7 General Tips for Caring for Your RV

Purchasing an RV is a big investment, but the payoff is well worth it. If you’re not ready to maintain an RV on your own and want to rent before making the commitment, you’ll have no trouble finding an RV rental in Calgary, Toronto, or Vancouver. But, when you’re ready to take the plunge and purchase a camper for yourself, you’ll be able to benefit from this home-on-wheels all year round. When you travel with your friends or family, you can save loads of money taking your RV instead of wasting it on hotel rooms, plane tickets, and rental cars. Of course, when winter hits, your camper will likely sit for a few months while you’re braving snow, sleet, ice, and freezing temperatures. Before you unveil it for springtime and get it back on the road, your RV might need a little extra love and attention to get you safely to your destination. Take note of these seven ways you should care for your camper before embarking on your next adventure.

Check your brakes

One of the most important things to maintain in vehicles of any kind is the brakes. The brakes on your RV will wear faster than your typical vehicle because of the far distances you may be driving, as well as the weight of the vehicle. Even campers that are towed along by the back of your truck or SUV have brakes, unless they are quite small units. Keeping them properly maintained and checked regularly will prevent a terrible accident on the road that could put your vacation at risk, as well as your life.

Inspect for leaks

Often, we invest in an RV because we’re looking for a more luxurious way to camp out and enjoy nature than a typical tent. One unavoidable part of nature is the weather, and if bad weather strikes on your next camping trip or cross-country adventure, you don’t want to be stuck with a leaky RV. Inspect your roof twice a year, as well as all other seals and seams such as doors and windows, to avoid costly water damage to your camper.

Maintain sewer system

When you gotta’ go, you gotta’ go, and the great part about an RV is that most are equipped with some sort of sewer system to prevent frequent road trip bathroom breaks. Making sure the waste water tank is fully emptied and washed before letting it sit for the season will keep it smelling fresh and put bacteria at bay. A clean sewer tank means that pipes can continue functioning properly for longer, and will save you money in the long-run on future repairs.

Keep batteries in good condition

During the off-season, remove the camper’s battery and store it in a warm, dry location. They have the potential to freeze and break if left outside during these colder months. This may void the warranty and cost you hundreds of dollars, even though this can easily be avoided by storing it somewhere safe.  Your battery should be replaced every three to five years, so make sure you check it’s condition before you head out on a long road trip.

Clean interior

Keeping your camper clean regularly during the spring, summer, and fall is crucial. Any stains you may have created in the warmer months will set during the winter and may become impossible to remove. You can also draw bugs into the RV if you haven’t fully cleaned and vacuumed the inside after your final meal of the season or properly emptied the fridge. You wouldn’t want to open the doors in the spring just to find ants or roaches have taken over, or open the doors to be hit by the smell of mold or mildew.

Replace fluids

Just like in your vehicle, it’s important to get a regular tune-up, and this involves replacing fluids such as oil and coolant, as well as the filters. If these are not regularly maintained, you’ll find yourself replacing parts sooner than you’d like.

Keep the instruction manual

In case of emergency, always keep the instruction manual on hand in your camper. It could save you in situations where you’re unsure of what needs to be checked regularly, what cleaning products can be used on certain surfaces, and where to find certain parts and pieces. If you’re buying a used RV and it doesn’t come with a manual, you may be able to find it online.