Preventative RV Maintenance: Save Time, Money, and Stress
TL;DR: Regular RV maintenance saves money, prevents breakdowns, and ensures safety on the road. You don't need to be a mechanic—simple tasks like sealing the roof, changing oil, and cleaning filters are manageable with some research. A little effort goes a long way in avoiding costly repairs and staying road-ready.
Fix It Before It Falls Off: My Idea of a Survival Guide
Owning an RV means endless adventures, thrilling sights and a guaranteed good time (usually) but keeping it in great shape takes more than just paying for the gas and dreaming of the places you’ll go. Regular maintenance is key to making sure your rig stays safe and road-ready for all your trips. And do you realize this maintenance is directly related to your safety while on the road?
The good news is, you don’t have to be a mechanic to handle a lot of the upkeep. Simple tasks like checking your tire pressure, sealing the roof, changing the engine and generator oil can easily be done by most RV owners.
Because I travel full time, I get my generator and engine oil changed at least three times a year. This has been a regular expense where I am at the mercy of whatever town I am in and how quickly the shop can fit me in the schedule. I don’t have the luxury of comparison or coupon shopping.
Teaching another woman how to change her RV engine oil
The last time I paid to get my engine oil changed, the mechanic took all of 20 minutes, then handed me a bill for $199. That really got me thinking, so I watched a YouTube video on how to change the oil. Then once I was down the internet rabbit hole, I looked up how to change the generator oil, I found my last invoice for that—it was $99—and standing in my dining room, I decided it was time to learn to do both myself. Once I tackled those, I started figuring out what other RV maintenance tasks I could handle on my own. Here are some very easy things I do myself after minimal research on instructions.
- Check and Seal Roof Seams: About once a year I climb on my roof and inspect for cracks or damage, anything that could allow a leak. Initially, the hardest part was determining what type of roof I have - different maintenance is required. After that it was very easy. I wash the roof then mop on the sealant. Then a down on my hands and knees inspection found more than half the things attached to my roof did not have anything type sealant around the holes. I used Dicor for this. It is a waterproof rubber sealant. It is easy to apply, just squirt it on, and while it's messy it works perfectly.
- Clean and Replace Air Filters: This simple task improves airflow, increases fuel efficiency, and prevents dirt from damaging the engine. I look at these filters about once a month. They last a long time. I keep eight (the amount I need for my RV) on hand to make changing them an easy process that can be done immediately.
- Test Battery and Electrical Connections: Periodically cleaning connections prevents power issues and ensures your engine starts. I use the old method, I pour soda on them.
- Hot Water Heater: Check for leaks, flush the tank (super easy, Google it), and inspect the anode rod (funny story, I couldn't find mine-turns out my RV doesn't have one).
- Change your engine and generator oil: This is incredibly easy to do. Ok the first time it is a hot mess -literally. Now it takes me longer to get the supplies together than actually do the work. To do both I will spend about $100.
Since I travel full-time solo, staying safe is always top of mind, and that’s why I take RV maintenance seriously—it’s directly tied to how smooth my trips go. A well-maintained rig means fewer chances of breakdowns or risky malfunctions while I’m on the road.
Getting in the Car with Strangers
One of my biggest worries, I’ll admit, is breaking down in the middle of nowhere and having to rely on the kindness of passing strangers. It’s not exactly comforting to think about waiting for a tow that might not come quickly—or, even scarier, having to hop into a tow truck with someone I don’t know. Remember all those warnings about never getting into cars with strangers? Well, they still stick with me! That's why I’m so committed to staying on top of maintenance—it gives me peace of mind and helps me avoid those nerve-wracking situations altogether.
To be fair I did have a blowout on one of my RV tires and at least six people stopped to offer aid. They were very kind, although once they saw the 22 inch tire they kept on going. The tow truck driver, who could not tow my 30 thousand pound RV, went out of his way to help me. The insurance parking lot I had to sit in for four days was extra nice-they even offered me some of the office bagels each day! But still I am not inclined to rely on the kindness of strangers (no offense Tennesse Williams). I’d much rather stay ahead of any issues, especially since it just takes some time and effort.
In the end, staying on top of RV maintenance is not only manageable, but it also pays off in more ways than one. Tackling simple tasks can save you a lot of money on potential repairs down the road. Anyone can do these chores, they are only a Youtube video away. More importantly, it keeps you safe, reducing the chances of dangerous breakdowns while traveling. Plus, there’s a real sense of accomplishment in knowing you’re taking care of your home on wheels, making each trip smoother and worry-free. So, roll up your sleeves and dive into the projects you can handle—you'll be glad you did!
