Whether you’re off for the weekend for a year-long cross-country road trip, you want to make sure your RV is ready for action. While your checklist will vary according to where you’re going and how long you’ll be on the road, there are a few essentials everyone should review.
Key Takeaways
- You’ll want to check your RV from head to toe, especially right before a big road trip, and we can help!
- There are four major items you should check first: the roof, tires, mechanics, and tow hitch.
- Before you test your RV systems, examine them for signs of wear and tear.
- Finally, test each of your RV’s major systems to ensure they’re in good working order.
General Inspection
Long before you begin your travel plans, you need a full inspection of your RV. At Schoner, we offer a full roadworthiness test. We’ll inspect all of your RV’s mechanical and electrical systems, so you'll know if there are any problems you need to tackle before you hit the road.
Four Major Factors
Once you have a handle on your RV’s roadworthiness, there are four big factors you need to check a month or so before your trip.
The Roof
Because roof sealant can wear away over time, your RV’s roof requires regular inspection, care, and maintenance. Examine the roof for cracks, and run your hand over the surface to check for broken sealant. Look for white residue, which is a sign the coating is disintegrating. You can also wash the roof and check for leaks inside the RV. If you need sections of the roof replaced or resealed, the time is now.
Tires
You should check your tires about once a month, whether you’re planning to travel or not. About a month before your trip, tire inspection becomes even more important. An old or worn tire could cause a blowout, leading to an accident.
To check your tires, examine them for cracks, specially on the sidewalls and in the treads. If the tires have reached the manufacturer’s expiration date (usually around six years), replace them. Finally, secure the lug nuts and fill the tires to the correct PSI.
Mechanics
Just like during your annual maintenance check, you’ll want to have all mechanical parts checked by a professional before you leave. Key components of this inspection include your fluids, filters, brakes, axles, and differentials. You’ll also want to ensure your belts, hoses, and wiring are in good condition. With all these components in working order, you can get where you’re going without a hitch.
You should also check to see that your headlights, taillights, fog lights, and horn are in good working order. You’ll want to make sure you can see where you’re headed and that other drivers can hear from you!
Tow Hitch
Planning to take a few toys with you? Make sure your hitch and towing gear are in good working order. Inspect your hitch components for corrosion or wear. It’s also a good idea to get the sway control system and weight distribution hitch components checked out by a professional! You’ll also want to take a look at all electrical connections, cables, and chains to ensure they’re in good condition.
Prep Your RV Systems
Before you do a test run of each of your RV systems, you’re going to want to give them the once-over. Depending on your RV’s features, the list inspection points could be a long one. Systems can include a water heater, HVAC system, freshwater tank, batteries, and propane system. You’ll also want to give the seals around your windows and doors the once-over, too. Items you should check include:
- Batteries
- Propane system
- Freshwater tank
- Water heater
- HVAC components
- Window and door seals
- Topper and awning fabric (including tubes, arms, and wiring)
- Steps, slide-outs, slide toppers, windows, awnings, and patio decks
- Slide-out seals and visible mounting points
Test RV Systems
In addition to verifying the condition of your systems, you’ll also want to test them to make sure they’re in working order. For example, make sure your power generator is running correctly. Test-drive your propane and electric appliances, too, such as your oven, water heater, air-conditioner, microwave, or refrigerator.
Systems you should test include:
- Electrical generator
- Water pump and water heater
- Ventilation fans
- Air conditioning
- Refrigerator
- Oven
- Microwave
- Electric appliances
- Gas appliances
- Lights
- RV jacks
We Can Help!
At Schoner, we know RVs. If you need help checking anything from your model’s powertrain to its HVAC components, give us a call! We’ll have your RV in tip-top shape for your next adventure.