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Travel season is here and that means you need to get your RV ready to go. There are several things I like to do before we hit the road for our spring and summer travels. Check the things on this list and you’ll be good to go.
Inspect the Exterior
Start with a full walk-around of your RV. Winter storage and weather exposure can take a surprising toll on the exterior. During your walk around, look for cracks or damage to the siding, loose trim or seals, signs of water intrusion, and rust or corrosion.
I make sure to pay special attention to seams and sealants around windows, doors, and roof edges. Sealant can dry out or crack over time, allowing water to seep in and cause some serious damage. Reseal any questionable areas using RV-specific sealant.
Check the Roof
The roof is one of the most critical—and often overlooked—areas of an RV. Even a small leak can lead to major damage. That often costs more to fix than the RV is even worth. To avoid this water damage, you will want to inspect the roof regularly and repair any damage immediately.
Start by cleaning the roof well. Inspect the entire roof for cracks, bubbles, or soft spots and make needed repairs. Check the seals around vents, skylights, and AC units and reseal with RV-specific sealant as needed. If your RV has a rubber roof, consider applying a protective treatment to extend its life.
Test Tires and Wheels
RV tires are super super important, and even if they look fine, they may have degraded during storage. I always make sure to inspect the tires for cracks or dry rot, uneven tread wear, and proper inflation levels before hitting the road, especially after the rig has been sitting in storage or at a campsite for an extended period of time.
While you’re at it, tighten lug nuts and inspect wheel bearings. If your RV has been sitting for a long time, repacking the bearings may be necessary. We make sure to do this every year or so.
Examine the Battery System
Batteries can lose charge or degrade over time, especially during colder months. Really, you should keep your batteries inside on a trickle charger during the winter, but if that doesn’t happen, you should check battery levels and recharge as needed, clean terminals, ensure connections are tight, and test battery performance. If you find that your RV battery struggles to hold a charge after winter storage, you might need to invest in a replacement battery.
Inspect the Electrical System
The battery isn’t the only part of your RV’s electrical system that you’ll want to check. You’ll also want to check the interior and exterior lights, test the power outlets, check the circuit breakers and fuses, and make sure the shore power connection is in good shape. This will ensure you are able to use all of your electrical appliances and outlets during your RV adventures.
Test the Plumbing System
In theory, if you cleaned and winterized your water system before putting your rig in storage the whole plumbing system should be good to go. That said, it doesn’t hurt to test things before hitting the road. Make sure to check that the tanks are holding water, test the water pump, try out the faucets and shower and look for leaks, and make sure the toilet works. You’ll also want to sanitize the system using an RV-safe cleaning solution to remove any bacteria or stale odors.
Check the Propane System
Propane is as important as the electrical and plumbing systems in an RV and being without it might mean you can’t cook, use hot water, or run your furnace. A damaged propane system can also be dangerous. Make sure to inspect your propane tanks for damage or rust, ensure valves open and close properly, and check hoses for cracks or leaks. You also need to get your propane tanks recertified if their certification is expired.
After doing these checks, turn on propane appliances and verify they ignite and operate correctly. If you smell gas at any point, shut off the system immediately and investigate.
Inspect Appliances
Of course, even if your propane and electricity are working perfectly, that doesn’t mean the appliances themselves will work.
Make sure to test the:
- Refrigerator (both electric and propane modes)
- Stove and oven
- Microwave
- Air conditioner
- Furnace
I like to run each appliance for a bit to confirm functionality and then clean filters in the AC and furnace to improve efficiency.
Test Safety Equipment
Safety devices are super important and definitely need to be tested. Check your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers to be sure they are all in good working order. Replace batteries and equipment as needed and verify that you fire extinguishers are fully charged and easily accessible.
Evaluate the Braking System
Obviously, you’ll want to make sure you and your family are safe on the road. This means keeping the brakes in good shape. Check brake pads, brake fluid levels, and trailer brake connections. If you notice any squeaking, grinding, or reduced stopping power, have a professional inspect the system before traveling.
Inspect Suspension and Undercarriage
The undercarriage is exposed to road debris, moisture, and temperature changes. Even while sitting still during the winter, it can be damaged and if that happens, it can be uncomfortable or even dangerous to travel with the RV. Look under the RV for worn suspension components, leaks in shocks or struts, and damage to the frame. If you din problems, address the issue right away in order to prevent further damage.
Inspect Awnings and Slide-Outs
While you’re outside, be sure to have a look at the slide outs and awning to make sure they are ready to go. Inspect awning fabric for tears and mildew and seals and alignment on your slides outs. Extend and retract these components to ensure smooth operation.
Clean the Interior
Even if I clean well before storing our RV, I always feel the need to deep clean after it has been sitting in storage before we can use it again. I try to focus on dusting, vacuuming, wiping everything down, and clearing windows and mirrors. While I’m cleaning, I look for signs of pests. We’ve only found mice a couple of times in our years of RVing, and both times, we werre able to eliminate the problem using mouse traps.
Restock Essentials
Once your RV is clean, make sure to restock it with all the essentials. Check that your first aid kit is complete. Check things like cooking utensils, bedding, towels and restock toiletries and cleaning supplies. Don’t forget camping-specific gear like leveling blocks, hoses, and electrical adapters!
Update Documentation
I’m not the best at keeping up with paperwork and it has been an issue on more than one occasion. You’ll want to make sure all paperwork is current and accessible. Check for your registration and insurance, roadside assistance coverage, and manuals and warranties. Having these documents organized and ready to use when needed can save time and stress during your trip.
Review Weight and Load Distribution
Overloading your RV is super easy to do. (Ask me how I know.) Unfortunately, it can lead to mechanical issues and safety hazards. When loading the RV, try to distribute weight as evenly as possible and avoid exceeding your RV’s cargo carrying capacity. It’s best to weigh your RV on a certified scale to ensure you aren’t overweight.
There’s a lot to think about before you take your RV back out after being stored for a period of time. Fortunately, it’s all pretty straightforward and shouldn’t take too long, meaning you’ll be in tip top shape and ready to hit the road in no time.
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