Before hitting the road complete this RV spring-prep checklist: Begin with a thorough exterior inspection. Examine the outside, including the body and roof, for any cracks or separation and look inside for stains on the ceiling, sure signs of roof leaks. Look beneath the coach and/or or tow vehicle for signs of fuel or other fluid leaks.
Once you've determined there are no exterior leaks, wash the RV with a specially formulated soap designed for the exterior. Work in the shade, since washing a hot surface can result in hard-to-remove spots and streaks. Use specialized wheel cleaners to make tires and trim look new.
An RV that's been stored all winter needs to be aired out. Vacuum the carpet and clean the floors and other surfaces as needed.
Spring prep should include a fluid and connections check. Look for insect and rodent nests and chewed wires and hoses. Check the amount of LP gas and test appliances for proper functioning.
Drain and flush the freshwater tank. Add 1/4 cup of household bleach for each 15 gallons of capacity. Then fill the tank almost to capacity, leaving room for sloshing. Drive or tow the coach to mix the bleach. Run the hot water to get the bleach through the water heater. Then drain the freshwater tank. Refill, along with 1/4 of baking soda per 15 gallons. Drive or tow to mix the water, run the hot water, then drain and refill with fresh water. Test the water pump and water system, including the water heater.
On motor homes, generators and tow vehicles, change the oil and filter and perform all recommended services according to the owner's and maintenance manuals.
Batteries should be check for electrolyte level and connections should be removed, cleaned and after re-assembly, treated with an anticorrosive product.
Make sure all of the lug nuts are secure, check tires for cracks and other damage and set inflation pressures. Trailers should have the wheel bearings repacked.
Replace batteries and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Check the gauges on fire extinguishers. Check and refill your first aid and emergency kits. An emergency kit should include: flares, a gas can, reflective triangles, duct tape, jumper cables, wheel chocks, flashlight and basic hand tools.
Stock up with necessities for cooking, cleaning and entertaining. Review kitchen equipment and the inventory of favorite games, books, cards, puzzles, CDs, DVDs or videos.
To have peace of mind when you hit the road, get Good Sam RV Emergency Road Services.
It's official, most of us have actually started to see some real sunshine and summer time is just round the corner. For those of you have had your RV tucked away safe and snug over the winter months it's time to dust it off and get back out on the road. There are a few things you might want to check over first though:
Check & clean it
Give it a thorough check, both inside and out. Give the roof a close inspection, especially if it's spent the winter months braving the elements, clear any leaves and make sure there are no leaks or weak spots. It's better to spot them now rather than in the middle of an April shower or a summer thunderstorm. Check all the seals around the windows and doors, if any of them are looking a bit worse for wear, replace the sealant; remember to remove any old sealant before applying a new coat. Roll the awning out, again check for any leaks, mold, mildew etc. Check all the safety equipment. Test the smoke alarms, ensure the tags on any fire extinguishers are still in tact, make sure the first aid kit is up to any emergency and fully replenished. Once you're sure everything inside is in top shape, give the whole thing a deep clean. Any dirt and grime that's built up under the RV needs to be cleaned; a high pressured hose should loosen any stubborn mud and dirt. It's hard to spot any potential holes, leaks or problems if your entire vehicle is caked in mud. Once the outside is spotless, move inside and remove any unnecessary accumulations from the past year, although not a potential hazard, any excess weight is going to add to your weight and fuel consumption. Once it's looking as shiny and clean as a show room model, open all the doors and windows; let the whole thing air, especially if you've been using any potent chemicals inside.
Check the tires
Your tires work a lot harder than any car tire, they may not do as many miles, but they have a lot of weight to move around so they should be checked regularly. Your owner manual will advise what your tire pressure should be. Remember, over inflated tires are not going to grip the road as well and under inflated tires are going to consume more fuel. If your RV has been stood still all winter, it's very important you check them thoroughly for cracks. Make sure they're clean and have plenty of thread left; any spare tires should not be exempt from this inspection. If you're in any doubt, replace them. We have some beautiful and remote countryside but it's not so enjoyable if you have to deal with a blowout.
Wipers & windscreen
Just like the tires, these are simple things to check and can save a lot of inconvenience if something goes wrong with them later on. Any chips on a windscreen need to be fixed ASAP, most insurance companies can fix this without damaging your premium, they wont replace the whole RV windscreen for free, especially if you ignored that tiny chip. Again, April showers and summer thunder storms are not the ideal time to find out your motorhome windscreen wipers don't actually wipe the windscreen anymore. If they've not been used for a while, like the tires, check the rubber isn't cracked and that they clear the windscreen. Any reputable RV dealer will be able to recommend a service centre which specialises in RV's who can fix and windscreen problems.
Under the bonnet
It's always best to get your RV serviced at a reputable RV service shop, if this isn't feasible give the basics a good check the same way you would with a car. When oil sits for too long, it can separate which causes condensation, condensation in your engine means water touching metal which can cause rust. Drain any old oil out and replace it with fresh oil. Take a wire brush and give the battery a good clean, baking soda mixed with the water can help negate any irritable affects of the acid, if the battery is too corroded, your engine will have a hard time starting. If your battery requires it, top it up with some distilled water; tap water can have too many minerals.
Paper work
Lastly, before you head off to enjoy the sunshine, give your insurance and breakdown policy a quick once over, if any of your circumstances have changed you may need to amend your policy, have you moved house since you took the cover out? Is your breakdown still valid?
When it comes to making sure your RV is in a tip top and road worthy condition it's always best to get it checked by a professional RV service centre.
Both Jamie Hanson & Kimberlie Hutson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jamie Hanson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Environment and Desserts. You can read more information about rv preparation and find an interesting resource site. Jamie Hanson's top article generates over 1500000 views. to your Favourites.
Kimberlie Hutson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Motorola Cell Phone, Franchise and Brain Injury. Travelworld RV is the leading supplier of in the UK. We can supply both new and used RV's and have the largest stock of used American Motorhomes. Kimberlie Hutson's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.