Monthly & Yearly RV Maintenance Checklist

Thanks for checking out our RV maintenance checklist with tips and tricks on RV care courtesy of Citation RV in Kamloops BC.

Seasonal RV Maintenance

Most RV owners are familiar with the seasonal RV maintenance checklist like:

RV battery maintenance
Checking seals
Thoroughly cleaning and winterizing the RV in the fall
De-winterizing it in the spring, and RV appliance maintenance

To care for and maintain your RV properly, be sure to keep a detailed log of all inspections and service work.

There are two other RV maintenance checklists that you should consider including:

Monthly RV Maintenance Checklist
Yearly RV Maintenance Checklist

Monthly RV Maintenance and Repair Tips

We recommend that you perform monthly maintenance on your RV. Here’s a checklist on what you should keep an eye on:

Checking exterior sealants on RV body and roof
Running your generator at least 2-hours each month
Topping up your batteries with distilled water
Checking & replacing cracked vent lids, caps, and skylights
Checking & lubricating locks, leveling jacks, and step hinges

RV Annual Maintenance and Repair Tips

At least once a year, we recommend the following RV maintenance checklist:

Have bearings repacked and brakes serviced
Get your propane tanks inspected
Re-seal all key areas of the RV
Do AC, furnace and hot water heater maintenance and inspections annually
Check your safety equipment including expiry dates on fire extinguishers plus smoke alarms and CO2 detectors

Our Top 7 RV Maintenance and Repair Tips

Below are what we consider to be the most important items on your RV maintenance checklist. Doing these regularly will help keep your RV maintenance costs at a minimum.

1. Know When to Replace Tires

Prior to any road trip, always check your tires for tire pressure and wear and tear. RV tire maintenance means checking for cracks, cuts, and bulges plus flat spots, low tread, and uneven wear.

Over time, rubber tires will deteriorate and need to be replaced even when they seem to still have good tread on them. Your tires will have a code on them that tells you the week and year the tire was manufactured (see image). A good general rule is to replace any tire that is more than 5 years old.

2. Repack Your Bearings Regularly

Most manufacturers recommend that you repack your bearings at least once a year or at every 19,000-km (11,800-miles), and for good reason.

The weight of your RV is riding on the wheel bearings, so it is imperative to keep them well lubricated. Brakes also tend to heat up, which can speed up the process of how fast your bearing grease breaks down.

When you repack the bearings, you also have the opportunity to inspect and address the condition of your tires, brakes, and brake drums.

At Citation RV, we have all the parts and service expertise you need to have your bearings, brakes, and tires inspected and serviced. Book a Service Appointment.

3. Check Your Gas Detectors Regularly

Whether battery operated or wired in, your RV’s propane, smoke alarm, and carbon monoxide (Co2) detectors must all work properly. They are required safety features that could very well save your life someday.

Be sure to routinely check these safety devices to ensure they are all working properly and that none of them have expired. Check yearly and definitely check prior to each trip. They don’t last forever. Most have only a 5-to-10-year life span (check the label) and should be replaced once they are past their due date. Also, check your fire extinguishers!

NOTE: Detectors and alarms for residential home use cannot be used in RVs, so make sure that all new replacement safety devices are approved for RV use.

4. Switch Over to LED Lights

Not all LED lights are equal. They can vary in both price and quality.

Citation RV carries ESP LED light bulbs that come with a 10-year warranty. LED lights use a lot less energy, up to 90% less. LED light brightness is measured in lumens instead of Watts and are available in either warm yellow light or cool natural light.

Here are 3 steps you can follow to switch over to LED Lights.

- Decide which light fixtures you want to update with LED lights
- Check the light base for sizing - the most common ones found in RVs are round metal (#1156) bases and flat glass (#921) bases.
- Choose either warm yellow light or cool natural light LEDs

5. Routinely Check & Clean Your RV Roof

We recommend that you regularly clean and maintain (or repair) your RV roof. Regular RV roof maintenance will not only greatly improve the look and life of your roof but also prevent mold, mildew, and rot. (See our before and after photo gallery.)

You can avoid unnecessary and costly roof repair and/or replacement if you:

Check the owner’s manual before walking on the roof
Inspect the roof at least 2 times a year
Include all roof vents, skylights, and seals in your roof inspection
Reseal any dried, cracked, or weathered seals
Never use abrasive household cleaners or solvents to clean your roof

For RV membrane roof maintenance, only ever clean your RV’s roof membrane with the appropriate cleaner and conditioner, which can help to also keep your RV cooler inside!

Our experts here at Citation RV are specialists and can recommend the right cleaning products for your RV. Call us any time at 1-866-713-9638.

6. Maintain Your RV’s Body Seams & Seals

Seams and seals can be affected not only by age and weather, but also by the movement extremes that your RV may endure while you are travelling. Water leaks can be prevented, and costly RV repairs can be avoided with just a little maintenance on your seams and seals. At least twice a year:

Inspect all RV seams and seals
Also inspect your RV windows, doors, side vents
Plus check all your RV lights and light reflectors
Immediately repair and reseal dried or cracked seals
Only use RV rated sealants (avoid household sealants – they won’t stand up the effects of UV rays or rigorous travel)

Not only time and weather cause deterioration of seams and seals, but also the extreme movement during travel can cause them to crack on both new and older RV's.

7. Tips on How to Winterize Your RV

Here are some helpful RV maintenance tips on how to successfully winterize your RV or motorhome.

Always empty your RV tanks prior to storage
Wash the outside of the RV including your roof & awnings
Use only RV rated cleaners and conditioners
Remove batteries if the RV is not stored in a heated area
Keep RV batteries charged (use a trickle charger if necessary)
Cover all vents to keep out insects
Defrost and clean the RV fridge
Leave all cabinet & appliance doors open (use dehumidifier products to absorb odours and excess moisture
Remove all food & paper products and fill any holes and cracks with steel wool to keep out rodents
Inspect and repair all RV seams and seals if necessary

Store your RV under a breathable RV rated cover if it is not kept in a shelter.

Contact Citation RV

Citation RV & Trailers is conveniently located in Kamloops and services communities throughout the central interior of British Columbia, Canada. We operate a 3-bay Trailer & RV Repair Shop with highly skilled trailer and RV service technicians.

We keep a large supply of after-market trailer and RV parts in stock. If we don’t have the part you need, we can source and order it for you. We also offer trailer financing if you are looking to purchase.

Thanks for visiting our RV maintenance checklist page.

We can be reached locally at 866-713-9638 or call our toll-free number below.

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