By Mike Brown, RV Mechanic in Orlando, FL – Over 10 Years Experience
There’s no alternative to the unparalleled freedom that comes with the open road. Whether you are a part-time weekend traveler, a camper during the week, or a full-time traveler, owning an RV truly opens up possibilities. That said, seasoned RVers know the immense responsibilities attached to owning one—especially keeping it functioning properly and maintaining it.
I’m Mike Brown. I’ve been an RV repair mechanic in Orlando for over a decade now. I’ve worked with a plethora of customers ranging from snowbird retirees to families and have realized a common trend – simple maintenance could have prevented expensive repairs.
I understand everyone has a busy life, and not everyone has the time and expertise to handle everything on their own. The good news, however, is that anyone can keep their RV in shape without professional help—by adopting a few small, consistent habits.
Regardless if you are just beginning your RV journey or have extensive experience with towing, these straightforward maintenance tips I offer each of my clients may help. These are not difficult and don’t require a lot of effort. Simple activities help ensure the RV is operating efficiently and prepared for upcoming journeys.
Now, let’s explore those tips.
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Check Your Roof Seals Every 3 Months
This is one tip that requires special emphasis. RV roofs sustain serious abuse due to rain, heat, UV rays, and even falling debris. The moment sealant around the roof’s edge, vents, or skylights vents forms even the tiniest fissure, water has access to infiltrate. The tricky part is that leaks can go undetected for a long time. Drips within walls can lead to the growth of mold, rot, and electrical deterioration long before you catch wind of a problem.
Protecting your investment only takes a few minutes every couple months. I suggest actively looking for problems, and in worst case scenarios applying self-leveling lap sealant. Consider the benefits of early action vs waiting too long. Self-level lap seal technique costs about $10 while waiting too long can cost you thousands.
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Keep Tires Properly Inflated
RV tires can experience wear and tear either from long periods of inactivity or under-inflation. Cellular atrophy occurs when the tire loses pressure, thus creating uneven wear and overheating which is exceptionally dangerous during summer months.
However, to mitigate these issues, check tire pressure before each journey. Stress testing the product ensures optimal conditions, provided that the suggested levels stated by the manufacturer are followed. In addition, if the RV is kept stationary for an extended duration, invest in tire covers to minimize exposure to the sun and prevent rot.
Not only are tire blowouts hazardous, but they can also result in structural damage from plumbing to flooring. Spending merely five dollars on a pressure gauge will provide one the ability to avoid costly repairs down the line.
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Flush the Water System (Especially After Storage)
While your RV sits unused, especially in warmer and more humid areas like Florida, water lines become breeding grounds for bacteria. Finding out the hard way and getting sick, or worse, dealing with expensive clogs and damage to your water heater or water pump, is not worth the risk.
Every season (or after a long period of storage), proactively avoid issues by sanitizing your water system. For this, fill your freshwater tank with a bleach solution of about ¼ cup of bleach for every 15 gallons of water, run it through all faucets, then let it sit for a few hours. Afterward, flush everything with fresh water until the bleach smell is gone.
Minimal effort on your end to ensure the system is clean yields tangible value. In this case, protecting your family, and ensuring your RV water tastes fresh.
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Clean and Protect the Slide-Out Seals
Slide-outs are fantastic—they provide additional space and comfort. However, they do contain rubber seals which are prone to damage from the elements. If the seals dry out or crack, water can get in, leading to damage such as rotting wood, swollen floors, or mold growth.
Every couple of months, cleaning the seals with a damp cloth and applying rubber seal conditioner helps maintain flexibility and keeps the seal tight. It also reduces squeaking when the slide moves. If you’ve ever experienced a jammed or leaky slide, then you understand how costly and maddening those repairs can be.
Consider it moisturizing for your RV. This helps stave off premature aging and keeps everything functioning effortlessly.
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Run the Generator Regularly
Preserving and maintaining tools, devices, or even vehicles often grant the owner little to no problems in the future. However, one of the most common issues is when an owner lets a device sit unused; especially is a gasoline generator. Much like a car, a gasoline generator needs to be maintained, preserved, and run on a regular basis to unlock its full potential. Leaving gas in the generator for a long period of time will cause it to gunk up with residue, which can damage the delicate insides of the device. As a result, when the vehicle is finally needed during an emergency situation, the lack of preservation will cause the generator not to turn on or even refuse to start when a load is added.
