As the summer RV season nears its end, there’s a lot to think about when it comes to your rig. Between the busyness of summer road trips and readying your RV for winter, comes autumn and that’s a great time to perform RV annual maintenance. If you have school-aged children, the end of summer trips may come earlier for you than others, but regardless of the specific timing, we have an annual RV maintenance checklist to help you easily move through the process.
You might not think too much about your roof, but it’s a vital part of your RV that takes quite the beating in the elements. So, a key part of RV annual maintenance is getting your roof inspected for any cracking or peeling, gaps or lifted sealant, loose rooftop components, or anything else that is not 100% secured and in good working order. Even a small amount of missing sealant can allow water to seep in, which during the winter could result in an expensive mess come spring.
Always exercise extreme caution if performing a roof inspection yourself, slips and falls on a roof can be a serious hazard. Opt for ease, comfort, and safety by taking your RV in to your dealer or service center to have professionals perform the roof inspection as part of your annual service.
Much like the roof, you’ll want to inspect the sidewalls and corners of your RV as well for any issues during yearly maintenance. Sealant on RVs can dry out, harden and shrink weakening its grip. This can happen because of age, temperature, sunlight, damage or simply from the normal wear and tear of RV life. But when it does occur, it can lead to drafts and leaks, which no one wants.
Lastly, while conducting your exterior inspection look at your tires as they also experience a lot of wear and tear over time. Checking them often, even while on the road, can keep you ahead of the game to make sure they’re not wearing unevenly or that you haven’t unknowingly caught something sharp while driving. Then during your annual fall maintenance give the tires, and your spare, a thorough inspection.
Next on your annual RV maintenance checklist is making sure your RV components are all in good working order. Depending on the features of your specific rig, components to look at during your RV annual maintenance may include cooking appliances, furnaces, air conditioners, ventilation fans, and your water heater. Test your appliances for full functionality and clean or replace any filters as needed.
Coleman-Mach has Merv 6 and Merv 9 Replacement Air Filters for their air conditioners that provides greater filtration for trapping allergens, dirt, lint and dust without restricting airflow.
For all appliances check with the manufacture of your specific unit for best practices for yearly maintenance; service on gas appliances should always be performed by trained professionals. For RV enthusiasts with an Aqua-Hot Hydronic Heating System on board, the company has both annual service kits and how-to videos on their website to make your RV annual maintenance straightforward and hassle-free.
As part of your RV’s annual maintenance, you’ll want to also check the windows and window shades. Make sure the seals on your windows are in good condition to prevent water leaks. Check that your window latches are working, especially the latches on any egress window for safety reasons. Examine screens for any holes that need to be patched.
You’ll also want to inspect your window shades as part of yearly maintenance to make sure they too are in good working order. For damaged pleated shades, United Shade has a Restring First Aid Kit that allows you to mend existing shades extending their lifecycle.
A thorough cleaning from top to bottom should be included on your annual RV maintenance checklist. And in fact, a key part of maintaining many RV components, like rooftop fans, is routine cleaning to keep everything in tip top shape. So not only will an annual deep cleaning make your RV look great, but it can also help extend the longevity of your rig’s components.
Rooftops can have road debris, sap and plant particles, or bird droppings that can stain (or worse) if not cleaned off in a timely manner. Often rooftop fans and AC units have screens to clean and you can use your time cleaning to both tidy up and inspect your RV for anything that might become a problem in the future.
Dicor has a complete line of RV Care & Cleaning products for your annual RV maintenance. It includes a powerful exterior wash, mold & mildew remover, bug & tar remover, black streak remover and awning cleaner as well as specialty brush heads that make cleaning RVs easy and efficient.
An internal deep clean is also important to prevent mold and limit the amount of dust that can build up if you put your RV in winter storage. It will also give you a chance to look for any damage or items that might need repair. Plus, giving your RV and internal appliances a good clean means you won’t be in for a nasty surprise when road trip season hits next year, and it will remove any food debris that might attract unwanted critters.
And don’t think that the cleaning aspect of yearly maintenance on your RV has to be tedious. Liven up your chores with the help of family, friends and a little upbeat music. Check out our playlist, Cleaning the Coach on Spotify, and dance your way through your next RV deep clean.