Getting your RV Spring ready

Maintenance is one of those things that is not only necessary for your home but also necessary for your camper. By maintaining your camper/rv, you are putting in the extra steps to help prevent or stop water intrusions, tire blowouts or having an air conditioner stop working in the middle of the summer. 

Below is a list of maintenance items that should be accomplished prior to your 1st trip on getting your RV Spring ready. The below steps are a quick guide and not the full and complete steps required. 

• Roof - Climb up on the roof and take a look at the sealant and silicone to see if any needs to be repaired/replaced. The roof is one of the main areas where water intrusion happens.

• Seals - look to see if your slideout seals are rotted or deteriorated. If so, replace them. If not, clean the seals with a dry silicone spray or dry PTFE spray.

• Hydraulic Leveling System - Wipe the shaft off with a dry rag and then lightly spray them with the same spray as mentioned above. Let it dry before bringing the legs in/up. This should really be done after every rain.

• Water Heater - Clean the water heater with vinegar. Be sure turn the bypass valve so that it doesn’t go into the plumbing lines. You want the vinegar to set in there overnight or 8-12 hours. Drain the tank and fill with fresh water, then drain the tank again. This helps get all of the calcium that was built up in there, out. Inspect your anode rod, if you have one.

• A/C Cleaning - You might not be using the A/C right away but you will want to be sure it is cleaned before you need to. By cleaning the A/C you are letting it breathe. A/C’s become clogged with dirt, leaves, bugs, etc. This would be good a good time to check the capacitor as well but this needs to be done by a trained professional.

• Tires - Check the pressure on all tires, check wear and tear, as well as look at the tread.

• Wheel Bearings - If you have not repacked your bearings within the past year or 12,000 miles, you need to do so. While doing this, inspect the leaf springs, hubs and brakes. If you have wet bolts (zerk fittings) check these as well. Inspect your shackles.

• Battery - Check for corrosion on terminals and the water level in Lead Acid batteries

• Life Safety - Replace the battery in your smoke alarm, check your fire extinguisher for pressure