The Importance of RV Maintenace

by Perry Mack

One of the many things my dad taught me before he passed away at the age of 54, was that time is our most precious commodity. We can’t buy more and what’s even crazier is we don’t know how much we have to begin with.

Which is why I like saving time, as much or more than saving money. When I can do both it makes me happy. And when it’s related to making sure my time off is truly ‘time off’, I’m ecstatic.

Making sure my RV is properly maintained is more important to me than maintaining my daily driver. If the car breaks down on the way to work, oh well, I’m late for work. If the RV or tow vehicle breaks down while I’m on vacation – that’s a different story. My work only allows narrow windows of opportunity to escape on vacation and like you I spend hard earned money to get away. So mechanical breakdowns are frustrating to say the least, and lost vacation time is lost forever. Add to that the serious safety hazards of tire blowouts or RV fires and you can appreciate why we need to take a really good look at our rigs.

Getting through my check list typically meant making a few appointments and running around town - take the truck into the service shop for a tune-up; take the truck into the tire shop; take the trailer into the RV dealership to get all the systems inspected; when I had my Class A motorhome I had to go to a special tire shop because most tire shops could fit inside my motorhome not the other way around. The whole process usually took a few Saturdays but the piece of mind and the trouble free vacations were worth it.

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer who has the equipment and the know-how here’s your ‘pre-flight’ check and ‘to-do’ list;

  • A/C service, appliance/accessories, awning, electrical system, exterior maintenance, tire check, furnace service, generator oil change/air filter check, rubber roof preventative maintenance, slide-out maintenance, wheel bearings, water heater service and water system check.

Then there’s a separate list for you engine/power train in your Class A, B, C or tow vehicle.

Here’s my number one tip of the season that will save you time and money.

Firstly I’ll point out that I’m not an RV tech. I can turn a wrench but I’d rather be pouring a drink while I watch my son cut the lawn. And while I can replace a spark plug and change a tire, I’m not an expert in electrical, gas, plumbing & A/C systems. 

Fortunately for me the Fender’s shop in West Kelowna is absolutely as good as it gets.  It’s the Disney World of RV/truck service. People come from a hundred miles away or more to get their vehicles serviced here.  I can tell you why I do.  I can drop off the truck with trailer attached, they’ll give me a ride to work and pick me up when it’s done.

There’s a discount because I’m dropping both the RV and the truck off at the same time. I’d be happy to pay more because I don’t have to go anywhere else. I’m saving time and money, while I’m at work making money.  If you have a place like this where you live please let me know so I can share the information with others because I don’t think there are many, if any around.

Fenders in West Kelowna has bays large enough to handle a dozen or more motor homes at once, a full RV parts and service department, they have full mechanical services for my truck, full collision repair services for trucks & RV’s and they’ve recently become a full sales & service tire dealership. They have fully certified, experienced staff - specialists in their fields - going over, under and inside my precious RV and truck so my vacation goes off without a mechanical hiccup.

If you haven’t had your rig checked out this year or you’re getting ready to head south this winter, take the time to do it now.  When it comes time to look back at the vacation photos – you’ll be smiling at the attractions, events and views - not crying at the roadside and garage over the repair, tow and extra hotel bills. When it comes to time, take a father’s advice and make the most of the best times you’ll have.