Care & Maintenance of Your RV
Keeping your RV in good shape, whether it is a motorhome or caravan, extends its life by many years and retains more of its value.
RV Care & Maintenance
Care & maintenance of your recreational vehicle is an important step in maintaining the safety, dependability and appearance, both interior and exterior, of the unit. Keep good records of all maintenance performed as these may be necessary for warranty information or may assist in possible repairs needed. Operational usage and climates may affect the frequency of maintenance needed on certain components. Preventative maintenance is important to the life and enjoyment of any recreational vehicle as many problems can be caught before they occur. The instructions and recommendations located within should be read thoroughly, as failure to perform necessary to preventative maintenance may limit or void all or part of a specific warranty.
Regularly wash the exterior of your RV, and this includes the roof periodically. Any finish will deteriorate over time and exposure to extreme sunlight, pollutants, and excessive moisture can cause dulling, fading and yellowing. Regular washing and periodic waxing will help maintain the glossy new look. When washing use a mild automotive wash solution, being sure to rinse off any loose debris first. If possible when storing your RV store it under cover or buy a cover for it.
Inspect the roof at least every 90 days, paying particular attention to the seams where the areas of fiberglass are joined. Carefully inspect the sealant around any vents, skylights, air conditioners etc. Exposure to the elements will cause sealants to deteriorate over time and variations in climate and weather may accelerate deterioration. Inspection and periodic resealing is essential as preventative maintenance. If cracks or shrinkage is noticed, immediately follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for repair or resealing. Special sealants are used due to the composition of the roofing material. For the appropriate sealant, please see your dealer.
The seals and adhesives used perform an important job, keeping out an RV enemy – water. Close inspection and routine maintenance are crucial to the longevity of the motorhome. While many types are used, none have a pre-set lifetime, as exposure to the elements and regional variances of climate can accelerate any sealants deterioration. Therefore, every six months, inspections of all seals is recommended and a quick inspection prior to every trip will help reduce potential problems down the road. When inspecting, check for cracks, voids, shrinkage, or any sign of deterioration. If any of these signs are noticed, replace the sealant if necessary. It is important to use the same kind of sealant that was previously used with seals, check the sealant around the windows at least once every six months.
The tyres should be checked before starting out on any trip. Check them regularly and keep inflated to recommended pressures. The recommended tyre pressure is on the side of the tyre or in the owner’s manual. Carry a tyre gauge. A tyre gauge is a very inexpensive and valuable tool for checking tyre inflation. Rotate the tyres at least once every10,000 km’s. Do not attempt to service, repair, or work on any axle, brake, or wheel system unless you have appropriate skills and knowledge. Lack of proper training, failure to follow procedures or use of tools and safety equipment could result in property damage, serious injury or loss of life.
When returning home after a trip away you should plug your RV into 240V to give the batteries a good charge to ensure they are fully charged. When storing your RV, house batteries should be fully charged before storage.
Ensure the toilet cassette is emptied regularly, wash thoroughly and rinse out with fresh water. Clean the toilet compartment using a non-abrasive all purpose toilet cleaner and rinse well with fresh water.The grey or waste tank should be emptied on a regular basis. After prolonged use, smells can be a problem due to breakdown of food scraps in the tank. To help eliminate smells, it is recommended to put waste tank chemicls into the tank via the sink on a regular basis.
When Storing your RV for more then two months without use, you should run & test everything to ensure it stays in good working order for when you do want to go away in it.
ROUTINE CARE AND MAINTENANCE ARE THE KEYS TO TROUBLE FREE TOURING
