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Make the Most of Your Mandated Down Time

With all our recent daily life disruptions, people have taken advantage of a little extra time by taking walks, cleaning garages, flower beds and taking care of all those pesky household maintenance chores that no one enjoys doing.

Don’t forget that our RVs could use some much needed attention as they sit idle. 

Now is a prime time to get some of your yearly and preventative maintenance done. Tires are one of the most over looked key components of our RVs.  We never think about them until it is too late, and we have a blow out at the most inopportune time.  Blow outs are time consuming and a royal pain, but the damage a blown tire can do is quite impressive.  Blown tires can rip propane lines, light and brake wiring and complete destroy body panels and the fender trim. Keeping your tires properly inflated is the easiest and most important thing you can do to reduce wear and heat buildup, the main reason for tire failure. If your RV has setup for an extended amount of time, the tires are susceptible to harmful UV damage and internal tread separation.  Covering the tires with tire covers and “exercising” the tires by driving/towing the RV until the tires heat up will prevent a shortened tire life.

Wheel bearings should also be greased and any suspension bolts that have grease zerks should have fresh grease applied.  While you are on your hands and knees, check your suspension system for excessive rust and cracked or broken components.

Awnings, slide toppers and slides could also use some attention.  Mold tends to take root inside our awnings as they are kept rolled up, especially if they were wet from rain or overnight dew when they were last rolled in.  A mild bleach and water mixture in a garden pressure sprayer and a broom as a brush works wonders. Slide outs also need preventative maintenance. Tracks should be lubed, BUT sparingly.  If you have any doubt, have it done by a professional.  The seals and sweeps should also be conditioned with UV protectant to keep them pliable and functioning as designed.

Owners rarely get on their roofs. Water intrusion is RV enemy number one. While you are up there, check all the seams and vent openings for cracked sealant and tears in the roof membrane. Do NOT use silicone sealant on your rubber roof membranes. Manufacturers recommend rubber roofs be cleaned twice a year.

Water systems can always use a tune up. Make sure your on-board 12v pump operates and maintains pressure.  Once the system is pressurized, the pump should not keep cycling unless you open a faucet.  Draining the water from the hot and cold water lines as well as the water heater is a good habit. Has the water system been setting up with water in the lines and tank? Use this mandated down time to sanitize your water systems.

A yearly propane leak test and air conditioner efficiency tests are a strongly recommended practice. These are typically performed by RV professionals due to the equipment needed to test these components.

Propane detectors and smoke/CO detectors are often over looked safety equipment in our rigs. Are your batteries good? Did you know that the detectors have a shelf life? Most detector manufacturers recommend replacing them every 5-7 years.  If you are fortunate to have a new unit or recently replaced detectors, some of them now have a 10-year life.

Miles From Monday can certainly conduct all your yearly maintenance checks including leak tests, air conditioner efficiency tests and fluid analysis of motor/generator oils, coolant and transmission.  We will leave the blinker fluid check for you. 

Be kind, pay it forward and it will all come back to you.

Your Miles From Monday RV Inspection Team