Keeping your RV Looking new and Running Forever!
Writer John Linden
The current market outlook for recreational vehicles
2020 has been a devastating year for many economies around the globe, and travel restrictions and quarantine orders have brought international travel to a screeching halt. Many people are left stuck inside feeling restless, which is ultimately leading to an unforeseen phenomenon: a boom in the sales of recreational vehicles.
Once the initial scare of the virus came and passed, things quickly improved for the industry. Many people wanted a way to travel domestically and enjoy the great outdoors while still safely following social distancing recommendations. This pandemic has also been a huge boom for remote working and schooling technologies, with many turning their work-from-home jobs into work-from-anywhere jobs by turning their recreational vehicles into mobile offices.
If there’s any silver lining in this awful pandemic, it may be that families get back to the basics of camping, fishing, boating, hiking and biking together.
How to clean your RV inside and out
Whether you’re one of the new RV owners just getting into the game, or a veteran to the lifestyle on your fourth or fifth model, you’ll need to do the proper maintenance to keep your investment in top condition for decades to come.
The first thing you’ll want to do is keep your RV clean, both inside and out. Not only does cleaning keep it looking nice and new, it also gives you the opportunity to go over your vehicle with a fine-tooth comb to make sure there aren’t any repairs needed. It’s a lot better to find a leak in your roof while washing your RV on a nice sunny day than it is to discover it during a torrential downpour while you’re sleeping.
You’ll need a hose, bucket, quality automotive soap, a long-handle brush with soft bristles and a step ladder. Always work from the top down — the bottom of the vehicle is usually the dirtiest and you don’t want to rub that grit and grime all over your paint. Hose off any excess dirt before you begin scrubbing and rinse off the brush frequently before starting another section.
Once your RV is washed and dried, using a quality automotive wax can provide an added layer of protection to your paint. Tree sap, bugs, branches, road salt, road tar, acid rain and even UV rays can wreak havoc on your paint job. When you’re ready to wax, park it in a shady spot and allow the paint to cool off — waxing in the sun will cause the wax to dry too quickly, making it difficult to remove.
Take care of your roof
The weakest point of any RV is the roof. It’s exposed to the elements far more than any other part of your vehicle: rain, sun, snow, ice, hail, falling tree branches and sap. Over time this can wear away at the seams and cause leaks. Another bad thing about the roof is we rarely see it — it’s mostly out of sight, out of mind until you notice water trickling down the interior wall one rainy day.
Be sure to inspect your roof regularly. If you’re buying a used RV, it’s absolutely critical that you thoroughly inspect the roof before buying. Try to park your RV under a roof when it’s not in use, and keep a caulk gun handy with a few tubes of marine silicone.
Always do a pre-trip inspection
- Check your oil levels. Look for any signs of leaks dripping in the engine bay or any oil puddles on the ground below.
- Check your engine battery. Batteries can lose up to 10% of their capacity every month while sitting in storage.
- Check your belts and hoses. Scan for any signs of cracks or corrosion.
- Check that your tires are inflated to the proper pressure and have sufficient tread remaining.
- Check all your lights, both headlights and turn signals. Be sure you have spare bulbs and fuses handy.
- Make sure you have the proper tool kit and spare parts to fix a blown-out tire.
- Keep a quality fire extinguisher mounted in an easily accessible place in both the cab and the living space.
Enjoy your next adventure
At first glance, RV ownership can seem somewhat overwhelming. However, with just a little basic maintenance you and your family can get many great seasons of joy out of your RV.