With this RV maintenance checklist, we want to help you identify problems early on. When you create and follow a good schedule, you keep your RV clean and safe. Moreover, you prolong the life of your motorhome and avoid the extensive, expensive repairs that come with major issues.
Additionally, you maintain a stronger resale value. With more to gain from a small time investment, following an RV maintenance checklist is a great thing to do.
Set Your Schedule
Generally, a good RV maintenance schedule has two components.
- A calendar of dates for your maintenance checks
- Your list of what to do
If you use the calendar on your phone, you have an easy way to set up a recurring event. When pen and paper is your forte, just be sure to mark off all the dates you need.
Moreover, there are different parts of your RV maintenance checklist that require different intervals. Here are the general sets of intervals people use.
- Weekly maintenance
- Monthly maintenance
- Quarterly maintenance
- Annual maintenance
Motorhomes also require mileage-based engine maintenance, so it’s crucial to pay attention to those as well. An easy solution for this is to include a mileage check on your to-do lists.
Depending on how often you use your RV, just choose whether to have that on your monthly or quarterly list. If you rent out your RV, a pre-rental and post-rental checklist is also a good idea. That helps to give and your renters peace of mind.
Maintaining Records
As you have your checklists together, it’s a good idea to maintain a log of your activities. This is especially true for anything that relates to the integrity and safety of the RV. For example, you might keep a binder handy with your completed checklists in order of date.
Just be sure to include the date of your check, what you looked for, whether they passed, and any replacements or repairs you take care of.
When you maintain a logbook, it’s proof that you carry out these tasks. For sale and insurance, it’s good to have this to demonstrate that you take proper care of the vehicle.
Quarterly RV Maintenance Checklist
As you put together your checklist, remember that every recreational vehicle is a bit different. Check the owners’ manual for maintenance recommendations specific to your model. Trailers and motorhomes both require different considerations specific to each.
If you have a trailer and a tow vehicle, maintain a checklist for each.
Electrical System
In order to run a safety test of your RV’s electrical system, connect it to shore power. First on your RV maintenance checklist is the circuit breaker and each fuse. Make sure they’re connected and functional.
Next, test the outlets, lights, and appliances. If anything isn’t working, there’s likely an electrical issue of some sort. Check any electric starters for a stove or furnace as well.
Lastly, check the voltage of the battery to ensure it holds its charge properly.
Propane System
Every RV has a propane leak detection system if it has a propane gas system. Typically, the sensor is near the floor. Make sure the detector has power with its test feature.
To check for leaks, open the main valve, close the doors and windows, and wait outside for a couple of hours. If an alarm goes off, there’s a propane leak. Seek assistance for this immediately.
Check Your Appliances
Every quarter, do a visual inspection and a functional inspection of every major appliance in your RV.
- Activate the burners on the stove.
- Try out the microwave.
- Look for the temperature of the fridge.
- Test any other appliance your RV has.
This part of your quarterly RV maintenance checklist should include a thorough cleaning. Additionally, listen for unusual sounds as you check the appliances.
If anything seems out of ordinary, have a professional check your RV right away.
Brakes & Your RV Maintenance Checklist
It’s a good idea to do a visual inspection of your brakes. First, research the type of brakes your RV has. Then, learn what to look for as you inspect them.
Generally, the most common issue is worn brake pads. Typically, you’ll hear some squeaking as you hit the brakes when they wear down. This notifies you that it’s about time to change them.
Additionally, a probable endoscope is a handy tool for this check as well as other inspection tasks. Moreover, it’s a good idea to do a live brake test to feel for irregularities in performance.
If you have a travel trailer, use contact cleaner to clean off the brake connector. Lastly, this is also a great time to inspect the breakaway switch. Make sure it looks like it’s in good shape.
Lubricate the Hinges & Locks
On your quarterly RV maintenance checklist, it’s a good idea to apply lubrication to the locks and hinges of your rig. Generally, it’s fine to use a household oil such as WD-40 for the hinges.
It shouldn’t take too much. Once you spray it, wipe away the excess with a paper towel. This helps you avoid streaks and stains.
For the locks, use a dry graphite lubricant. It might help to keep a subsection for places to lubricate on your checklist. Oftentimes, it’s quite easy to overlook some of the hinges you don’t use.
Lug Nuts
Look up the proper torque rating for your RV’s lug nuts and note it in your list. A torsion wrench will help you be precise with the torque of each lug nut.
Ideally, you do this with the wheel off the ground. However, you can also rotate the tire 180 degrees and make an adjustment.
Septic & Water Systems
On your quarterly RV checklist, be sure to include your black water, greywater, and freshwater tanks. The blackwater tank especially needs a good cleaning. Moreover, your filter system needs good maintenance.
If you haven’t used your RV for a while, run some bleach through the system followed by some clean water. This helps you remove any of the undesirable content from the freshwater tank.
Keep Your RV Adventure-Ready
When you maintain a good quarterly RV maintenance checklist, it helps you keep your RV adventure-ready. Routine maintenance ensures your safety on the road, which helps everyone else on the road, too.
Moreover, you have the ability to explore the world without having to worry about your rig. When you notice something wrong with your RV, bring it in for an inspection! Our expert techs are always ready to help you get back in road-ready condition.