After spending a long, frigid winter at home, the weather is finally warm enough to hit the road in your RV. However, a bit of spring RV maintenance is in order before you plan the first road trip of 2022. We cover how to get your RV ready for the camping season in this blog.
Check the Battery Power in Your RV
RV batteries lose an average of 10 per cent of their power each month when they sit in storage. Before you back out of the driveway this spring, make sure to charge each battery to 100 per cent and ensure they have the correct water levels. If you had to remove any batteries and put them into storage, test that you have reconnected them correctly before starting out on your journey.
Make Sure All Tires Have Proper Air Pressure
Batteries are not the only part of your RV to lose power while it sits in storage. Each one of your tires can lose a significant amount of air pressure as well, making your RV dangerous to drive. Be sure to use a high-quality tire inflation gauge to check the air pressure and adjust the pressure in each one. You may need to consult the owner’s manual to determine the manufacturer’s air pressure recommendation based on your load weight.
Poorly inflated tires can cause a wide range of problems, including poor steering and handling, uneven wear, excessive heat build-up, and tread wear. Ignoring these issues puts you at considerable risk of tire failure and a serious accident on the road.
De-Winterize Your Water Tanks and Check for Leaks
You winterized your tanks before putting your RV into storage last fall, and now it is time to reverse that process. The first thing you need to do is connect one end of your drinking hose to the RV and the other to your city’s water supply. You will then need to complete each of these steps:
- Run water through the entire system continuously to remove every trace of anti-freeze.
- Flush your outside shower hose if you have one.
- Drain the remaining water from your freshwater tank if you think it might have any anti-freeze in it.
- Turn the water pump on and add fresh, potable water. Turn on every faucet in your RV and let the water run until it comes out completely clear.
- Turn off all faucets and close the pump once all the water appears clear.
- Pour potable water into your water heater tank and flush it out with fresh water. You should not have any anti-freeze remaining in the water at this point.
- Replace your water filter cartridge if your RV requires one.
Once you have finished each of these steps, you still need to check for water leaks. You can do this by grabbing a flashlight and then turning on the water pump. The water will become pressurized, and the pump should stop. Shine the flashlight underneath sinks, cabinets, and around toilets to see if you spot any leaks. Be certain to repair any water leaks before heading out in your RV for the first time this spring.
Are Your Appliances Ready to Go?
If any tanks or LP gas cylinders have gas remaining in them, open its gas supply and check its operation. The water heater tank should be full of water before you test the water heater. You will need to bring any LP gas appliance that needs repair to an authorized RV service shop. The technicians servicing your RV should also complete a leak test and operating pressure test before giving the go-ahead to use your appliances.
Keep in mind that the odour of LP gas attracts insects that may build nests inside of your appliance. Since these nests can prevent appliances from operating properly, be sure to look for them before turning on appliances for the first time this season.
More Items to Add to Your Spring RV Maintenance Checklist
The above represent just a handful of items you want to check on your RV this spring. Here are several more things to look at while completing your spring RV maintenance:
- Engine fluids and gas
- Plumbing system
- Power generator
- Safety equipment, including fire extinguisher, carbon monoxide detector, gas leak detector, and smoke detector
- Seams and seal
If you ever feel uncertain that a part of your RV is operating correctly or that you have the skills to repair it, do not hesitate to bring your vehicle in for professional servicing. Happy camping!