It’s almost summer, and many RV owners will be hoping to revive their vehicles and get ready for the next adventure. That means preparing your camping gear and RV for the trip.
Below is a brief rundown of some of the essential things you need to do to prep your rig for the season.
1. Check The Battery
Batteries usually lose energy when left unused. Therefore, unless you’ve been using your RV throughout winter, you’ll need to check that battery and make sure it’s charged. While doing this, remember to inspect the water level.
If you have removed the battery from your RV, reconnect it carefully to avoid unnecessary hazards.
2. Inspect The Tires
Tire blowouts can cause a fatal accident that could ruin your entire trip. To avoid this, inspect all the wheels(including the spare ones) before embarking on your vacation.
What exactly should you look for? Start by checking for signs of wear and tear. Experts report that RV tires can remain functional for up to 10 years. However, the lifespan varies hugely based on several factors. For instance, if you use your RV throughout the year, chances are you’ll need to replace the tires more often.
The manufacturer’s manual can also help you know when to replace the tires. This is especially important if you don’t use your RV a lot. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended lifespan regardless of how new the wheels may appear.
Tire pressure is also crucial for road safety. RV tires lose a considerable amount of pressure even when the vehicle is idling. Check the owner’s manual for recommended PSI and inflate your tires before getting on the road.
Finally, check the lug nuts and ensure they’re tightened up and ready for the trip.
3. Clean Up The Water System
Don’t forget to de-winterize your water system. It’s also good to do this several days before your trip just in case you find faults in the system.
While working on the water system, inspect it for any leakages. With the water pressurized and the pump turned off, follow the system screening for leaks. Hopefully, you won’t find any, but if you, be sure to repair them as soon as possible.
4. Check The Appliances
Check all the appliances that make your life in the RV worthwhile and ensure they are in good condition. This way, you can pack your RV camping gear and head for the forest knowing nothing but a great experience is waiting for you. That’s what camping is all about, after all.
The propane system is a great place to start. If your RV uses LP gas, check the tanks, valves, connection and ensure they’re working correctly. The last thing you want is to arrive at the camping site only to find out that your stove or hot water system isn’t working.
Remember to check the certification date of the propane gas.
Move on to the air conditioner, microwave, refrigerator, TV, and every other electronic present in your recreational vehicle.
Seasonal RVers usually forget to inspect closets and other hidden areas in the vehicle. This is really dangerous, especially if the RV stayed unused for a long time. Check these areas for spiders, reptiles, and any other unwelcome guests that could be lurking in there.
5. Check The Roof
Before taking off for the summer, take a ladder and inspect the condition of the vehicle’s roof. Use your eyes and hands to check for any visible cracks and other red flags. Consider washing the roof, and the rest of the vehicle, to make the inspection less tedious.
An RV roof full of white residue is an indicator that you need to reseal the roof.
6. Perform A Comprehensive Mechanical Inspection
This is one of the biggest priorities when preparing for an RV trip. At best, an RV with mechanical issues will give you nightmares on the road. At worst, it may result in a fatal road accident.
So, make sure to take the RV for inspection before the trip. If you have the necessary skills and equipment, do the inspection yourself.
And what should you look for? Check the horn, brakes, lights, wiring, belts, fluids, differentials, axles, and all the filters in the vehicle.
Besides the RV, you should also inspect the towing vehicle as well as the hitch and towing devices.
7. Check Your Safety Devices
Finally, inspect your smoke detectors, fire extinguisher, gas leak detector, and carbon monoxide detector.
Many would argue that preparation is the most important part of any trip. Rightfully so. Fail to prepare properly, and you’ll set yourself up for a horrible experience.
Go through the above checklist and tick every box before you hop onto that RV drive into the horizon.