You've purchased an RV and the one thing that will help you have many years worth of enjoyment from it is without doubt a regular maintenance schedule. You may have negotiated a maintenance plan into your purchase price, if that's the case great. If you have bought a second hand RV, you may be able to do a lot of the preventative maintenance yourself.

Like any expensive item you cherish, you'll no doubt make sure that it's well protected and well looked after. Preventative RV maintenance is all about keeping a check on those parts that are either known to cause problems or will probably cause problems if left poorly maintained.

A few of the more common things to keep a close check on when maintaining an RV are very similar to that of a car. These maintenance items will ensure that the basics are covered.

Fuel System Check

Regularly check that the fuel filter is clean and free from debris that may have come from the fuel tank. Clogged filters will make it harder for the RV's engine to operate efficiently as the correct mixture of fuel to air may not be maintained within the combustion chamber. This can cause what's known as "kangaroo" jumping or juddering and is not a pretty sight.

Air Filter System

Check the air filters and replace them regularly at least 3 to 4 times a year depending on how dirty or dusty the local environment is. Air filters keep the air that's introduced into the engine combustion chamber clean. When these filters become blocked or compromised they will affect the efficiency and hence MPG of your RV. Check them regularly and replace when required or at the interval you have decided upon.

Braking System Check

Be sure to check the brake pads and brake fluid before attempting any long journey. Brake pads will get worn down fast in more difficult or challenging terrain. Check the brake fluid lines regularly for damage or leaks.

Ignition System Check

The contact points on the ignition need to be checked at least once every six months. Your engine may be having a hard time starting and this is exactly the type of problem caused by poor contacts. If you have a direct injection engine, clogged injectors could cause the same problem.

Cleaning products are readily available that you can put into the fuel tank that can add some life to your injectors. You should though know that if this does not work, your injectors may be past the point of saving and will need to be changed.

Suspension System Check

Tires that have uneven wear patterns are often the result of suspension problems or may just be incorrect inflation pressures. If the RV leans heavily in turns or the front end drops low when braking, there is a real possibility that you have suspension problems.

The old test for shock absorbers was to manually bounce each corner of the RV, if possible and watch to see if there are more than just a few bounces. Excessive bouncing will probably mean that the shocks need changing. If you have a large RV, then it would be best to get the above symptoms checked out at a local garage that offers RV maintenance.

Preventative maintenance will help your RV run for much longer and give you extra years of service. Look after your RV and it will look after you. It would be safe to say it's a bit like a marriage.