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Camping Season Is Coming – Will Your RV Be Ready?

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

Springtime has always been the prime time of year for all those annual maintenance tasks to ensure you have a safe and comfortable camping season. Now is the time to check everything from the tires to the roof and perform any repairs or RV mods as needed.

RV Exterior maintenance

To start, give your rig a nice wash and wax so it will be sparkling clean (and protected from the harmful UV rays) by the time you get on the road again.

Check your RV tire pressure, inspect them for tread wear, and rotate the tires if needed. If your RV tires are older than 5-7 years, they will need to be replaced.

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Wash your awning with a proper cleaner and let it dry out completely before storing it again. Thoroughly inspect the fabric for any tears, and the awning arms for any broken or missing rivets. Ensure that the roller tube is not warped and that the lock still works to keep it in place.

Need to fix that annoying, squeaky RV slide-out once and for all? Order some RV slide-out lubricant and get it fixed now before you have to hear it all camping season.

Inspect your RV’s roof for any weak seams, cuts, or degrading sealants. Use the right cleaner and sealant based on the type of roof you have (rubber, aluminum, fiberglass, etc). While you’re up there, give a look over your A/C unit, your skylights, and vents.

Cleaning the RV roof makes a world of difference. Photo via iRV2 Forums

Interior Maintenance

Give your kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom a deep cleaning including the inside of all cabinets and drawers. Throw out all of the old, expired food from your fridge and wipe the shelves thoroughly. While you’re at it, try this easy RV mod to make your fridge run better.

Drop some deodorizer in your gray tank to resolve any bad odors and dissolve grease and sludge in the drain lines. Give your windows a thorough cleaning inside and out, and wash off all the bug guts that have splattered.

Check your RV generator and maintenance it as needed; it may need an oil change if you have hit the 100-hour mark. Replace the batteries in all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and test that they are still in proper working order.

It’s also important to take care of your hot water heater once a year. This may include flushing the water heater, checking the pressure relief valve, cleaning the burner tube, and more. If you’re not comfortable with doing this work yourself, consider having it done by a qualified technician who offers mobile repair services.

Be sure to keep track of these annual maintenance tasks and more with an online maintenance tracking tool such as RV LIFE Maintenance. Not only can you keep all your maintenance records and documents in one place, but you’ll also receive timely reminders via email when maintenance is due.

Whether you have a small camper or large Class A motorhome, RV LIFE Maintenance can keep track of it all, along with two additional vehicles, such as a tow car, motorcycle, or four-wheeler. You can learn more on MaintainMyRV.com.

https://youtu.be/y3Hu_tEAJHo