Did you know that an estimated 17 million households in the United States of America are looking to purchase an RV for the first time? There are a ton of maintenance tips that you’ll need to be aware of when you purchase your first RV. Making mistakes with RV maintenance is a great way to harm your investment into your family’s new RV.
Having the right RV cleaning tools and knowing when regular RV maintenance is required will go a long way towards making your big investment last. The good news is that you’ve come to the right place to learn about the most common maintenance mistakes that new RV owners make.
Continue reading this article to learn more about these mistakes and how you can avoid them.
1. Not Checking Window Seals
One of the worst things that you can do when it comes to your RV’s maintenance is neglecting to check the window seals. Water damage is one of the main causes of repairs to RVs because it will seep in through poor seals or cracks in the seals. Make sure that you check the water seals on your windows on a consistent basis to avoid water damage.
The best part is that the repairs to the cracks are easy and cheap to do on your own. Think of it as a fun DIY project on your new prized possession.
2. Not Covering Your Roof
One of the common RV issues that new owners experience is failing to cover the roof when you’re parked. There are tons of affordable RV roof covers that will ensure that no water finds its way into your RV while you’re sleeping or relaxing.
RV covers also help you keep your RV warm when the weather turns cold and regulate temperatures when it is sweltering outside. It is a great RV maintenance investment that you need to make. Get more tips here.
3. Not Checking for Water Damage
As mentioned earlier, water damage is a huge issue when it comes to mistakes with RV maintenance. You need to be vigilant and check for water damage in your RV on a consistent basis to avoid costly repairs. You’ll be looking at severe damage to your RV’s interior as well as corrosion issues with the engine and the chassis without checking for water damage.
4. Not Going Over Your Safety Checklist
It is always a wise idea to have a safety checklist for your RV before you embark on your next great adventure. Make sure that everything that you’re bringing is tucked away in a safe place where it won’t injure or harm anyone. You should also make sure that all of your windows are closed and your awning is rolled up and stowed.
Check under your RV to make sure that it isn’t leaking any fluids and make sure that your generator is turned off if your RV has one. This will help to prevent unnecessary damage to your rig and keep everything in great shape for years to come.
5. Forgetting To Check Your Tires
The tires on your RV are arguable the most important part for you to check on a regular basis. The wheels and tires on your RV are what will get you to your beautiful vacation destinations. They’re also one of the most important parts when it comes to driving safely in your rig.
You need to make sure to check your tires every time before you embark on your next journey. Luckily, it is an easy task that anyone can do without the help of others. Inspect your tires closely with a flashlight to look for any punctures or damage and use a tire pressure gauge to make sure that your tires have the appropriate amount of air.
6. Forgetting To Secure Interior Belongings
You’ve probably seen it in movies where the family on vacation forgets to secure their belongings and kitchenware before taking off in their RV. The first big turn they make causes everything to come cascading out of the drawers and compartments. Don’t be that family.
Make sure that everything is secure and safe before you start driving. This will keep your other passengers safe while also keeping your belongings intact. It is something that you need to do for the safest and best RV ownership experience possible.
7. Loading Too Much Cargo
While RVs are designed to allow you to bring some of your favorite things with you on your journeys and vacations, you need to be mindful that there is a weight limit with RVs. Do research into what the weight limit is with your family’s RV so that you can make sure that you’re not overloading your RV.
Overloading your RV will cause damage to your chassis and suspension system. It also creates a dangerous situation for the driver of the RV as well as the passengers and any vehicles around you on the road. Make sure that you only bring the things that you need. Pack your heavy items low and in the middle of the RV if possible.
8. Don’t Overclean Your Floors
While it is natural to want to keep the floors in your RV clean, you need to go about it the right way. Deep cleaning your RV floors is a mistake because they tend to be made from light materials that won’t handle lots of water well. Cleaning this way could lead to rust and corrosion issues that will cost you lots of money to get repaired down the road.
Avoid These Mistakes With RV Maintenance Today
There are plenty of mistakes that any RV owner makes from time to time, but the worst kind of mistakes to make are ones involving your new RVs maintenance. Make sure that your RV gets regular maintenance and that you don’t overload it with cargo. You should also be diligent about checking your RV’s tires and wheels and making sure that you aren’t getting any water damage inside.
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