With the summer travel season underway, people all around the country are getting their rigs out of storage. It’s easy to get busy with life on the road. But don’t forget these RV maintenance tips while you enjoy your adventures. Staying in the routine of checking your rig’s major systems will help you avoid expensive repairs.

Happy Goat RV Storage is the go-to spot for RV owners in Austin, TX. Whether you’re returning from a quick trip to San Antonio or a cross-country adventure, Happy Goat RV is here when it’s time to store your camper for a while. With state-of-the-art video monitoring and friendly, knowledgeable staff, our facility gives you peace of mind. Book your space today.

RV Maintenance Tips to Protect Your Investment

Anyone who owns an RV knows that these are expensive pieces of equipment. Some people live full-time in their vehicles, so the costs replace the expense of a stick-and-brick home. Others use their rigs part-time and still have the cost of maintaining another home, as well.

Either way, the expenses associated with an RV can be significant and warrant excellent care for your vehicle. To avoid costly repairs, be sure to follow these nine RV maintenance tips throughout the year.

1. Pay Attention to Your Battery

Unless your RV’s battery is maintenance-free, be sure to pay attention to the water level and top it off with distilled water. Deep-cycle batteries have a life span of three to five years, but some owners automatically replace them at the three-year mark to avoid problems.

When your RV is in storage, disconnect the battery and periodically charge it. This habit will help ensure that it’s ready when you are. 

2. Inspect the Roof

Seams and seals will begin to wear over time, leaving your vehicle at risk of costly water damage. Leaking roofs not only lead to expensive repairs in the hundreds or thousands of dollars, but they can cause mold and other fungi to grow in your RV. 

Seal and seam deterioration is likely. Be sure to check all of the seals and connections carefully before you hit the open road, including:

• Roof Edges
• Vents
• Skylights
• AC Unit

When using a sealant on your vehicle’s roof, ensure that it’s the right type for your roofing material. Rubber roofs, in particular, can be prone to sun damage. Make sure to inspect yours every six months to catch problems early.

3. Make Sure the Slide Outs easily slide

Over time, dirt and debris can cause slide out mechanisms to stick. Clean and examine the seals around your slide out to help avoid expensive problems. 

If there is any sign of sticking when you operate the slide out, add some lubrication to the mechanism. While you’re at it, check that your windows open and close smoothly, as well. If they do not, consider applying lubricants there, too.

4. Tire Check

Every trip in your RV should begin with a check of the tires, specifically the lug nuts and pressure. Ignoring this RV maintenance tip can be hazardous and expensive.

Check and tighten all the lug nuts to avoid losing a tire while you’re cruising down the freeway. Even in storage, the lug nuts can loosen a bit.

Also, make sure that each tire is at the correct pressure according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. If your vehicle has been sitting a while, it’s likely that the pressure is no longer at the right level. Temperature changes also impact tire pressure.

Underinflated tires will cost you money due to poor gas mileage. And they make it harder to control your rig safely.

Overinflated tires are at risk of blowing once you hit the road. A quick pressure check will help keep you and your wallet safe.

5. Take a Look at the Awning

When you are on a trip, periodically sweep off the awning to keep debris and critters from accumulating there. Bees like to make nests in these cozy spots.

Before storing your RV, check the awning for tears or any signs of mildew and mold. Catching and fixing these issues early can help you avoid a costly replacement. Make sure the awning is completely dry before closing it up for storage.

6. Test Your Safety Equipment

It goes without saying that you should check your vehicle’s headlights, taillights, and turn signals before each trip. Aside from the safety side of things, missing lights can lead to expensive traffic tickets.

Additionally, be sure to check the smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector each month or whenever retrieving your vehicle from storage. And keep an eye on the expiration dates on any fire extinguishers you have on board. It’s a good idea to have a professional inspection each year to make sure your extinguishers are still functional.

7. Ensure That Your Brakes Will Brake

When it comes to safety, examining your vehicle’s brakes is one of the most crucial RV maintenance tips. You are driving a heavy load that demands a lot of braking power.

You should have a brake inspection each year to ensure they are fully functional and have enough material to be safe. Make sure that you use a shop that works specifically on RVs since the braking mechanisms can vary from rig to rig.

8. Change the Oil and Filters

Oil changes are critical for any vehicle to protect the engine. But they are particularly important for RVs that may sit for long periods. Depending on your manufacturer’s recommendations, you probably need to do an oil change every 3000-4000 miles. However, if your vehicle has been sitting idle for a long time, you may need to change the oil sooner.

Going too long between oil changes can cause your rig’s engine to seize up, creating a costly need to replace it. Make an oil check part of your pre-trip checklist.

All of your RV’s filters need regular attention:

• Oil
• Air
• Hydraulic
• Fuel

Checking these at each oil change and replacing them when needed will avoid unnecessary wear on your engine. 

9. Maintain the Wastewater System

No RV owner wants to deal with a sewer issue. It’s the stuff of nightmares and movies. To help ensure that your wastewater system functions properly, keep these tips in mind:

• Choose toilet paper that is for RV use or that disintegrates quickly.
• Use a high-quality hose. Cheaper options frequently develop holes, creating the mess you’re trying to avoid.
• Let the black water holding tank get to about two-thirds full before emptying so that solid waste has time to break down.
• Flush each tank after emptying.
• Use the right chemicals for each system.

Happy Goat RV for Your Storage Needs

One of the most essential RV maintenance tips is to have a safe place to store your vehicle. At Happy Goat RV Storage, we keep your rig secure here in Austin, TX. With a convenient location, excellent security features, and plenty of amenities, Happy Goat is the perfect choice for storing your RV.

Reach out for more information and reserve your space today.