Buying an RV to travel to the top destinations in the US is one thing, but maintaining your RV to serve the same purpose for several years to come is no easy job.

It's not a surprise that your RV home requires more maintenance than your traditional built-in home. When you drive your RV through canyons and national parks, the uneven surfaces result in intense movements, which cause some of your RV parts to wear out, causing breakdowns.

Now, the good news is that if you do proper RV maintenance, breakdowns and malfunctions should be the least of your worry list. And lucky for you, we have all the deets on how you can do proper maintenance whether you are a newbie or a seasonal RVer.

Ready to expand the lifespan of your RV? Let's dive into the basic maintenance tips to keep your RV in good shape.

Basic RV Maintenance Tips to Ensure the Optimal Functionality of Your Vehicle

Plan Maintenance Schedules

We all can attest that most of us here don't have a specific timeframe for maintenance. In fact, most people do RV maintenance once the RV starts developing some issues. And, of course, we get you. Once you buy an RV, the first thing that comes to your mind is destinations to visit. However, planning for maintenance schedules is one unwritten rule that most RVers should do immediately after buying their rig.

The time frame may vary depending on the level of usage, but generally, maintenance should always be done before each trip. Other RV services should be done twice a year. With this in mind, you should be able to plan the right time frame based on your level of usage.

Exterior Maintenance Tips

Exterior RV maintenance tips have everything to do with the exterior parts, from the roof to the awning windows. To keep them looking good as new, here is what you have to do:

• Deep wash your exterior after each trip to remove dirt and grime. This includes even the roofing. A foot ladder should help you clean well.

• Apply a protectant to your exterior to prevent damage from harsh environmental conditions during winter and summer.

• Before rolling the awning for storage, ensure you clean it, lubricate the moving parts, and dry it.

• Seal any openings to prevent water damage and pest infestation. Focus on the roof, edges, windows, doors, caps, vents, molding, and other compartments that may have small openings.

Interior Maintenance Tips

Interior RV maintenance tips have everything to do with your interior organization. With your kids, hiking boots, backpacks, and biking gear, moving in and out of your RV can be challenging if your interior isn't organized. So, ensure you always clean and organize before each trip. Make use of shelf liners, storage cabinets, and shelf organizers to keep everything tidy.

Chassis and Engine Care

First things first, read your Original Manufacturer Manufacturers (OEM) manuals before you start opening up your engine and making it worse. If you don't have one, it would be nice if you visit your dealer or mechanic to give you the information about the engine and chassis. Pay attention to the indicator lights, and always have an emergency fluid kit on all your trips. So, how do you check if the chassis and engine are in good condition?

Use the touch-everything method, which typically involves pushing, pulling, and cleaning everything to look for any wear. Look under your chassis, under your hood, the filters, wiring, hoses, and belts. And don't forget to check the oils; the levels can be changed based on the amount of driving a season.

Pay Attention to the Tires and Breaks

If you have ever had a tire blowout in the middle of nowhere, you will never overlook the importance of maintenance again. So, before you hit the road and at every stop along your trip, ensure you always check the tire pressure. If the pressure is not okay, ensure you properly fill them with air, as low pressure causes too much road contact. That's not all! Ensure you pass through a local maintenance shop for further check-ups, including the brakes and grease suspension components. If you're not planning on using the RV anytime soon, cover the tires to prevent environmental damage.

Electrical and Plumbing System Care

Good RV plumbing and electrical make you feel at home on the road with hot showers in the morning, a well-functioning toilet, and potable water flowing in the sink. But what makes all this possible is the storage of water tanks. Most RVs have 3- A freshwater tank, a gray water tank, and a black water tank. Your job as the owner is to ensure that all the 3 tanks are clean.

Beginning with the fresh water tank, you want to make sure you sanitize the water by adding bleach. Once you flash it down, the water moves down to the grey tanks, cleaning all the dirt. However, if you notice a weird smell, add extra cleaning additives directly to the tank. Next is the black water tank, where you get to drain the contaminated water to prevent build-up.

Bonus tip: Never drain your black tank unless it's halfway, full, or more.

For the electricals, ensure you inspect and tighten all electrical connections, including battery terminals and wiring. Clean connections with a wire brush to prevent corrosion. Test batteries, ensuring they hold a charge for extended periods. Verify the integrity of power cords and replace any damaged components. Don't forget to check the exterior lighting too!

Consider Propane and Gas Systems

If you don't maintain your RV propane and gas systems, chances are you will experience a propane lockout which technically implies that a small amount of propane flows to the cooktop; thus none of the larger appliances can ignite. To be on the safe side, always have a propane technician check for any repairs and leaks that may compromise the system.

During these checkups, insist that they check the gas systems also. If not, begin by inspecting all the gas lines for signs of wear, leaks, or damage. You want to make sure that each connection is tight and secure. Test the propane detector to ensure it's functional. Lastly, verify if all the valves are in the correct position.

Check Generators and Batteries

Maintaining your RV's generator is pretty easy. The manual on your model has guidance on what oil to use in your generator and how often it needs to be changed.

For those not planning to use generators ensure to run it once a month to extend lifespan. For batteries, if you are always on the road, ensure you always check the electrolyte water levels and connections to remove any corrosion. Don't water the battery if it's not fully charged. Conversely, if you don't use your RV regularly, make sure the battery is switched on and the charge never gets below 80%. Also, do visual inspections every month, as warmer temperatures and overcharging can cause corrosion.

Never Skip Seasonal Maintenance

Maintaining your RV to serve you for several years requires two seasonal maintenance- RV winterizing and RV summerizing. RV winter maintenance is done once the camping season is over and winter begins to approach. Parking your RV for months without really using it can result in costly damages. Winterizing ensures that your RV is ready for the winter season.

Summerizing, on the other hand, is done when the winter season is over, and you are ready to take your rig back on the road. The process involves now de-winterizing or, in simpler words, undoing everything you did during winterizing. It is important for RVers to do both maintenance to avoid costly damages or, even worse, losing the entire RV.

Record Keeping

With most owners doing RV maintenance from weekly to season, it's pretty hard to keep everything locked in your mind, which is why record-keeping is essential. Not only does it help you know the state of your RV but it helps keep you on track on not missing important repairs and maintenance services. You can create a maintenance log digitally or the old-school way. Use whichever method works best for you. It will also help to get the better value when you will sell your RV.