Jim Ingram - Instructor RV Dept. - Okanagan College
Before the first trip there are a few things that, for safeties sake (and your peace of mind), should be looked over – especially if you haven’t checked them over recently. Just because its sitting doesn’t mean its not breaking down.
Running gear, axles, springs, brakes and wheels tend to be forgotten about until they develop problems. Being underneath the RV, out of sight and out of mind, maintenance is often overlooked. Tires should be checked for uneven wear and proper inflation on a regular basis. Tires wearing unevenly could indicate alignment or wheel bearing problems. Brakes and bearings should be visually inspected at least once a year. If a unit sits for most of the year this is all the more reason to have the bearings inspected. The rolling elements of a bearing tend to imprint themselves into the outer races when sitting for long periods; this causes rough running and bearing failure. Spring bushings and bolts wear underneath the bolt head and nut, making wear difficult to detect. The only sure method of inspection is to remove one or two bolts and visually examine each bolt and its mating bushing for wear. Broken spring leaves, bent rims, and damaged axles also cause uneven tire wear. Springs, axles and rims are normally inspected when work is being done on brakes and bearings.
The gas system needs to be leak tested and pressure tested every year. An RV is subjected to many different forces when it is moving down the road. These forces are bound to transmit themselves to the gas distribution system as well as the appliances. The only way to be sure that the gas train is OK and not leaking or damaged, is by having a gas test done. A proper gas test consists of three different tests, a working pressure test, a lockup test, and a leak test. The working pressure test is done with a gas manometer and tests the output pressure of the system regulator with at least seventy percent of the appliances running. This ensures that the gas is being delivered to the appliances at the proper pressure and volume. The lockup test is testing the pressure that the system regulator shuts off at. If this pressure is too high appliance controls can be damaged or leak. The leak test is exactly that and tests whether there is a gas leak in any part of the system from the valve at the cylinder to each appliance valve. A leak test ensures all the piping and connections in the propane system are tight and sealed.
The electrical system checks in a spring checkup should actually be something that is done almost every time the RV is going on the road. Any time the RV is being prepared for a trip there should be a check of all outside lights and reflectors as well as a check on the charge line and brake connections. I always recommend a circle check be done as part of the Pre-trip prep. A circle check is nothing more than taking a walk around the rig to ensure that all clearance, brake and signal lights are in working order. Before plugging the trailer connector into the tow vehicle plug check the contacts and make sure that they are clean and positioned properly. Make sure that the plug fits into the socket portion correctly and tightly. When first pulling away from your parking spot drag the brakes a bit, this proves that they are working and also gets rid of moisture on the shoes that can cause erratic braking.
By doing these few checks before the first trip of the year, you will definitely make a difference to your peace of mind, hopefully avoiding any costly on-the-road repairs later on.
Happy Camping!