Most RVs have been stored during the winter months, but now it’s time to conduct a vehicle checkup to make sure your first trip of the season goes smoothly. There are plenty of simple, practical tips you can find online. However, you shouldn’t forget about the helpful businesses out there like your local awning companies and tire shops who want to help ensure your recreational vehicle is ready for fun on the road.
Getting Road Ready
It should only take a few hours to make sure your RV is ready for the road. Choose a day when the weather is predicted to be good as a lot of the checking involves checking the exterior of the RV and driving it around.
Shade and Running Water
Look at your awning by extending it fully and inspecting for holes, mildew, and other forms of damage. Check the arms and connections for rust and loosening, then tighten and lubricate them as necessary. Always make sure your awning is completely dry before retracting. Small tears or holes can be fixed with awning repair tape, but bigger ones will likely mean replacing your awning. If that’s the case, contact or visit your local retractable patio awning shops.
If you properly winterized your RV, the next part of the checkup should be simply making sure there are no leaks or broken pipes from the time your RV was stored. To check for leaks, put water in the holding tank and run it through each faucet, sink, toilet, tub, and shower. Next, be sure your gray water and black water tanks are closed, and check under the RV for leaks in both the fill pipes and the holding tanks outside and under sinks and around toilets inside the RV.
Safety First
According to major safety reports, checking the tires for proper air pressure is one of the most important measures you must take to ensure a safe trip. The maximum rating is usually stamped on the tire, but check your owner’s manual and know the loaded weight of your RV to help you to see the optimum tire pressure. Make sure your lug nuts are tight with a lug wrench. You can also take your RV to your local tire shop and have professionals check the tires and brakes and repack the bearings which—according to Camping World—need to be done about once a year or every 10,000 miles, depending on your usage.
If you have a pull trailer, hook up your vehicle to the trailer and check the running lights, brake lights, and turn signals. With a motor home, simply turn on the key and check the lights.
Have your propane tanks filled and hire a professional to check the tubes properly for leaks. After having the tanks inspected and filled, hook them up so you can check the stove, oven, heater, and any other appliances that work with propane.
Electricity For Comfort and Entertainment
Hook your RV up to an electrical source to check the refrigerator. If you have a three-way refrigerator, be sure to check it by battery and propane in addition to the electrical hookup. Check your air conditioner, interior lights, hot water heater, any electric or manual slide outs, and leveling jacks to make sure they are all functioning properly.
Check your generator for flaws as well as any electronics and accessories that may be malfunctioning. As needed, any non-working television or other entertainment appliance must be repaired or replaced.
Get Ready To Roll and Meet New Friends
Investing a little time, effort, and money in maintenance now will make sure your RV season is filled with fun trips and great memories. Remember that if you encounter any problems on the road, there are lots of other RV enthusiasts out there who are willing to share their knowledge and time to help you.