In contrast, a lack of fuel system issues can be maintained by monthly checkups Fuel systems are repaired when the device is run regularly, but if ignored can result in a myriad of more severe damaging issues. A good solution would be to turn on the vehicle’s AC and run the generator for 30 minutes each month. In case of two months, try turning on a microwave or any electric appliance. Running the device under a load not only provides lubrication but helps burn off excess moisture that settles while the device is idle.
Having your gasoline generator checked on a monthly basis allows them to be in perfect condition for when fuel is required the most. Fuel devices could be especially useful for people who are camping in with no access to pumping stations or power outlets.
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Check the Battery and Keep It Charged
House batteries power everything from lights to water pumps in an RV, which means that your entire system relies on a singular battery. A dead or failing lead acid battery is not only expensive to maintain but requires vigilance and attention to resources.
In long-term storage, either disconnecting a battery to avoid slow drain or maintaining a connection to trickle chargers often improves preservation. During regular usage, avoiding corrosion build-up, monitoring voltage with multimeters, and maintaining appropriate water levels, bolster’s reliability.
Maintaining and preserving batteries optimally enhances efficiency and economy. Conserving replicable resources and electronics results in less waste and reduced costs.
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Lubricate Hinges, Locks, and Moving Parts
A squeaky step on a recreational vehicle (RV) or a door that only budges with a stubborn tug are minor annoyances. These inconveniences do create long-term wear and tear that can lead to worse problems.
To keep mechanical parts functioning smoothly, use a dry silicone spray or white lithium grease on hinges, locks, stabilizer jacks, windows tracks, and any other parts that move. Do this every few months, or when any of the devices starts complaining with a squeak.
The maintenance outlined above is extremely useful to prevent rust, seizing, and wear, which can increase operational costs.
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Inspect the Brakes
Considering your RV may weigh several tons—especially when loaded to capacity—the brakes stand out as one of your key safety systems. Unfortunately, like many other systems, they tend to be neglected until an issue arises.
Have a professional check your brakes at least once a year or every 10,000–12,000 miles, particularly if you tow a trailer or have a heavier rig. Look for worn pads, weak drum brakes, or some problem with the wiring if you use electric brakes.
Timely inspection and repair of brakes minimizes the risk of sustaining damage to your axles or wheels and helps avoid more expensive repairs in the future. More importantly, having reliable brakes while navigating a mountain pass provides invaluable peace of mind.
Final Thoughts from the Garage
Logistics in maintaining your RV should not be stressful, Precision Care unnecessary expenses. Most maintenance tasks which impact how well the RV performs do not demand too much effort; they can be done in your driveway, at a camp site, or even as you refuel before embarking on a trip. It requires simple good habits and being attentive to the signs that your RV needs small repairs.
Some RVs I have worked on had severe problems just 3 years after purchase due to lack of sufficient maintenance throughout its lifespan. In contrast, I have come across older RVs which had intricate and thorough systems well over 15 or 20 years old but maintained basic principles throughout its lifespan. This is an exemplary case showcasing that no matter how old or new your RV is, deserves dependable treatment.
Your RV is not merely a mode of transportation, but your mobile home. It allows you to visit your favorite destinations, facilitates creating unforgettable memories with loved ones, and grants the freedom that many only fantasize about. A mobile home that takes care of such vital needs deserves to be treated right, for it enables all of that to you.
Run your water system, clean your water systems, check the efficiency of your generator, and inspect your tires. Over time, all of these small actions add up to a big difference. If you do them consistently, all of the breakdowns, expensive repairs, and surprise issues that threaten to ruin your vacations can be avoided.
Feel free to call or drop by my shop if you need any assistance in the Orlando area. I love to ensure that fellow RV lovers are kept safe and fully enjoy the freedom that the open roads provide. So, if there’s ever anything that you want to ask, do not hesitate to reach out.
May you have countless calm campsites, restful miles, and trips devoid of stress.
— Mike Brown
Certified RV Mechanic – Orlando, FL
Helping RVers hit the road with confidence for over 10 years
