It's official, most of us have actually started to see some real sunshine and summer time is just round the corner. For those of you have had your RV tucked away safe and snug over the winter months it's time to dust it off and get back out on the road. There are a few things you might want to check over first though:
Check & clean it
Give it a thorough check, both inside and out.
Give the roof a close inspection, especially if it's spent the winter months braving the elements, clear any leaves and make sure there are no leaks or weak spots. It's better to spot them now rather than in the middle of an April shower or a summer thunderstorm.
Check all the seals around the windows and doors, if any of them are looking a bit worse for wear, replace the sealant; remember to remove any old sealant before applying a new coat.
Roll the awning out, again check for any leaks, mold, mildew etc.
Check all the safety equipment. Test the smoke alarms, ensure the tags on any fire extinguishers are still in tact, make sure the first aid kit is up to any emergency and fully replenished.
Once you're sure everything inside is in top shape, give the whole thing a deep clean. Any dirt and grime that's built up under the RV needs to be cleaned; a high pressured hose should loosen any stubborn mud and dirt. It's hard to spot any potential holes, leaks or problems if your entire vehicle is caked in mud. Once the outside is spotless, move inside and remove any unnecessary accumulations from the past year, although not a potential hazard, any excess weight is going to add to your weight and fuel consumption.
Once it's looking as shiny and clean as a show room model, open all the doors and windows; let the whole thing air, especially if you've been using any potent chemicals inside.
Check the tires
Your tires work a lot harder than any car tire, they may not do as many miles, but they have a lot of weight to move around so they should be checked regularly. Your owner manual will advise what your tire pressure should be. Remember, over inflated tires are not going to grip the road as well and under inflated tires are going to consume more fuel. If your RV has been stood still all winter, it's very important you check them thoroughly for cracks. Make sure they're clean and have plenty of thread left; any spare tires should not be exempt from this inspection. If you're in any doubt, replace them. We have some beautiful and remote countryside but it's not so enjoyable if you have to deal with a blowout.
Wipers & windscreen
Just like the tires, these are simple things to check and can save a lot of inconvenience if something goes wrong with them later on. Any chips on a windscreen need to be fixed ASAP, most insurance companies can fix this without damaging your premium, they wont replace the whole RV windscreen for free, especially if you ignored that tiny chip. Again, April showers and summer thunder storms are not the ideal time to find out your motorhome windscreen wipers don't actually wipe the windscreen anymore. If they've not been used for a while, like the tires, check the rubber isn't cracked and that they clear the windscreen. Any reputable RV dealer will be able to recommend a service centre which specialises in RV's who can fix and windscreen problems.
Under the bonnet
It's always best to get your RV serviced at a reputable RV service shop, if this isn't feasible give the basics a good check the same way you would with a car.
When oil sits for too long, it can separate which causes condensation, condensation in your engine means water touching metal which can cause rust. Drain any old oil out and replace it with fresh oil.
Take a wire brush and give the battery a good clean, baking soda mixed with the water can help negate any irritable affects of the acid, if the battery is too corroded, your engine will have a hard time starting. If your battery requires it, top it up with some distilled water; tap water can have too many minerals.
Paper work
Lastly, before you head off to enjoy the sunshine, give your insurance and breakdown policy a quick once over, if any of your circumstances have changed you may need to amend your policy, have you moved house since you took the cover out? Is your breakdown still valid?
When it comes to making sure your RV is in a tip top and road worthy condition it's always best to get it checked by a professional RV service centre.
About Author
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Author name: Kimberlie Hutson
Travelworld RV is the leading supplier of American Motorhomes in the UK. We can supply both new and used RV's and have the largest stock of used American Motorhomes & RV's in the UK. We also have an extensive purpose built service centre offering you a complete range of RV servicing facilities - with factory trained technicians and manufacturer authorization from all the big names in RV
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