A recreational vehicle, or RV, is a popular transportation choice for travelers due to its convenience and comfort. There is a surge of RVs on the road, particularly in the summer months, as these motor vehicles emerge from RV storage over winter and spring. We’re sure you have grand plans for your motorhome shortly, but before you consider driving your RV, we recommend conducting pre-trip maintenance. This will ensure it will operate smoothly, and your trip will go unhindered by avoidable breakages and inconveniences.
However, with so many pre-trip maintenance tips, it can be quite overwhelming to determine which are worth following each time. That’s where we come in. In this blog, our expert storage team at I-10 RV Storage has provided a complete guide to pre-trip maintenance for your RV to keep you safe while on the road.
Pre-maintenance is an essential part of ensuring RV safety. If you don’t conduct this maintenance, you may find yourself in trouble along the way and could potentially risk your life and the lives of others. When conducting your pre-maintenance, consider the tips listed below.
Due to the weight of RVs, tire blowouts are a common trend. However, you can minimize the likelihood of a tire blowout through detailed inspections and maintenance. When inspecting your tires, ensure to check the spare tire as well. During your inspection, you should check the overall condition, tire pressure, and tread depth. We recommend using the manufacturer’s recommendations for the correct tire pressure and replacing any tires showing signs of extreme wear and tear.
A maintenance professional should check the brake pads and vernier calipers to ensure they are in good working order. If they are not, you can replace them without risking your safety by driving an RV with worn brake pads or discs. However, you can visually check your brake fluid and other fluid levels before a trip to ensure they are where they should be.
The lights and signals on your vehicle are just as essential to check when conducting pre-trip maintenance on your motorhome. It’s no secret that faulty headlights cause many accidents. Ideally, you will want to get an extra person to help you with these checks to make things easy, but they can be done solo as well.
If you happen to have an extra person helping you, you will sit in the driver’s seat while the other stands in line to see the lights of your RV. Then, you will test each set of lights, from the head and tail lights to the hazards and turn signals. If you are testing it solo, you can use your phone to record while you test your lights. You just need to alternate between the front and back of your RV. Should you discover that any lights are not working, you must replace them before venturing out.
The smooth operation and transmission of your RV engine are crucial for many reasons. Your engine and transmission are essential in long-distance travel and traversing different terrains. Not to mention that if you do not catch any problems early, it could lead to a breakdown and an expensive fix you weren’t prepared for.
To start your pre-trip examination, you will need to check the fluids. The fluid checks involve inspecting the coolant levels, engine oil, and transmission fluid. If any seem to need it, you must top them up. Secondly, you will also check for oil or fluid leaks. You should see evidence of this on the engine bay and ground.
Next, to examine the battery and ensure the connections are secure and tight, all the terminals should be cleaned of dirt, debris, and dust. Then, you can inspect the belts and hoses for wear, loose fitting, or cracks. If you see any of these problems, you must replace them.
The last step is to start your engine and test its functionality. This will require you to shift gears and listen for unusual noises. A professional will attend to any problems.
A common mistake for most RVers is forgetting to check the batteries during maintenance checks. Trust us, nothing is worse than finding your RV battery has died in the middle of your trip. An RV’s average battery’s life cycle is usually between 3 and 5 years, and it should be fully charged all the time.
It is important to note that most motorhomes have two separate batteries. One is used to start the engine, and the other is used for appliance use when the vehicle is parked. If you can start the RV without any problems, then your battery is likely still good.
You will also need to check for corrosion. For your safety, ensure that you wear rubber gloves and safety glasses when conducting this check. This corrosion check will require checking the battery terminals for blue or pink crystals. You will then need to use a baking soda and water concoction and a wire brush to clean the crystals off.
You should then run through all electrical appliances, such as the heating systems, 12V outlets, air conditioning, alternator, and fridge, to ensure they are all operational.
This check will require you to examine the RV for dry rot, loose parts, or chipping paint, as well as ensure that the fenders and wheel wells are sturdy and connected. While you go through your RV, double-check that your spare tire holder is secured and sturdy.
Any rust you see should also be addressed. Do not hesitate to contact a professional if something seems off and may need extensive work to repair.
Checking that your safety equipment is functional is a no-brainer. If it is not functioning correctly, you could put yourself in extreme danger. First, ensure that the smoke and CO2 detectors are working by pressing their respective test buttons. When pressing, you should hear a beep sound.
Then, inspect your windows and doors to ensure they open smoothly if you need to make an emergency exit. You should also ensure that your fire extinguishers are up-to-date and easily accessible.
Your emergency kit should always be ready for any situation that may arise. Your RV first aid kit should be fully stocked with a healthcare manual, bandages, medications, and antiseptics. If you are running low on any of these or they have expired, you must replace them as soon as possible.
Then, essential tools such as duct tape, fuses, a spare tire, and other essentials should be included in your kit, as you never know when an emergency fix may require them. You should also keep stock of flashlights, roadside flares, and road triangles on hand.
Additionally, you should keep copies of emergency information, registration details, and insurance information on hand. This is especially useful if you are ever in an accident. Moreover, you must keep multiple navigational aids and update your RV pantry and cupboards with food, blankets, and additional clothing, but be careful not to overpack.
There is always hope that every trip you take will have few to no problems, but sometimes, they are inevitable. So, what can you do if you notice a maintenance issue during your RV trip?
Well, we’ve come up with a list that answers that. This is a list of what you can do in some of the most common situations where RV owners find themselves in:
When you apply regular maintenance and checks to your RV before a trip, you increase your safety and the safety of others on the road. Once you have done your maintenance, you can rest assured that your RV adventure will go smoothly and have minimal hiccups.
Above all, though, maintenance starts with safe and secure RV storage with companies like I10 RV. We will ensure your RV has a covered storage environment to reduce the likelihood of needing extensive maintenance. You can contact us here to learn more about our amenities and how we will keep your motorhome safe so that it requires minimal maintenance after storage.
