RV Service and Maintenance Tips
Your recreational vehicle isn’t just a big investment—it’s also one of your most prized possessions, so you’ll want to take good care of it. It’s important to regularly service your RV to keep it in good working condition. Of course, there are a few things that you can perform yourself at home, but fixing more complicated issues should be best left to the professionals. If you need help with any repairs, the experts at Zabukovic RV are always ready to assist you.
As your premier RV dealer in Colorado, we’ve gathered our top RV maintenance tips to get you started. If you have any questions or you’re in the market for a recreational vehicle, be sure to visit our dealership in Pueblo.
Visual Inspection
The best way to handle maintenance issues is to keep them from happening in the first place. This means you’ll want to do a thorough inspection of your RV before you roll out. Check every nook and cranny from top to bottom, including tires, ventilation, slide-outs, and any other moving parts that may need some repairs while you’re still close to home. If you own a motorhome, then you’ll want to check all the fluids in your engine and make sure it’s ready for the long haul. We recommend doing this well in advance so if you do run into problems, you can get them taken care of without wasting vacation time.
Slide-Outs
Slide-outs are one of the most innovative features of RVs. The ability to increase your living space within a few seconds is a luxury that some take for granted. However, if you want to keep enjoying your spacious living accommodations, you’ll need to take proper care of your slide-outs.
Other than bringing your rig into the shop to get the really big stuff tuned up, it’s a good idea to hit your slide-out rails with some lubricant once in a while. Use a spray can of silicone-based lubricant in a well-ventilated area and hit the length of your slide-out’s runner and rail to keep it moving freely. Giving your slide-outs this treatment once every six months or so should keep them moving smoothly between visits to the shop.
Seals
The seals around the windows and doors are critical for your comfort. Once per travel season it’s a good idea to give every seal in your RV a quick look just to make sure that they’re in good shape. Signs of distress are cracking, peeling, and a generally poor fit that won’t protect against water intrusion. Seals are more difficult to repair than replace, so if your seals are in bad shape get them replaced as soon as possible, especially if there’s wet weather on the way.
Vents and Ventilation
To some, it seems like common sense to leave your camper tightly sealed while you’re away, but this can be harmful to your RV’s health. If you leave your vents open just a bit while your rig is idle, then you’ll allow rubber-cracking hot air to escape, as well as mold and mildew inviting moisture. To prevent water from getting in through your vents, we’d recommend using a set of vent covers while your RV is waiting to hit the road again.
Generator
Most RVs lack a generator, but if you’re traveling in a luxury model, you may have access to one of these appliances. A generator is an awesome tool to have when you travel, but if you don’t use it, some issues are likely to crop up. If you own a gas generator, you run the risk of the fuel getting gummy and leaving a sticky residue inside, while diesel fuel can gel in cold weather, and go bad on its own. If you have either type of generator, one of the best tips is to simply run it for about an hour at half the load about once a month. This keeps the fuel in good shape and prevents costly breakdown repairs.
Check the Tires
Regardless of what type of RV you have, you should regularly be checking the tires. Use a tire pressure gauge and check the tire pressure daily to ensure that it’s within the recommended psi range for your particular model. If you’d like, you can even invest in a tire pressure monitoring system, which will automatically provide you with regular updates on the condition of your tire pressure.
Speaking of tires, you should also be examining them for any concerns regarding the tread. Excessive wear can lead to balding tires, which means that you’ll have less grip than is required for the road. While you’re at it, check for any unusual or uneven wear. Finally, check for signs of damage to the tire wall. You should never under any circumstances travel with a compromised tire.
Zabukovic RV has a dedicated service department that will gladly help you with all your RV-related needs, from basic inspections to major repairs. Contact us today at our dealership in Pueblo, CO, and we will set you up with one of our experienced technicians. We welcome all our patrons visiting us from Colorado City and the Cheyenne Mountain Area in Colorado Springs.