Service Tips – Keep Your RV/Travel Trailer in Top Condition!
Regular preventative maintenance is crucial to the longevity of your RV. Keeping your unit in top condition and replacing or repairing parts as needed will help ensure that you can use your RV or travel trailer for many years and spend your vacation in it having fun – not worrying about a leaking roof or worn tires. We’ve provided some of the most important RV service and maintenance tasks you’ll want to perform before hitting the road, so make sure you put them on your to-do list.
1. Roofs
We recommend checking the roofs at least once every 90 days, and generally, manufacturers require this to be performed more frequently when the camper is under warranty, or your warranty is null and void. Whether your RV moves or is parked permanently, the elements break down the sealants, making them less effective to keep water out. The moving and shifting, storms like hail and large winds, tree branches, etc., all factor into the lifespan of the rubber and seals. The sealants usually last around 3-5 years before needing to be resealed but this can happen much sooner depending on the elements. That’s why we recommend checking the sealants every 90 days as part of your regular RV service schedule.
2. Seals and Seams
Keep very close tabs on the external seals and seams around things such as moldings, windows, doors, exterior fixtures, etc. Many manufacturers require your seals to be checked every 90 days or your warranty is null and void. Look for cracking, holes, and missing sealant. Water penetration generally causes the most damage to RVs. A leak inside a wall unnoticed can result in rot, mold, or delamination, and generally, once you see the damage inside the trailer, there’s a possibility that it has been leaking for a long period of time resulting in a costly repair! This can easily happen on your brand-new camper, so servicing your RV is critical to ensure that the seals and seams are in good condition.
3. Brakes, Bearings, Tires, and Suspension
Some of the most neglected areas of an RV are the brakes, bearings, tires, and suspension. People think because they haven't towed their trailer very far or they have barely used it, they don't need to worry about such things. However, bearing grease breaks down, seals wear out, leaf springs break, axles bend and tires rot long before they ever run out of tread.
When servicing your RV, it’s recommended to repack the bearings every 5000km or every spring, whichever happens first. Also, inspect the brakes, springs, bushings, bolts, and axles. Before every trip, the tires should be inflated to manufacturer specifications and checked for bulging or cracking, as well as tread wear. Visually inspect all the suspension components and don't forget about checking the torque on the lug nuts!
When servicing your RV, it’s recommended to repack the bearings every 5000km or every spring, whichever happens first. Also, inspect the brakes, springs, bushings, bolts, and axles. Before every trip, the tires should be inflated to manufacturer specifications and checked for bulging or cracking, as well as tread wear. Visually inspect all the suspension components and don't forget about checking the torque on the lug nuts!
4. Propane
It is strongly advised to have your camper’s propane system tested for leaks at least once a year by an authorized RV service center. Propane is a highly explosive gas and a suspected leak should be checked immediately! Your propane detector should also be tested regularly. Keep in mind that it needs to be replaced every 5 years from the installation date.
5. Holding Tanks
Sanitize the fresh tank as often as needed to keep it clean and odor-free. We recommend using fresh tank water for showering and washing dishes, and not for drinking water. You never know the quality of water you may be filling, and if your freshwater tank is not locked, you never know what might end up in there.
When performing RV maintenance, the black tank should be started with a gallon or more of water and a fresh treatment with chemicals before ever using the toilet. The more liquid in the toilet the better the tank will drain. The use of RV toilet paper is highly recommended, and it should still be used sparingly as the more paper is used the better chance of plugging. Never leave your tank drains open even at a full-service site. The more liquid volume the tank has the better it will drain.
Another good trick is to have your black tank 3/4 full and to drive around to liquify everything; this will help it drain better. To further amplify things, you can add all your leftover ice down the toilet to help agitate everything.
Grey tanks are an often neglected area of regular RV service, but they do need chemicals applied once in a while to help remove unwanted food particles, grease, and unpleasant smells! It’s a good idea to leave the grey tank closed until almost full before draining.
We hope that these RV service tips have been useful.
When performing RV maintenance, the black tank should be started with a gallon or more of water and a fresh treatment with chemicals before ever using the toilet. The more liquid in the toilet the better the tank will drain. The use of RV toilet paper is highly recommended, and it should still be used sparingly as the more paper is used the better chance of plugging. Never leave your tank drains open even at a full-service site. The more liquid volume the tank has the better it will drain.
Another good trick is to have your black tank 3/4 full and to drive around to liquify everything; this will help it drain better. To further amplify things, you can add all your leftover ice down the toilet to help agitate everything.
Grey tanks are an often neglected area of regular RV service, but they do need chemicals applied once in a while to help remove unwanted food particles, grease, and unpleasant smells! It’s a good idea to leave the grey tank closed until almost full before draining.
We hope that these RV service tips have been useful.
Do you have any questions about maintenance or need assistance with servicing your RV?
Please call us at 1.877.706.2221 and request to speak with one of our team members in the service department. Or you can also visit Stone RV in Whitecourt, AB, where our RV service experts will be happy to help you!