If you’re like most RV enthusiasts you know that there’s no better way to travel. Whether you’re heading to a national park or a music festival, traveling by RV lets you take all the comforts of home with you on your trip and provides you with maximum flexibility in your travels.
Not only is traveling by RV a superior way to travel, but it can also save you money. This is especially true if you are proactive in maintaining your RV. These tips will help you protect your investment and make sure your RV provides your family with safe travels and good memories for years to come.
Simple but important: lug nuts and tire pressure
One commonly overlooked area of wear and tear on an RV is the lug nuts that secure the wheels. These should be checked after every trip or period of time in storage to be sure they haven’t become too loose. Driving with loose lug nuts is very dangerous and can lead to excess wear and tear. In extreme cases, a loose lug nut can cause a tire to totally fall off while driving!
Similarly, checking your tire pressure regularly is a simple measure you can take to keep your family safe and your RV running smoothly. Remember that temperature has a big effect on tire pressure, so this is extra important when traveling between areas with different climates.
Maintaining your RV’s brakes
Good brakes are the most important safety feature you can have in your RV. For your safety and the safety of your fellow travelers, you should make sure your brakes are checked at least once a year by a qualified RV and coach repair center. You should also make sure the wheel bearings are properly lubricated every few days while you are traveling. Nothing can turn an amazing family vacation into a disaster as quickly as an RV brake mishap!
Do regular checks of your RV’s roof (and all connections too!)
You should be sure to check the roof of your RV for leaks at least every three months. Water is corrosive and leaks can spring from any open seams in the edges of your roof, skylight, AC unit or other vents. This is especially important in any part of your RV with wood features as it doesn’t take very long for water to seep into the wood and cause a lot of damage. Finding a leak and repairing it with some sealant now can save you a lot of headaches and bigger costs down the road.
Make sure to regularly change your RV’s oil.
While cars require oil changes every 3000-5000 miles, RV’s are a bit different. Being a bigger and more powerful engine, you should have your RV’s oil changed every 2000-4000 miles. In addition, RVs tend to sit dormant for longer periods of time, so you should make sure to change the oil at least once a year to prevent excessive engine wear and tear.
Emptying your RV’s sewage tank.
It’s a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. Most likely, that person is you. First time RV owners will often think it best to empty their sewage tank as frequently as possible, though this is not the case. Allowing your sewage tank to fill up to ¾ capacity gives the chemicals time to break down toilet tissue and waste better than constantly emptying it. Ironically, the more waste in the tank, the shorter time it takes to empty it, getting you back on the road enjoying your vacation in no time.