The Basics of Motorized RV Maintenance

Pop the hood and do a walk-around of the RV. We like to use what I call the “touch everything” method—push, pull, clean, and look for any wear. Use a rag and wipe things down as you go to help reveal any damage or leaks that may be hidden under dirt and grime. Always, always, always check the oil. Even if you’re not due for an oil change, the levels can change based on the amount of driving, changes in seasons or if your RV has been sitting for a while. Be sure to check your windshield washer fluid and your diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). You don’t want to get caught with summer wiper fluid in a winter storm as it will freeze instantly.

If you plan to take your RV out for longer than a week or have it stationary for a few months, then we recommend checking a longer list of fluids and using a more detailed cleaning regiment. In addition to the engine oil, washer fluid and DEF, be sure to check your transmission, radiator, power steering, and antifreeze reservoir. Double check your manual to see if there is anything else pertinent that you need to inspect. After you top off all the fluids under your hood, check your filters (including your cabin air filters), wiring, hoses, and belts. Look for anything that appears to be cracked, chewed, loose, torn, or worn.

We also like to check the oil and filter on our generator. The manual on your model should give guidance on what oil to use in your generator and how often it needs to be changed. If you don’t plan to use your generator, it’s still important to run it at least once a month to help extend the lifespan. Lastly, look under your chassis and see if anything is out of place, hanging down or if there is any wear and tear. If your RV is close to a scheduled service interval, do it now, as you’ll never regret getting it done beforehand. 

Before you head out—and at every stop along your trip—always double check your tire pressure. Be sure to fill each tire to the manufacturer and OEM recommended levels. Low pressure can cause too much road contact, which leads to overheating and tire blowouts. After properly filling them with air, thoroughly inspect each tire for uneven wear, nails, holes, or bulging. Then check the pressure and torque on all lug nuts, as vibrations on the road can cause the nuts to loosen.

Start with everything listed above and then take it a step farther. Get your tires rotated and inspected at a local dealer or maintenance shop before you head out. We always ask our shop to check the brakes (fluid and pads) and grease suspension components as well. And when you’re not using your RV, try to cover your tires to protect them from the sun and weather exposure. You can find affordable tire covers and RV skirts online—they’ll help save your tires in the long run.

Start with a basic visual inspection of your battery. Check the electrolyte water levels, connections and remove any visible corrosion (we like to use a mixture of baking soda and water with a small brush). Only water the battery after it is charged. However, if the plates are exposed, add enough power to charge them and then proceed with filling each cell to the bottom of the vent well. If you don’t travel regularly, you should still check your batteries every month and make sure the charge never gets below 80 percent.

If your battery has a disconnect switch, make sure it’s switched on. Then do your visual inspection and clean any corrosion. It’s worth noting that warmer temperatures, overcharging and prolonged usage will require that you check your batteries more often. On longer trips, you’ll also need to add distilled water more often, monitor the electrolyte levels and generally keep a constant eye on your charge.

Freshwater tank sanitization is critical, especially if the water has been sitting in your tanks for a while or if you happen to run contaminated water through the pipes. There are multiple ways to approach sanitizing your freshwater tanks, with the most common being a mixture of water and bleach or purchasing a sanitizing liquid that you can flush through your tank. We use the diluted bleach method, and recommend doing this twice a year to keep you and your family safe.

Luckily, when you sanitize your freshwater tank, you’re also cleaning your grey tank—the cleaning solution in the freshwater tank cleans the grey tank as you flush it through the faucets. If you want to ensure that your grey water tank is extra clean or if you notice a smell coming from the drains, you can always put an extra cleaning additive directly into the tank. Before we head out on a trip, we like to fill our grey water tank halfway and then add a bit of dish soap to it. This way, while we’re driving, the soapy water moves around and gets things extra clean. Additionally, we rinse our tank a few times after each dump to help prevent buildup.

Cleaning and maintaining your black water tank really comes down to four basic steps. First, never drain your black tank unless it is halfway full or more. This keeps things moving along and helps prevent clogs. Second, always flush the tank after draining it to remove the buildup. Third, after flushing the tank, add some water back into it by flushing your toilet. And finally, get a good black water treatment solution and use it consistently. There are a lot of different products and options, so do some research to find out which one fits your specific RV and travel needs.

Before and after every trip, head to your local car wash to clean your RV. Dirt, oil, grease, and bugs are much easier to clean when you do it right away. Once your RV is clean, inspect the roof, siding and the seals and rollers on any slide-outs. Be sure to clean on the inside of your windshield as well, and check for any chips or cracks that may need fixing.

In addition to washing before and after a trip, we are firm believers in getting your RV waxed every six months. We’ve found this not only provides excellent UV protection, but it also makes washing and maintaining your RV’s exterior much easier.

Once you’ve got your RV clean and organized, only pack what you really need. For example, do you really need three of each kitchen serving utensil? Probably not… Only packing what you truly need makes cleaning easier, keeps your RV weight down, can reduce fuel usage, and ultimately keeps you safer and happier.

Before a long trip, take everything out of your RV and do a deep clean. I know this seems daunting but emptying your RV not only gives you an opportunity to evaluate what you actually use, but it can also reveal issues like a dripping sink, rodent damage, a water penetration issue, or a loose connection.