RV Maintenance Checkup: Ensuring Your Vehicle is Ready for Spring

It’s that time again; Time for spring break, spring cleaning, and for RVers, spring checkup. Most of us know spring is a time to de-winterize the rigs and get them road-worthy. But, what does that actually consist of? What steps or procedures are required to ensure an RV is ready to get the wheels rolling? If you need a refresher course on how to ensure your rig is ready for spring, keep reading for all the details! This article will break down the 411 on all things related to maintenance checks and de-winterizing motorhomes and travel trailers. 

First Things First

Whether stored inside a garage, storage unit or an RV carport, the first thing to do is complete a preventive maintenance check. This entails checking for damage that has just begun to show. For instance, checking for leaks. Water leaks can be common after a long sitting spell, and checking the rig front to back is a good first step. 

Checking hoses and roof openings (AC units, fans and sewer vents) for leaky seals and seams is quite important. Ensure the weather stripping isn’t peeling or cracking.  Catching a mild problem such as a faulty seal can prevent big headaches down the road. Removing and replacing worn out seals should be done if they are unable to be repaired or worn out. This is also something that should be done twice a year; spring and fall. 

It’s also important to check side vents, doors, and windows for this issue as well. If replacing one or two is required, be sure to use only RV-rated sealants as standard household strength won’t hold up long due to excessive travel and/or the way UV rays affect it. 

A Bit of Elbow Grease

Spring prep wouldn’t be complete without a bit of actual spring cleaning. Take a bit of time to completely clean the inside and outside of the windshield and all windows. Afterward, give the RV or trailer a bath and follow that with an even coat of RV wax. 

One last place to check and clean is the awning. If you aren’t able to wash it and let it air dry at the time of doing the maintenance check, brushing off any built-up debris and/or grime is a start. This buildup can cause corrosion or rust and interfere with the sealing. Cleaning and lubricating the rails in the spring and the fall will help slow down the need of replacement parts. 

Examine Tires and Brakes

There are some important steps to check when it comes to checking out the soundness and condition of the brakes and tires. For tires, checking the tire tread depth, sidewall condition, and interior and exterior wear and tear of the tire.

 Tires should be replaced when the tread becomes less than 2/32nds of an inch. Of interest, some RVers consider the minimum depth before replacing to be 4/32nds. Measuring the tire tread can be done easily with a tire tread depth gauge. 

When viewing the sidewalls, be eyeful for bulges, gouges or cracks. Cracks are likely if the RV’s tires have been sitting outside with no cover, as the sun isn’t kind to tires. Some sure signs of needing to replace the RV’s or trailer’s tires is when you can see large bulges, deep gouges or large cracks.  

Another tool that is needed during the tire inspection is the tire pressure gauge. Be sure to check the air pressure in the spare along with the tires currently in operation. If the air pressure is lower than recommended in the owner’s manual, reinflate the tires to the suggested pounds. 

If new tires haven’t been purchased recently, spring maintenance can also lead to some spring purchases, in the form of new RV tires. This is more important if a year’s worth of travel is already planned. To go on long-distance trips with new tires should ensure that there’s one less potential issue to deal with out on the open road. 

Battery Checks

Before heading out on the year’s first trip, ensuring the battery is fully charged and free of corrosion is a must. During each month of being stored during the off-season, the battery drains a bit of power. With a voltmeter, check the charge on your batteries. To avoid a false reading, be sure to unhook the RV from any electrical connection. Upon checking, if the reading is close to 12.7 volts, that shows a fully charged battery. If the reading is 12 volts or lower, charging the battery is suggested prior to heading out on an adventurous road trip. 

Next, check the water levels and if needed, add distilled water until the correct level is reached. Take note that this step should be completed prior to charging the battery, as you want to ensure the plates stay covered. Upon reinstalling the battery, double check to make sure the battery is securely connected. 

Miscellaneous RV Spring Topics

Pay a bit of attention to outside components, such as missing or damaged light covers. For turn signals, flashers, etc. checking both interior lights as well as exterior is in order. 

Fluids should be check and topped off as well: the engine oil, windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, power steering, coolant and transmission fluids. 

Generators should be inspected for damage, followed by checking the oil level. Start it up and let it run for a few hours if it set dormant over the stored months. Check to ensure all gauges display the correct reading. Make sure the lights are properly working and check the inspection sticker to ensure its up to date. 

Some other important steps include checking for leaks within the plumbing, sanitizing the water system, and ensure appliances are working properly and that they remain hooked up completely and correctly. 

Other Systems to be Checked

Ensure the freshwater system is properly operating and check the city water hook-up as well as the water pump. Check all valves, outside shower, toilet and faucets to make sure they are in working order. Flush and then refill the freshwater tank. This should be done at least one time per year as a way to check for leaks in the upper portion of the tank, along with the fill hose or vent tube. 

Some Interior Checks and Measures

While this is definitely a must for rigs that have been unused for a few months, all RVs can use a good airing out. Let the windows and roof vents stay open for a bit and check for proper working condition while opening. 

Clean the cabinets, windowsills and tops of appliances. Vacuum inside the cabinets, carpets and the sleeping areas. If bedding and towels were stored within the rig, run them through the laundry. 

Ensure the first-aid kit is fully stocked, flashlights are fully charged or with fresh batteries, and ensure the fire extinguisher is operational. 

Furthermore, check the other alarms, such as the LP detector, carbon monoxide detector, and smoke alarm(s). 

Ensure Car Tow is Operational

Check out all the connections and welds for any cracks or damage. Ensure the safety chains are under the coupling and hooked. Inspect hitch pieces for damage, rust or broken sections. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, they say. Inspecting and ensuring the tow hitch is sound and secure will help prevent being stranded with a broken hitch in the future. 

Odd and Ends Check List

• Check insurance policies and make sure they are up to date. 
• While perusing the exterior of your rig, it is worth noting that a quick glance at your license plate tabs is a necessity. Ensuring the plate tabs are current and legal is a step some might easily forget to check.  Cleaning any dirt or grime from the license plate to ensure easy visibility is also recommended. If traveling with a tow car, consider having an extra set of keys in the RV glovebox in case the original set being lost out on the road. A few more tips include:

• – Ensure the ladder is secured properly to the roof
• – Change oil filters, air conditioning and heating system filters. 
• – Do a quick check of the door lock system
• – Prior to hitting the open road, visit your mechanic to receive a complete pre-trip inspection report. 
• – Keep a running tab of when replacements and checks occur, ensuring work stays on track in the future. 

When spring fever hits, getting the RV out of storage and road-worthy can be an exciting time. Once reservations to that perfect RV destination have been made and trips are mapped out, a bit of hard work is at hand. But, by taking these preventative measures, the year of travel should be smooth sailing.