Jessica Rider
Tire care is always important but take it a step further mid-season.
Words by Jessica Rider
There’s nothing worse than being all excited for a weekend adventure only to find out that your RV isn’t working properly and needs to be repaired. You have the camper packed for the weekend and thought of everything to make sure you get the most out of your weekend away. But then it happens.
You get to the campground only to find out a slide won’t engage, you’re surprisingly low on propane or there’s a foul odour coming from the bathroom and you don’t know why. These issues and more will inevitably happen but you can prevent most of them by doing a few thorough inspections mid-season.
Routine maintenance every trip like checking tire pressure, cleaning out the black tank utilizing the black tank flush (if your RV has this capability) and ensuring all of your electrical connections are working properly should be common practice. However, running your RV hard throughout late spring and halfway through summer takes a toll on certain components you may not be aware of and below is a checklist to go through to ensure continued enjoyment on the road for the rest of the season.
Jessica Rider
Constant exposure to the elements can take a toll on seals around doors, slides, and windows. Closely inspect them.
Check Your Roof
Climb up the rear or side ladder and spend some time inspecting for scratches, punctures or holes. Walk along the edge and check all of the seals to confirm they don’t require re-sealing. Also, make sure the roof vents are not damaged. If you need to make a quick patch you can find some great products either online or through your dealer.
Check Your Fluids and Filters
If you have a motorhome this is a great time to check all of your fluids and filters and proceed with changing them, add windshield washer fluid or brake fluid if needed. Remember to check your windshield wiper blades to make sure they are still functioning correctly.
Crawl Under Your Rig
There’s so much that can be missed with just a quick inspection before a trip. This Mid-season is also a great time to check the lug nuts on the wheels, the braking system, and possibly rotate the tires if you notice some wear in certain spots under the RV to find the cause.
Jessica Rider
Running a properly running RV and/or tow vehicle ensures a smooth season into the fall.
Care for Your Slides
Slides are great for increased space but they need to be maintained regularly to prevent a costly repair. Clean them and check the seals on every trip but take this time to lubricate the mechanisms. Don’t forget about the windows in your slides as well, lubricating them will help you enjoy the perfect weather in Canada this time of year.
Clean Your RV
If you are like my husband you probably wash your camper more than just once throughout the camping season but if you’re not, this is a good time to give your RV a good wash. Clean every inch of the exterior and then take it one step further and give it a good wax. Waxing the cap of your RV will especially help keep all those bugs off.
Nobody wants to miss a weekend of camping due to an issue that could have been prevented. But by creating an easy checklist and any others that are specific to your RV, you’ll ensure that all your remaining trips for the year will be memorable.
Happy Camping!