The winter was long and your RV got some much needed
beauty rest. Or, more than likely, just rest. If you live in an area with snow,
it’s likely your vehicle weathered a few winter storms over the past season.
Now that the weather is warming up and the kids are almost out of school, it’s
time to start preparing your vehicle for the next vacation. Check these areas
for any potential damage and get your RV ready to go for the summer!
Inspect
the RV’s exterior
Check for any water damage that could have occurred
from accumulated rain or snow during the winter months. Inspect areas around
doors, windows, and vents to make sure there are no present cracks. After
determining no cracks in your RV, remove collected dust and dirt with a gentle
RV wash soap.
Examine
your vehicles’ tires
Double check for any cracks that could have spread in
your tires. If any are present, visit your local tire store and invest in new
tires that will get you through the season. If no cracks are present, double
check the recommended air pressure for your tires. This information can usually
be found in your owner’s manual.
Check
your battery
It is possible for batteries to freeze in the low
temperatures of the winter. If this occurs, cracks in the battery could prevent
it from working. If none are found, disconnect the battery and begin cleaning
any signs
of corrosion that might have developed over the winter season. If you do
find cracks, visit the RV Shop’s website for a replacement battery
for your vehicle.
Test
the water system
Another important step in getting your RV ready for
summer travel is testing out your vehicle’s water system. Drain the water tank,
check that your vehicle’s hot water heater bypass valve is in the correct
position, and make sure the faucets are closed. Then, begin to fill your RV
with both hot and cold water and watch for any leaks or cracks that might have
developed. It is also a good idea to consider sanitizing the water
system before taking your vehicle out on the road.
Evaluate
the conditions of your appliances
You will want to make sure your appliances are in proper
working order. Test the stove by lighting one of the burners. Once this is proving
to be in good working condition, begin testing out other appliances like the refrigerator,
furnace, and water heater. For any appliances no longer working, visit the RV
Shop and find the perfect
replacement for your RV’s missing appliance.
Inspect
the waste tank valves
Before this next step, make sure to empty out your waste tank before looking any further. Once this has been completed, inspect
that the waste tank valves are still correctly sealed and are opening and
closing properly. If the valves are hard to open, either invest in a lubricant
spray or replace the valves.
Test
the vehicle’s detectors
Finally, double check that the detectors in your vehicle are working properly. If you know that the batteries could be running low on your smoke, propane, and carbon monoxide detectors, it might be a smart idea to replace the batteries and avoid them dying later on.
If you find any parts on your vehicle that need
replacing, visit the RV Shop for a guaranteed
speedy delivery so you can ensure the safety of your RV and get out on the road
for some fun summer travel!
