that the pads are in top-notch condition. Your motorhome is a very heavy vehicle and so needs fully functional brake pads in order to be safe while on the road.
4. Headlights & Taillights
You never know when a headlight or taillight may decide to quit working. Always check prior to embarking on your road trip to ensure that all lights are working properly. You will want to check your headlights and taillights frequently throughout the duration of your trip and replace any dead bulbs immediately.
Lights on your RV are essential for road safety and communicating with other vehicles on the road.
5. Top Off Fluids Regularly
You do not want to run your RV dry, doing so can lead to lasting damage and money spent making costly repairs. Make a regular habit of topping off all fluids regular and checking in between top-offs to ensure that your motorhome isn’t leaking any fluids.
You should be checking oil, coolant, radiator, and transmission fluid on a regular basis. Doing so will keep your RV running smoothly throughout your summer road trip and is one of the simplest ways to maintain your RV and keep it road safe.
6. Bring A Caulking Gun & Sealant Along
Developing a leak or broken seal during your summer holiday can lead to moisture issues and mold growth in your RV.
To avoid developing a mold issue, our motorhome maintenance experts recommend traveling with a can of sealant and a caulking gun. This will ensure that you are able to catch and repair any broken seals early on before they become a problem.
Damaged or broken seals are common occurrences in motorhomes and are easy to repair if dealt with right away.
7. Check Smoke & CO Detectors
Change any smoke and CO detector batteries at the start of your summer holiday. Broken or dead smoke and CO detectors can be extremely dangerous. You want to make sure that all your batteries in your detectors are fresh. Replace smoke and CO2 detectors often.
Having functional smoke and CO detectors is an issue of RV safety and should always be scrutinized carefully before the start of any RV trip.
8. Use Furniture Covers & Window Shades
As a motorhome owner, you should invest in some quality furniture covers and window shades. These will protect your RV furniture from sun damage and will ensure maximum longevity and functionality for your RVs interior.
Another tip for protecting your RV furniture from sun damage is to avoid parking in direct sunlight. Sunlight and heat can warp your furniture and even cause fabric splitting which can be difficult to repair. You should always have window shades down and furniture covers in use if you are driving through direct sunlight or an especially hot day.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this motorhome repair checklist has given you an idea of the general upkeep you need to be doing in order to keep your RV in top-notch condition for your upcoming summer holiday. This may also aid you in deciding whether or not it is time for a motorhome upgrade or if your RV is in need of serious repairs or renovation.
Preparing your RV for an upcoming family road trip can feel like a lot of work at the time, but it will ensure that your RV is running properly and that your summer road trip is enjoyable for everyone!
Contact us today for more information.
