Author: Amanda Brandon
It’s pretty and shiny. It’s spacious and ready for adventure. It’s your new RV. And then…you start using your RV. Things start to show some wear.
A piece of trim separates from the slide when you accidentally leave your cabinet cracked open. Your vent fan screens are covered in dust. There’s dust gathering around the air intakes for the HVAC system. It’s starting to look like you live there. That’s ok, but did you know you could be shortening your RV’s life?
I know we are! Our rig is about 10 years old, and it’s starting to show some wear and tear. For space purposes, we are considering buying another fifth wheel, but it’s just not in the budget yet. So, I asked the friendly folks in our Facebook Group, The RV Bunch, for some ideas on extending the life of our RV.
Here are 10 signs you’re shortening the life of your RV and what do to about it.
Not using your RV.
If you’re not using you’re RV, it’s important to make sure you are taking care of it. Letting an RV sit leads to problems like water infiltrations.
When you store your RV uncovered, you’re exposing your roof and seals to the elements. The elements wear these down and you can get water inside the RV, which leads to condensation. Condensation leads to wood rot. That leads to expensive repairs. If you store it at home, a 50-amp electrical hookup is surprisingly affordable.
Another part of not using your RV – especially if you’re in a humid climate – is the condensation that can occur in storage. Roof leaks aren’t the only cause of moisture damage. You’ll want to control the humidity in your camper while it’s not in use – damp rid and dehumidifiers are first lines of defense against RV-damaging moisture.
Not giving your RV a regular bath.
This one is so overlooked. With campgrounds that don’t allow RV washing and frequent moves, it’s hard to find time to give your RV a bath. But it’s very important to the life of your rig. Almost everyone I asked suggested we regularly wash and wax the outside of the camper.
This keeps your rig looking new and it also helps protect the paint from the sun. Most owners said to wax the outside at least once per year.
Not walking around your roof regularly.
The top side of your slides and your roof are other commonly overlooked parts of your RV. Walking around up there and getting rid of debris before you pull in slides is a great way to lengthen the life of your roof and slide toppers. You’ll also want to check for cracks and seals while you’re up there.
Not finding and sealing leaks immediately.
Want water infiltrations? Nope! See above for the dirty details of what it does to your rig. When you see water, it’s time to find that entry. Seal it up quickly and completely.
A trick to finding leaks: Splash water in the area you suspect and spray with compressed air. If bubbles form, there’s a leak there.
Need more tips on finding and sealing leaks? Read our guide to leaks in the RV.
Not checking slides before opening and closing.
This is such a frustratingly easy step to forget when you’re setting up and packing up, but it’s one of the most important steps to protecting the mechanics of your slides. Be sure all cabinets, drawers, and doors are closed before you pull the slides in or push them out.
Here are a few other things to check for when opening and closing slides:
Chargers for your wireless devices.
Small objects (like a digital camera – true story).
Items that may slip under the carpets next to the couch.
The broom (another true story).
Bins that push cabinets out. You need to hear that “click” when closing the cabinets.
Not checking tire wear and tear.
First of all, be sure to check that you have the right tires for your rig. You’d be shocked how often RVers are sold the wrong tires. Make sure you know what you need. Don’t depend on the tire shop to tell you what you need. Verify the size and ratings yourself.
Second, check for wear and tear. Tires can rot in the elements. Be sure your tires are not dry rotting. This happens when you don’t use your RV often or your tires are constantly exposed to the sun.
Tips: If it’s in storage, consider wheel covers to keep your tires out of the sun. Spray a UV blocker on your tires three to four times per year.
Third, check your tire pressure. Improperly inflated tires can dry rot and reduce traction, fuel economy, and load capacity. Not taking the time to check the air in your tires can also reduce tread life and cause tire failure. An RV blowout is awful. It often damages the camper itself when the tire blows out. Check the pressure once a month and before long and short trips.
Not greasing the wheel bearings.
You need your wheels to spin and bear the weight of your travel trailer, fifth wheel, or motorhome. Don’t neglect them. Some experts say once a season is often enough to grease the wheel bearings. Others say every 10,000 to 12,000 miles. Your owner’s manual is the ultimate expert on this. Check what it says and tack the job on to a regular service appointment or maintenance task to extend the life of your RV.
Not cleaning your interior appliances and fans.
Grease, dirt, dust, and ice can shorten the life of your appliances inside and outside your rig. Make it a point to set up a schedule for regular cleaning on items you forget – under the stove burners, the vent hood on the stove, the microwave, the refrigerator (we defrost every other grocery run), the outside refrigerator components, the air conditioner intakes and filters, the fan screens in the bathroom and above the kitchen, the tops of your slides, and the heater vents in the floor.
Not checking trim for loose pieces.
Trim is going to pop off – doors and walls. Gently tap the nails back in to keep it in place.
Winterize your tanks.
If you live in a cool or cold climate, you have to take care of your tanks. Be sure to follow your manufacturer’s instructions for winterizing your tanks. Here’s our guide on what steps to take to winterize your RV.
These 10 signs you’re shortening the life of your RV aren’t the sum total list of maintenance, but the list is a good starting point. Treat your rig right and it will last for years to come. What did we miss? Tell us about it in the comments.
Related Tags
Cleaning, Exterior, RV Hacks, RV Repairs / Maintenance / Upgrades