Basic RV Maintenance

You’ve already invested a lot of money in your RV, but the responsibilities don’t stop there. If you don’t want your money to get flushed down the toilet and you want to avoid some serious repair bills, you’ll want to make sure you’re taking good care of your RV and perform regular, basic maintenance. Some of the more basic checks can be performed from the comfort of your own home, so Allan Dale Trailers has provided some tips to cover all your bases. If you need more advice, stop by one of our locations in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta for a chat with one of our experienced staff. 

Washing your RV

The easiest, most basic way you can keep your RV healthy is to keep it clean. Regularly washing the outside of your camper can stave off damage from built up grime and debris. Not to mention, it’s just going to look a little better. At the very least, we recommend washing your RV once before you put it in storage, after you take it out of storage, and after every major trip. It’ll take a while to cover everything, but it’ll be worth it in the end.

You’ll want to use the top down method so none of the dirt you wash off mucks up spots that you just cleaned. When you’re trying to clean the roof, you’ll probably need a ladder to reach it, which means you’ll want a spotter to watch out for you. If you’re going to be walking on the roof, wear shoes with a good grip. To make this easier, you might want a brush with a telescoping handle. Use gentle products for everything to avoid damaging the skin of the RV. Wash in small sections so you can rinse off the soap suds before they dry on. Power washers can be helpful, but make sure you’re keeping your distance and you don’t aim the nozzle in one spot for too long.

Seals

Every time the RV manufacturer makes a cut in the frame of your RV, they use seals to patch it up again and to avoid creating weak points in the frame. However, if your seals start to deteriorate, it leaves you prone to leaks and other damaging problems. Apply seal conditioner to keep them from drying out and cracking. Make sure to inspect your seals regularly, even feeling them with your hands, to find tears and holes. If you do find one, patch it with silicone sealant. 

Lubrication

One of the biggest moving parts of any RV is the slide-outs (if you have them). Slide-outs allow you to maximize the amount of space you have to work with when you’re stopped, but only when you take good care of them. This means keeping them greased with dry spray lubricant. Apply it to the bars and tracks to not only keep them working properly, but to also keep them clean and free of dirt. 

Coverage

When you’re not using your RV, whether it’s during the cold months or simply for a few weeks, you’ll want to keep it covered. Your RV is designed to take abuse from the elements, but it’s bound to wear down over time eventually. Keeping it covered with a tarp or special RV cover can put off more serious wear and tear that can lead to big repairs. If you want to really protect your rig, keep it in a covered area, like a large barn or garage.

These maintenance tips are going to be particularly helpful if you’re getting ready to put your RV in storage. You’ll want to make sure there are not problems that might fester during the cold months. If you do find your RV needs a repair sooner rather than later, then contact the service department at Allan Dale Trailers. We’ll help get your camper ready for whatever future plans you may have. We welcome all current and future RV owners from Edmonton and Red Deer, AB.