Loaded with baggage and gear, family RVs transform into moving fortresses on vacation. But, don’t rush out the door before checking for the following items. If you take care of them, your RV should remain in peak shape for quite a while. Here are five things you should always check before your next expedition.
1. Flush the Generator’s Fuel and Refill It
If it’s sat for longer than a month, your generator’s fuel may have gone bad. So, you’ll need to make sure there’s fresh gas in its tank before going anywhere. Even if there’s still some in it, it’s best to drain old fuel. Over time, compounds break down inside of it, changing its combustion profile.
Another way you can prolong your fuel’s lifespan is by adding a stabilizer to it. At most auto stores, fuel stabilizers are in the additives section. It prevents gas from losing its composition after sitting for too long.
Always run the generator for at least 2 hours each month. By running it at 50% capacity for 120 minutes, it’ll run fresh fuel through its lines. That way, when you need it, getting it to start won’t be a problem.
2. Add Some Distilled Water to the Batteries
If you’ve never owned an RV, adding water to the battery might sound crazy. Most consumer automobiles don’t use batteries that require maintenance. But, the standard in an RV is a flooded battery.
Flooded batteries usually have removable caps on them, covering their water supply. Opening up the cap will provide access to the water chamber where the battery’s water is stored. Over time, electricity causes water to boil and evaporate out of the chamber.
Most RV’s switch which batteries are running to prevent them from boiling too much water. But, from time to time, you’ll still need to add some to it. Just make sure you’re using distilled water since there are minerals in tap water. If they’re in the battery’s water, they can corrode their terminals.
3. Re-Lubricate Your Slideouts
You saw the Cummins ISX Engines for Sale and thought, why not? It wasn’t until you took it on the road that you realized how many slideouts this monster had in it.
Slideouts get a bad reputation for being chronic problems in the RV community. Yet, most of them work well as long as they’re kept in good condition.
Apply a dollop of lubricant to their tracks next time the RV has settled into a campsite. By opening up the slides, you’ll have better access to their tracks. Then, just slap a little lube on them, and they’ll be good to go.
4. Inspect the RV for Drafts and Seal Them
You may not be worried about sky-high utility bills while living in the RV. But, small drafts are still something to notice and repair. If left alone, they can develop into much larger holes in the RV’s siding.
Look around its windows and doorways for signs of obvious wear. Filled with caulk, most small cracks stop spreading. Plus, nothing can get through once there’s foam sealing off the tear.
5. Sanitize the RV’s Water System
It might be better to hire someone else to sanitize the RV’s water system. As important as it is, the water lines must be flushed thoroughly afterward.
To do it yourself:
- Toss 1/2 cup bleach into the RV’s water tanks.
- Drain everything out of its water tanks and refill them with fresh water.
- Drain them again after they’re full of freshwater, too.
Otherwise, there could still be a little bleach hiding in the lines.
Do this at least 3 times using freshwater to prevent any risk of bleach contamination. After that’s done, the RV should be ready to hit the road.
What to Check Before Embarking on Your Next Adventure
Brimming with excitement, everyone rushes into the RV, eagerly awaiting the destination. Luckily, you already took care of all the maintenance. So, it doesn’t take long before you and your crew embark. At the end of a long road, your destination is waiting. Hurry up and get there.
