Taking an RV across the country can be a fun and exciting way to see new places and enjoy time in the great outdoors. Since RV travel can be tough on your vehicle, you need to take the time to spend money on maintaining the outside of your RV to keep it running smoothly.
You should get into the habit of going on the roof often in order to make quick inspections. Spend time looking at the seams and edges, along with anything else that might be attached to the roof. This is an important step towards maintaining the exterior of your RV because any hold or rip can be a big entryway for moisture, which can cause a lot of issues for other parts of your vehicle.
Aside from watching for holes, take the time to sweep away any dirt or leaves that gets stuck on the roof. Be sure to quickly clear off any trash or dirt if its wet, since this can lead to mold and mildew. Keeping stride with some of these smaller issues will prevent bigger problems down the road while keeping your RV’s roof clean. This makes the entire vehicle look better and extends the operating life of your vehicle.
Be sure to get a good feeling for what the roof is made out of so you purchase the right cleaning supplies that are safe for the surface material. You should do the same for the sides of your RV so it can be properly cleaned and maintained.
Maintaining the exterior of your RV includes close scans of the sides and all other components, like storage bay doors, furnace events, and inlets. All of these are entry points for moisture and water, which can have a big impact on the overall integrity of your vehicle.
Reseal any sort of rips and breaks on the sidewall openings if you spot them. If the breakage is small, a silicon sealant is usually fine. If it is bigger, spend the money to totally remove the component and then replace it with a fresh coat of sealant.
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Checking for black streaks caused by neglect, dirt, moisture, and time is another important part of maintaining the exterior of your RV. These streaks can signify damage and do not look good, but they can be removed. Just be sure to moisten a cloth with black streak remover instead of actually putting the solution on your RV. You will also need to apply a new coat of wax to any areas the streak remover was placed on because components in the solution strip wax.
An inspection of the exterior should include a look at the fiberglass caps at the front and rear ends. Watch for oxidation of these pieces and the cracking that can occur as a result. You might need to patch up some of the cracks or replace them entirely if they start to break down too much. Be sure to wax or polish these caps.
Finally, remember to check the undercarriage of your RV. This is a forgotten exterior surface that can be home to animals and a lot of gaps in the plumbing that can be overlooked. Be sure to maintain and repair any loose or damaged sections and stay alert to anything that does not look normal.
Do you have a question about maintaining your RV’s exterior? Click here to contact the RV Shop today!
Courtesy of Cuselleration
