I believe that is safe to assume that we all want to save money when we can, especially in this economy. Please see below for a few things that you can do with tools that you probably already have and some things that you can purchase from places that you are already shopping from. Please keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive by any means. We have made FREE printable checklists of recommended maintenance items that if performed, can extend the life of your RV, assist in keeping your RV on the road with fewer breakdowns, and make your RV ownership experience more enjoyable. This list can be found in the Downloads Section or by clicking the link at the bottom of this page. It is highly recommended that you have a qualified RV Technician oversee and perform your maintenance. The RV technician is trained to perform your RV maintenance safely and correctly. Whether you do things yourself or hire us to do it for you there is no doubt that you will save money over the life of your RV.
The RV batteries are responsible for providing power to your RV lighting, water heater, Furnace, leveling system and so much more. There is really no such thing as a maintenance-free battery. You should clean your terminals and make sure the connections are tight at least twice a year or when you see corrosion. This applies to all battery types (Lithium, AGM, Gel and Lead Acid). You will need the following items: Gloves, a wrench or socket to disconnect/connect the battery terminals, a mixture of 1 Cup of water and 1 Tablespoon of Baking Soda (and something to put it in), another cup of water (for rinsing), an old toothbrush, a disposable rag, and some petroleum jelly. Once you have these items you can follow this procedure (in order): 1. Disconnect the battery disconnect switch (if applicable). 2. Disconnect the negative battery terminal. 3. Disconnect the positive battery terminal. 4. Use the brush and the mixture of water and baking soda to clean the terminals. 5. Rinse off residue and dry with a rag. 6. Apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly to the terminals (helps prevent corrosion). 7. Connect the positive terminal. 8. connect the negative terminal. 9. Turn the battery switch back on (if desired and applicable). The above procedure should be done for all battery types. If you have Lead Acid batteries that have service caps then there is some additional maintenance required after you have cleaned the terminals. It is VERY important to make sure that your Lead Acid batteries have the proper water level. The fastest way to kill your batteries is to ignore the water level! Not to mention the fact that improperly filled batteries can explode! I recommend the following be done once a month if you are plugged into shore power at the RV park but no less than once every 2 months regardless.
You will need some Distilled/De-ionized water. It is a good idea to have a couple of gallons on hand as you will always be able to use it. Batteries don't like minerals that are found in tap water or regular bottled water so please don't use it. A small funnel is helpful but not necessary. A little overspill of water onto your battery will not hurt it but you can get a rag if you are worried about it. A small flathead screwdriver will also come in handy (to remove service caps). Here's how you check/add water to your batteries: 1. Make sure the battery disconnect is off (or disconnect the negative battery terminal). 2. remove the service caps with the screwdriver (gently pry the caps off. it does not take a great deal of force). You will see several holes and if you look in them you will see the battery plates. 3. Add the distilled/de-ionized water to the top of the battery plates in every hole. When you add the water, you will be lowering the charge of the battery so let it charge completely once this procedure is complete. 4. Gently snap the caps back on. 5. connect the negative terminal or turn the disconnect switch back on. 6. Let the battery charge completely. 7. Once charging is complete, check the water levels again.
If you do the above maintenance to your batteries you will extend their life and usefulness. This will result in having to replace them less often which means you will save money!
Your power cable/cord is what allows you to experience all of the creature comforts inside of your RV such as the AC, Microwave, etc. It also allows you to keep your batteries charged.
Your power cable/cord is exposed to sunlight, rain, lawnmowers, weed eaters, and pests. Over time problems can start to develop. That is why that the following be performed BEFORE YOU PLUG INTO SHORE POWER EVERYTIME!
1. Visually inspect cable/cord from end to end. 2. Use contact cleaner and an old rag to clean off any buildup on the cable/cord and contacts. 3. If the contacts are still brown after cleaning, use a piece of emery cloth to remove deep buildup of corrosion.
We have all heard the horror stories about RV fires that were caused by propane. Propane is a combustible gas and that is why we use it to cook with and to heat our RV's. It is not recommended to keep your propane cylinder/tank valves open while traveling down the road. There has been great debate about this over the years because people say that they keep it on for the refrigerator to keep the food cold. I don't know about you, but I think that a cooler and some ice is probably less expensive than losing your home on wheels due to a leak that can cause a fire!
Propane cylinders are portable and can be removed to refill. These need to certified 10 years after the manufacturing date and every 5 years after. Propane tanks are horizontal and are installed in the RV and are not removed to refill. These need to certified 10 years after manufacture and every 10 years after. The manufacturing date can be found on the cylinger or tank.
Whether you have a cylinder or a tank you need to visually inspect them everytime you refill them. Look for cracks, large areas of missing paint, rust, and dents. If you find any issues you should immediately replace the cylinder or have a qualified RV technician assist you further. Please remember to transport your portable cylinders vertically and securely. It is also important that you never use any tool other than your hand to open or shut the supply valve.
I don't recommend exchanging cylinders if possible because you don't know the condition of the cylinder when you get it and it is not uncommon to get cylinders that are not completely full.
Dealing with the RV black and gray tanks are by far most RV owner's least favorite thing to do. That doesn't change the fact that it is very important to maintain the waste water system. The condition or "health" of the holding tanks is greatly affected by what we put in them. Even the freshwater tank can get a lot of buildup because as we move from one location to another, we are introducing different minerals into the tank.
Although it is recommended to have your tanks professionally cleaned periodically by a qualified RV technician, there are some things you can do to reduce odors, buildup, and clogs in your tanks.
We will start with the Black and Gray tanks: Struvite is a compound that can form, solidify, and harden in your tanks and on the tank walls. It is made when magnesium, ammonia (from urine) phosphates, and other organic materials come together. Keep your Black and Gray tanks as clean as possible by keeping bacteria in them. Do not add chemicals to remove clogs as these will kill the bacteria. We have partnered with a great company that manufactures great products to take care of your Black and Gray tanks. Please go to the downloads page or the store to get more information. We don't push products here. We only recommend great products that we use on our own RV's.
You can keep your Fresh Water tank and water lines clean without killing the good bacteria by adding 1/4 cup bleach for every 15 gallons of water or 1 cup for every 50 gallons. Fill the water tank. DO NOT PUT BLEACH WATER IN WATER HEATERS! Bypass the water heater. Vinegar is safe to use for cleaning water heaters. After you have treated your Fresh Water tank let it sit without using your water for several hours. After the waiting period you should drain the water tank, fill it and drain it again before filling a 3rd time with fresh clean water to use.
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