AT Overland Equipment
Proper vehicle maintenance pays off in the short and long term, even when running in harsh conditions.
Practicing good maintenance habits on your overland rig just makes sense and can pay off well in the short and long term. It can mean the difference between recovering your vehicle quickly or being stranded waiting for assistance in less than stellar situations.
Wouldn’t it be a bummer to blow a radiator or another vital system? From the often-intense heat of the summer and frequent thunderstorms to demanding terrain, keeping your vehicle and camper in exceptional ‘overlanding shape’ is the best way to ensure hassle-free trips. While some of our maintenance tips may just be common sense, some are not. Regardless, it’s best to maintain all types of systems and integral parts.
Check the Airbags
Airbags help support a truck camper on the bed and need to be properly adjusted (depending on the load) until the vehicle and camper are levelled. Most airbags we commonly see have a 2.2 kg (5 lb) minimum of support to keep their shape and maximum inflation of 45 kg (100 lb). If you’re in doubt, resort to the manufacturer’s recommended specifications.
Tires Monitoring and Care
We can’t stress the importance of tire care enough. Warm temperatures and the hot pavement create added heat and friction while wet conditions decrease stopping distance and reduce maneuverability. These conditions just worsen with worn (or soon to be worn) tire treads.
Steve Fennell
Before any trip inspect the tire treads. To reduce wear, get scheduled tire rotations and inspect for rocks or damaging debris.
Before any trip, no matter the distance that is being travelled, inspect the condition of your vehicle’s tire treads. If they are half the thickness from when you first purchased them, buy a new set. A good way to prevent wear is by routine rotations and checking them for rocks or damaging debris.
Regularly ensuring the recommended air pressure is also crucial. When it doesn’t have the correct Psi (or even the recommended Psi when aired down), tire performance can be compromised and cause lower gas mileage. Since heat makes air expand, the best time to determine the most accurate tire pressure is early in the morning when the tire is cold.
Reputable off-road rubber will have stiff sidewalls to help resist rocks and other sharp debris. Although it’s normal for a little bulging to occur at the top or bottom of a tire, never overfill it to prevent this. Your vehicle owner’s manual provides the recommended air pressure on how low to air them down for off-road use.
Even with the best preventative tire maintenance, punctures happen. So be sure to have a tire plug kit and compressor, and know how to use them.
Steve Fennell
Look for any bends, cracks, and dents on your wheels. This set is good to go.
Inspect the Wheels and Bearings
Visually inspect your wheel for any bends, cracks, and dents. Bearings keep your wheels running smoothly and the best way to check their condition is without any weight on the wheels.
Simply jack up your vehicle until the tire is just off the ground and using jack stands as a safety precaution, give the tire a shake by grabbing the top and pulling it towards you. There should be no movement. If you don’t hear strange sounds during travel or feel anything loose, then your bearings should be fine.
To make sure the lug nuts are not too tight (or too loose), swing by your local mechanic shop to have them re-torqued to proper specifications. Bearings and lug nuts are vital parts of your rig. Failing to care for them could lead to wheels coming loose or even falling off while driving.
Brakes
The added weight of a camper may put more stress on your brakes. Before loading your camper with food and gear, take a test drive to see if your stopping distance is elongated or if any is shimmying in your steering when stopping. If there is, have your vehicle checked out by a professional.
Steve Fennell
Fluids should always be topped up or replenished if necessary.
Fluids and Coolants
First, do a basic oil change. Then, check the other fluids levels for the brakes, power steering, transmission, and even the wipers. All should be topped up or changed.
In the event your engine starts to run a little hot, check the condition and/or level of the coolant. The heat of summer makes the engine work harder to stay cool. Likewise, if your air conditioning is not performing at its peak, the refrigerant may need to be added. When this doesn’t solve the problem, there may be another problem such as a leak.
Steve Fennell
Hoses and belts need to be in good working order. Nothing slows a trip down more like waiting for parts in a rural area.
Belts and Hoses
Probing hoses and belts on your vehicle is a good way to determine wear and tear. Look at the belts that run the power steering, fan, A/C, and alternator. Depending on how old your vehicle is, these belts could all be separate or your vehicle may use a serpentine belt.
Hoses also need to be checked including the upper and lower radiator hose and the power steering hose. Cracking, frayed, leaking, or even slight bulges are not uncommon. The heat and humidity of the summer will make their condition worse and can cause breakdowns.
Don’t Overlook the Wipers
These can often be overlooked until you can’t see through the windshield during heavy downpours or dusty conditions. Simply replace them if they don’t function properly.
Steve Fennell
Have you ever tried to see out of the front windshield during a rainstorm after the wiper fails - not fun.
Battery Care
All battery terminals need to be clean and tight to ensure a good connection, allowing power to effectively travel throughout your vehicle. Also, be sure that the battery is secure. When it doesn’t charge properly (or holds a charge very well), use a load tester to determine the power levels. Replace the battery if necessary.
Steve Fennell
The battery should have a good charge and all terminals need to be clean and debris-free.
Vehicle Jack
Knowing where your jack is located, how to use it, and where to place it on your vehicle when you need to use it is vital. If you have larger tires (than what originally came on the vehicle), the jack should fit under your rig safely. Consequently, you may have to add some jack blocks to your set-up or carry a tire repair kit to plug up holes until you can replace the tire.
Lights and Mirrors
Make sure that mirrors are adjusted to your liking. Walk around your vehicle to confirm that all your running lights, turn signals, brake lights, and headlights are working properly.
Steve Fennell
Mirrors and lights need to be working properly as well.
Turnbuckles for Slide-in Campers
The four turnbuckles are integral pieces of how a truck camper is mounted to the bed. It’s important to periodically check that they are secure. Remember, tighten the two front turnbuckles first and then, while hugging the camper as close to the front of the truck bed as possible, tighten the rear two turnbuckles. This can be done by sticking a screwdriver through the turnbuckle and turning it. We recommend checking these once a month, depending on how frequently you use your camper on and off-road.
Bolts on Flatbed Campers
The four bolts that mount the flatbed camper on your vehicle are not as imperative to check as turnbuckles, but they are still important to know where the four bolts are and that they are secure. Generally, these bolts are located where the propane tanks are stored, in compartments under seats, and inside interior cabinets.
Preparation and maintenance are always essential and getting the most out of your overland experience. Monitoring key systems, parts and the truck camper itself, just ensures the longevity and reliability of your rig and great experiences on the road.
Article courtesy of AT Overland Equipment, a manufacturer and retailer of truck toppers, campers, and storage solutions for overland enthusiasts. The company also offers rooftop tents, as well as heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems for the road. Based in Prescott, AZ, AT Overland Equipment can be reached by visiting www.atoverland.com.