10 Steps to getting your RV ready for Spring

Submitted

The long winter is almost over and soon we’ll be able to take to the open road with the windows rolled down and the sun shining through the windshield. There are a few steps to looking over the RV for the first time – especially if your RV spent the winter outside under a tarp. A comprehensive ‘how-to’ of what to do if a system fails is beyond the scope of the article, as there are often many variations by manufacturers. You should always check the manuals if you discover a failure or take your RV into a professional service shop for expert advice.

  1. Roof - Water leaks can occur over the winter especially if you’ve had a metre of snow stacked up on the tarp (or hopefully you purchased a quality RV cover). Get up on the roof and check the caulking for cracks – especially around vents and A/C. Water is the bane of RVers and even the smallest crack can cause expensive damage and health issues if left unchecked.
  2. Tires - Check for cracks in the sidewall and in the treads. Then check the tire pressure. The proper tire pressure is usually on a plaque from the manufacturer inside the RV. Make sure each tire valve has a cover to keep dirt and grime out. Depending on your spring maintenance budget it may be time to look at purchasing and installing a Tire Pressure Management System (TPMS) which gives you real time data while on the road about your tire inflation.
  3. Appliances – You are not the only one who loves your RV. Clean your appliances including the outside access covers of spider webs, nests, dead insects etc. You can use light air pressure to blow out the dust but never high air pressure.
  4. Batteries – Hopefully you’ve connected your batteries to a deep cycle maintenance and charging system in your garage. In which they should be in great shape. Just clean off the terminals and install. If not… You’ll have to remove them, clean the terminals and put them on a charging unit to make certain they are up to snuff for your summer adventures. Make sure all power to and in the RV is off; wear rubber gloves and protective eyewear. It really is best to take the batteries into the professionals to have them tested. Never add new batteries to old, and make sure you reinstall them correctly.
  5. Propane system – It may have been fine when you put your RV into storage, but winter months can dry out seals causing leaks. Start by insuring all appliances are turned off, there are no flames or sparks and that your propane detector is on and functioning. Open the valves on the propane tanks and smell for any leaks. Use soapy water on the valves and hoses check for leaks – bubbles forming anywhere indicate a leak. Propane leak repairs are not for the DIYer. If you discover one take it to a professional.
  6. Water system - Make sure the hot water heater bypass valve is in the “normal” position and all faucets are closed. It’s best to use your “City Water” connections to fill your RV up for the first time. Turn on a hot and a cold-water faucet during the filling, allowing the air to escape until the water flows steady. Inspect all faucets and pipes for leaks. Inspect the water heater over pressure safety valve and the water heater drain plug (outside of RV) for leaks. After the water runs steady, turn off faucets and disconnect from your “City Water” connection. Then fill up fresh water in your tanks. Reopen a hot and cold-water faucet until water flow stops. Close the faucets. Switch the fresh water pump on. After the pump starts running, wait 20-30 minutes to hear if the pump cycles on again. If the pump cycles on, it indicates a pressure drop or leak. If the pump does not cycle on, the system should be ready to use. Make sure to run enough water through each faucet to be sure all RV antifreeze is out of your system.
  7. Appliances – Make you have tested the propane system (number 5) before testing your appliances and double check to make sure your propane leak detector is on. Fire up a stove burner to get the gas through the line then move on to your refrigerator. Lastly check your hot water heater making certain it is full of water first.
  8. Generator – Check the air filter to make sure no critters have built any nests and clean it if you didn’t last fall. Lack of fuel in the lines is usually while your generator doesn’t start immediately (water in the tank is the other – hopefully you put a fuel stabilizer in the tank in the fall).  Prime your generators fuel lines (first with whatever system it comes with) and start cranking. Give it a break every 15 seconds so your starter can cool down, repeat until your generator fires up. Let it warm up for 5 minutes and check the oil level.
  9. Waste System – Dump hoses don’t last forever. If there are any tears or holes it’s time for replacements. With the tanks empty, check the valves and their seals. Dried out seals can make the valves hard to move. If they are hard to move, purchase a replacement.
  10. Awnings – Extend your awnings looking for tears, holes and to see if anything has detached. If you’re having trouble opening it, the spring tension might need to be adjusted. This is also not a Do-It-Yourself job - take it in for service.

When in doubt – take it in for professional service. Attempting service or repairs when you’re unfamiliar with the system can cost more money (and grief) than having it done professionally. Remember, RVing is about relaxing and enjoying life, family and friends - not creating work for yourself.