RVs are notorious for being expensive, difficult to work on, and generating vast waste. Everything from the engine to the electrical wiring system is complex, but all RV owners make it seem simple. Of course, we’re not all mechanics, but RV owners love their homes on wheels. RVs take a particular type of person to own them, and you can always tell when someone has owned one for years. Maintaining your RV well is much more than throwing on RV covers. If you are an RV owner that wants to take good care of your home on wheels (or if your RV needs maintenance), pay attention to the following suggestions and tips that are part of this comprehensive guide to RV maintenance.

Batteries

You should always buy an RV-specific battery charger and set the RV’s voltage regulator to 13.6 volts (unless otherwise stated). Many RVs have an automatic voltage regulator that sets the voltage automatically, so unless your manual says different or having low power could damage your appliances or engine, leave it alone.

Engine oil

RV engines require SAE 5W-30 oil, and it’s a good idea to use an additive like a Liqui Moly Oil Additive. You should change your RV engine oil every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first. RV engine oil is expensive, so remember that you can’t reuse engine oil, or else it will cause many problems with the RVs engine, and a lot of maintenance is needed after that. Check the manual to find out what kind of oil your RV takes. If your RV uses an automatic transmission, note that automatic transmission fluid can be expensive, and it should be changed every 1,000 to 3,000 miles (depending on the model.

RV Appliances

Water Heaters

RV water heaters require RV antifreeze or RV propylene glycol. Water heaters require RV-specific antifreeze and an antifreeze additive that protects the RV’s water heater from freezing in up to -58 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures.

Furnaces

RV furnaces require diesel furnace fuel additives. They also need RV furnace diesel, a heat-exchanger cleaner additive, which helps prevent RV appliances from clogging up, and furnace oil treatment that coats the furnace’s internal parts to help protect them against rust and corrosion.

Furnace filters should be replaced once a month because furnace filters are RV-specific air filters that keep RV appliances from clogging up, which could cause problems with appliances, engine maintenance, and the RV’s parts.

Washers, Dryers & Dishwashers

RV washers and dishwashers require specific RV washer fluid and dishwasher soap. Since they don’t leave a lot of suds, they do need RV-specific dishwasher soap that prevents the dirt in your clothes or dishes from clogging up your RV’s appliances.

RV dryers require RV-specific vent seals to reduce air leakage while the heating system is running, such as RV-specific sealing tape or duct seal. In addition, RV dryers require RV furnace oil treatment that coats the RV’s parts to help protect them against rust and corrosion.

Refrigerator

Refrigerators require RV-specific refrigerator propylene glycol coolant, which is expensive but essential for your RV’s maintenance program. It protects the RV’s water lines from freezing at any temperature. In addition, RV refrigerators have a water filter that traps sediment in the RV’s water system. If your RV doesn’t have a built-in filter, you can buy an RV-specific water filter cartridge instead to protect the RV’s appliances.

Slide Rooms

Maintenance of RV slide rooms is essential; you should remove RV slide room covers and lubricate RV slide rooms regularly (1 – 2 times per month, depending on the model). RV slides rooms require motor oil or hydraulic fluid, which you can find out by reading the manual. Most also require RV-specific lubricant for the slides themselves. It’s a good idea to check your slide room screens at least once every six months – before each new season if possible, for trash that could block them up.

Tires & Tire Covers

RV tires should be rotated every oil change. Maintaining the correct tire pressure up to 35 psi is crucial for your RV’s tires. RV-specific TPMS sensors are costly, but they monitor RV tire pressure and alert when there is a problem with any RV’s tires.

Tire covers are RV-specific wheel covers that fit onto your RV’s tires to protect them from getting damaged while they’re parked or when you tow them. They also help prevent RV tires from drying out and add a little bit of security against theft. RV tire covers use tire lube, which is used to keep RV tires from cracking and splitting. In addition, RV tire covers require RV-specific RV wheel chocks, which prevent the RV from rolling while it’s parked or being towed.

Steps & Ladder

RV steps should be lubricated every month. It’s a good idea to check them at least once a year, too, for loose bolts, missing nuts, and rust that could weaken any of the RV’s parts. RV steps use step hydraulic fluid that can get expensive if you need a lot of it. You can also replace the RV step hydraulic cylinders every three years or 50,000 miles – whichever comes first on your engine oil changes schedule. If your  RV has a specific RV step hydraulic hose, it’s a good idea to replace the RV step hydraulic valve on your engine oil changes schedule.

General Maintenance

RV Winterization

It is essential to winterize your RV before storing it for winter. You can do this by draining RV plumbing lines, using antifreeze for the water lines, toilets, and holding tanks (except if you live in an area where the temperature never goes below freezing), disconnecting the battery, and soiling the freshwater tank aluminum rims. Washing machines are RV-specific high-pressure washers that pull fresh water with a water pump to blast off dirt, grime, and bugs from your RV’s surface. RV freshwater systems should be flushed every three years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first on your engine oil changes schedule. You can also remove RV freshwater tank water filters to clean holding tanks. RV freshwater lines are RV-specific RV RV power washers that use RV fresh water with an RV water pump to blast away dirt, grime, and bugs from your RV’s exterior surface.

Polish

Polish for aluminum rims are an essential part of your RV maintenance schedule because it helps make sure all the tight spots on your RV stay polished and sealed – preventing rust and corrosion over time. RV aluminum polish protects the aluminum rims from contaminants such as tree sap, mud, bird droppings, and road salt, which can eat through the metal over time if not cleaned off immediately. 

RVs have a lot of appliances and systems that require special care. If you use the wrong products for your appliances and systems, it would be like trying to cut up a steak with a chainsaw and then expecting it to be tender. If you neglect your RV, what should take minutes can make your RV rust and corrode, which will take hours to fix. And then when all that stuff happens, what should have taken seconds will turn into days or weeks of work and expenses you don’t want to incur. It is vital to keep up with essential RV maintenance. When you use the tips from this comprehensive RV maintenance guide, your RV will stay healthy and ready to ride!