Caring for your RV can be intimidating. After all, anything you forget has the power to mess up a much-anticipated camping trip! To help ease the worry we have compiled a list of important maintenance services and divided them into groups depending on how often they need to be completed. Keep in mind that this is intended to be a helpful reminder and is not necessarily a complete list of maintenance needed for your specific RV. Refer to your owner's manual and consult your service center about needs for your specific RV.

Trouble remembering when you last completed maintenance items? We created a handy list to help you keep track of the dates you completed maintenance.

Download Our Maintenance Tracker List (pdf)

Before Each Trip

Please note that we are only including maintenance items and this is not a complete pre-trip checklist.

• Examine Tires Check tire pressure and look for any rotting, cracks, excessive wear, etc. Don't forget the spare!

• Check Lights Make sure all your driving lights are in good working condition.

• Check/Sweep Roof Check the roof for debris and damage.

• Check Awning and Slides Make sure any awnings and slides are able to fully retract and are seated correctly.

Monthly

• Start Your Engines If you have a motorhome or a generator, you need to start and run both for 15-20 minutes once per month to keep everything lubricated and in good running condition.

• Check Under Hood Even if you have zero skills as a mechanic, it's still a good idea to look under the hood of your motorhome about once a month. This helps you get familiar with how it looks so you are better able to spot a problem should one arise.

• Top Off Batteries Be sure to keep the water in your batteries at the correct level, and always use distilled water!

• Clean A/C Vacuum any dust and dirt out of your A/C vents and intakes, and clean and check your filters.

• Test Safety Equipment Make sure those smoke/LP/CO2 detectors are in good working condition. Check the gauge on your fire extinguisher, or if there is no gauge there is most likely a push-to-test button. If the gauge shows low pressure or the push-to-test button does not pop back up, it's time to recharge or replace your extinguisher. Also check the date!

• Pest Control Bugs and rodents can cause big issues so keep up with whatever pest control method you prefer.

• Slide Maintenance Check and lube your slides and slide seals.

• Inspect for Damage Do a visual inspection, inside and out. Outside you will want to check for any visible damage: dents, dings, tears, cracks, etc. Inside, check roof, floor, and walls, especially in corners, for any moisture, discoloration, or soft spots.

• Check Seals Check your seals often. Look for cracked or pealing seals or anywhere a seal is bubbled up.

Seasonal

• Check/Change Motorhome Fluids Check oil, coolant, washer fluid, etc.

• Clean and Wax Waxing your RV is a big job but regular washing and waxing will help it look new for much longer!

• Lubricate Metals Lubricate metal-on-metal friction points like steps, jacks, and hitches (with the exception of certain sway-control hitches that should not be lubricated).

• Check Underbelly Look for any evidence of water leaks, road damage, or pests.

Yearly

• Service Brakes and Axles Your RV is a vehicle and, even if you don't drive it near as often as your car or truck, you need to make sure the brakes and axles are well maintained.

• Inspect LP Tanks Visually inspect for damage and check certification dates.

• Reseal Even if you inspect your seals every month, it is a good idea to reseal yearly.

• Sanitize Water System Add cup of bleach to full water tank and let sit for 24 hours. Empty, fill and flush until the bleach smell is gone.

• Check Supplies Check items that you don't use every trip, like first aid kit, batteries, fuses, etc. It is important to refill these supplies as you use them, but sometimes we forget so it is a good idea to check them on a regular schedule.

• Change Batteries in Detectors Just like in your home, the batteries in your smoke, CO2, and LP detectors need to be changed regularly.