Get to Know Your RV: Maintenance Basics

As an RV owner, staying on top of your motorhome’s maintenance helps ensure that your RV continues running smoothly over the years. Even better, ongoing maintenance helps prevent roadside breakdowns.

Get to know your RV with this guide on RV maintenance basics and learn more about how you can best care for an RV of any type or size.

Start by Reviewing Your Owner’s Manual

Each RV has a set of maintenance needs. One of the best ways to get to know your specific RV is by reviewing the owner’s manual. If you purchased your RV new, your owner’s manual should be provided at the time of sale. If you purchased a used RV without the owner’s manual, you could look up most manuals online. Simply search by the year, make, and model of your RV.

Within your owner’s manual, look for some key items that will be specific to your motorhome:

• How often the manual recommends you change your oil: This will depend on the type of engine and the year of your RV. Additionally, your owner’s manual will provide you with a recommendation for your oil type.
• Correct pressure for your tires: This will help you keep track of any pressure changes, ensuring that you keep your tires within the specified range.
• Recommended intervals for fluid flushes and changes: Depending on your RV, you may need to have the transmission fluid, brake fluid periodically, and coolant flushed.
• Type of fuel to use: Make sure to fill up with the recommended fuel to get the longest lifespan out of your engine.

Additionally, your owner’s manual will include important information about troubleshooting should the need arise. You’ll also find detailed information about warning lights and sensors.

Talk to a Trusted Service Advisor

Your owner’s manual is a wealth of information, but for some RV owners, the large amount of detail contained in it can be overwhelming.

This is where a trusted service advisor can help. Ideally, if you purchased your RV through a dealership attached to a service center, you can ask for help from this exact location. A service advisor can help you set up a regular maintenance schedule for your RV based on the specific year, make, and model.

Use This RV Maintenance Checklist

While your RV will have a list of specific requirements, the following basic maintenance checklist will give you a good idea of where to start.

Inspect Your Roof

Your roof not only helps keep your RV protected, it also undergoes a large amount of wear and tear. Exposure to the sun, wind, rain, and tree limbs can cause your roof to develop cracks or leaks. Ensure to inspect your roof before taking your motorhome on a long trip.

Ideally, you should keep your roof covered when it is not in use. A metal carport or dedicated storage unit will help extend the life of your roof.

If your roof is rubber, have it treated annually. This will prevent leaks before they occur.

Lubricate Slide-Outs

If your motorhome features slide-outs, it is vital to keep these slides lubricated. RV centers sell lubricants made specifically for slide-outs, which are often applied as a spray. You can also talk to your service center about maintaining your slide-outs during your annual tune-up.

Pay Attention to Your Tires

Your tires are responsible for keeping you and your passengers safe on the road. So before you take a trip, always check your tire pressure.

Inspect the tread on your tires as well. If you notice that your tread is worn or that the walls of your tires are cracking, it’s probably time to take your RV to the shop and have new tires installed.

Schedule Routine Oil Changes

Oil helps keep your engine lubricated. Over time, the oil in your engine breaks down, causing it to become less effective. The frequency of oil changes will depend on your specific motorhome, but most oil needs to be changed every 3,000 to 4,500 miles. When in doubt, drive your RV into a service center and have a mechanic take a look at your oil levels and the condition of your filter.

Test Your Battery Annually

Every time you start your RV, you rely on your battery’s power. Most deep cycle batteries will last anywhere between three to five years. Every year, when you pull your RV out of storage, have a technician test your battery to ensure it is still holding a charge.

Additionally, if your RV is not in use during the winter months, take your battery out of your motorhome and store it in a warm area. This will prevent the possibility of it freezing and breaking.

Replace Safety Equipment Batteries

Most motorhomes are equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure to check the batteries on your safety equipment at least once every six months. Replace batteries that are dead. Once a year, even if your batteries are still operating, swap them out proactively to prevent your safety equipment from failing.

Talk to the Team at Transwest about RV Maintenance

Whether you purchased your RV from one of our locations or simply looking for a little help with your motorhome maintenance, our team is here to assist. Stop by one of our many locations to talk to a service center representative about the specific needs of your RV. We will be happy to help you set up a regular maintenance schedule, ensuring the longevity of your RV.