Spring isn’t far off, which suggests it’s time to consider getting your RV prepared for the upcoming tenting season. Before you hit the freeway, you’ll have to de-winterize your unit and carry out some RV spring upkeep. RVT has compiled a number of suggestions that can assist you get your journey trailer, diesel pusher, toy hauler, or different RV prepared in your summer season adventures!
1) Clean and Inspect the Exterior of Your RV
Before you are taking your unit on the street, look at your home windows, physique, roof, and slide-out seams for indicators of damage or water harm—keep in mind to look inside and outside—and apply new seals if wanted. Inspect your hitch for harm and change it if crucial. Wash the outside of your unit with an RV-appropriate cleaner to freshen it up and get it street prepared.
2) Examine Tires and Wheel Bearings
If you aren’t a year-round camper, your RV’s tires are sitting nonetheless for months at a time. Direct daylight and winter climate can harm the rubber over time, resulting in dry rot. Always examine your tires earlier than heading out; in the event you see small cracks, change the tires. RV tires have a shelf lifetime of round 5 to seven years. Checking your tire strain can also be vital. Consult your producer’s information for the perfect tire strain. For essentially the most correct studying, verify the strain when the tires are chilly.
3) Check Your Cooling System and Engine
Check all fluid ranges in your motorhome or tow automobile, make sure that all lights and controls are operational, and have your cooling system serviced earlier than hitting the street. Replace or restore what’s crucial. Keep in thoughts, summer season warmth may cause pressure in your engine, particularly in the event you’re touring in areas with a whole lot of elevation modifications, so it’s vital that your cooling system is in prime situation.
Pro tip: dashing to get to your vacation spot wastes fuel and may overheat your engine, so take it simple on the journey.
4) Recertify Your Propane Tanks And Check Gas-Fired Appliances
Propane tanks must be recertified each ten years. If yours has expired, you’ll want to interchange it. Once you’ve checked and reinstalled your propane tanks, it’s time to verify your gas-fired home equipment by opening the fuel line and turning them on. Make certain your sizzling water tank is full earlier than you take a look at it. If any of your propane home equipment aren’t working, have them inspected by a licensed RV service division. Any ignition issues or propane leaks ought to be dealt with by professionals.
5) Test Your Batteries
Check your engine and accent batteries earlier than you head out on the street. Make certain the connections are tight and batteries have been utterly charged. If it is advisable to change any, keep away from combining previous and new batteries.
6) Flush Your Water Lines
After winterizing with RV antifreeze, you’ll have to flush out the system within the spring. Turn on the water pump and open all water taps, inside and outside. Let them run for a couple of minutes to eliminate any antifreeze. At the identical time, verify for any leaks within the water system. After flushing, the water ought to style clear and contemporary. If it doesn’t, strive placing some baking soda into the drains and flush once more till the water tastes clear.
7) Clean and Examine the Interior of Your RV
Carefully undergo the inside of your RV and search for proof of water harm, rodent exercise, or bugs, and make repairs, if wanted. Turn on any non gas-fired home equipment to verify they’re working. Air out your unit and clear the within prime to backside, together with followers, home windows and screens.
8) Make Sure All Safety Equipment is Working
Check your hearth extinguisher, smoke detector, and carbon monoxide detector to make sure all are in correct working order. Fire extinguishers sometimes final about fifteen years. If the deal with is cracked or wobbly, change the extinguisher. If you may have an older, new-to-you unit and also you don’t know when it was final changed, take into account getting a contemporary one. Now can also be a superb time to refresh your first help provides.
We hope the following pointers are useful as you put together for the brand new tenting season. If you’re uncomfortable performing upkeep in your RV your self, an RV service supplier close to you’ll be completely satisfied to assist. Keep in thoughts, some upkeep—corresponding to repairing gas-fired home equipment—ought to solely be achieved by an expert. Happy tenting!
If you’re on the lookout for a brand new or used RV for the upcoming season, take a look at the newest items obtainable on RVT.com.
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