The Most Common Replacement Parts for RV
Before you take your RV out on any long road trips this year, our RV experts wanted to discuss some of the most common replacement parts for RV that you should be aware of.
Whether you have a 5th wheel, a small camping trailer, or a luxurious recreational vehicle, RV travel is a unique and adventurous way to experience Canada and the beauty of nature.
However, Canada is big. There can be very long stretches in between communities and RV repair shops, should you ever need one (fingers crossed, hopefully not).
Repairs & Servicing
Here at Citation RV & Trailers in Kamloops, British Columbia, we do a lot of repairs and servicing including:
- RV Tires & Trailer Tires
- Brakes & Bearings
- Awning Repairs
- Awning Replacement (Complete, Hardware & Fabrics Only)
- Plus, Large Repairs (due to leaks or damage)
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RV Parts Requiring Regular Maintenance & Servicing
As always, we are stocked to the rafters with plenty of RV parts (and trailer parts) plus gadgets that make RVing so much fun! So, if you need anything, let us know.
Like all vehicles, even with regular maintenance and servicing, there are common parts for RVs that tend to need to be replaced or repaired the most.
It is important to have an understanding of which parts of your RV to keep an eye on, as well as which spare parts are best to have with you on long trips.
Below are some of the more common RV parts, repairs, and maintenance services that our RV experts here at Citation RV & Trailers can help you with.
RV Tires & Trailer Tires
Some parts for RVs, like tires, are more prone to wear and tear than others. In fact, tires are perhaps the most common RV parts that need to be replaced.
No matter what type of recreational vehicle you have (or trailer), you must always carry a spare tire with you when travelling.
You have a lot riding on them, and your RV tires must endure a lot of stress including carrying the weight of the RV, travelling long distances, and navigating rough terrain.
Exposure to the sun and the extreme weather conditions here in Canada will also cause rubber fatigue.
So, it's important to regularly check your RV tires for signs of wear, such as cracks or balding. You should replace them as soon as you see any signs of damage.
We stock the most common trailer tire sizes. Contact our service department at 1-866-706-5926 if you need tires for your RV or trailer.
When to Replace RV Tires
All tires have a limited shelf life. So even if you haven’t put a lot of miles on them, they should be replaced within the first 5 years.
To determine how old your tires are, look for the DOT code printed on the tire wall, which will show you the date the tire was manufactured including:
- The week (the first 2 numbers)
- And the year (the second 2 numbers)
If your tires are older than 5 years, have them replaced before your next trip.
RV Tire Maintenance
Be sure to always keep up with regular RV tire maintenance including:
- Proper tire inflation
- Regular tire rotations
- Plus, proper storage of your RV tires when not in use
If your RV needs servicing or repairs, request a Service Appointment.
RV Brakes & Bearings
Brakes
Over 90% of trailers and RVs are equipped with electric brakes. Few trailers, mostly boat trailers, will have surge brakes.
RV electric brakes use an electric current to activate the brake shoes or pads, providing effective and reliable stopping power.
Brakes are common parts for RVs that need replacing and should be inspected and maintained regularly.
Having good brakes is critical to the safety of the vehicle and passengers. Regular checks and maintenance should be performed to ensure your RV brakes are in good working order.
However, like any mechanical component, RV electric brakes can experience issues that may require maintenance, repair, or replacement of brake parts.
Bearings
Brake adjustments, including repacking wheel bearings with grease, must always be completed as per the manufacturer's guidelines.
Over time, bearing grease will break down or become dirty with debris. That’s why manufacturers generally recommend having your trailer’s wheel bearings repacked with grease each year or within 10,000 kilometres (6,200 miles).
However, if you don’t put that kind of annual mileage on your RV then we recommend repacking your bearings at least every other year.
When buying a new or used RV, it’s a good idea to have our service technicians check your bearings before taking any long trips.
At Citation RV & Trailers, a typical repack includes checking the condition of:
- Wheel bearings
- Brakes and tires
- Break-away systems
- Plus, the replacement of grease and grease seal
Contact us if you need brakes or bearings services. Request a Service Appointment.
Awning Repairs
Most RV owners will have an awning installed if their RV doesn’t have one because they understand the many benefits that an RV awning can provide including:
- Shelter from rain and foliage debris
- Excellent shade from the sun
- Useable outdoor living space
In most cases, when the awning fabric is only slightly damaged, awning repair tape is a good solution to repair it. Some hardware parts can also be replaced on most awnings.
However, if you have a discontinued model, damaged awning tube, or extensive damage to the hardware, it likely will need to be replaced completely.
Tips for Avoiding RV Awning Damage
Here are some helpful tips to minimize damage to your RV awning and frame:
- Always keep the awning retracted and locked when the RV is moving.
- Retract the RV awning during heavy wind or rainstorms.
- Clean off all debris before retracting the awning.
- Minimize the amount of time the awning is exposed to direct sunlight.
- Regularly clean the awning fabric to minimize dirt, mould, and mildew.
- Make sure the awning is completely dry before rolling it up or placing the RV in storage.
Awning Replacement
When the awning fabric is old, mouldy, badly ripped, or damaged beyond repair, we can replace it, but you don’t necessarily need to replace the whole awning.
We offer a great selection of fabric colours to choose from.
Replacing the fabric is a great way to modernize or spruce up your RV.
The accompanying graphic will show you how to measure your RV awning (center arm to center arm).
Talk to us at 1-866-706-5926 if you need your RV awning repaired or replaced.
RV Water System
Water system parts for RVs should also be maintained regularly.
The RV water system includes the water pump, water heater, plumbing, fresh water holding tank, faucets, and hoses for connecting to external water sources.
Regular checks should be performed to make sure everything is functioning properly and to detect any leaks or issues. It's also a good idea to keep spare water hoses and fittings on hand in case you need to make a repair on the go.
Citation RV & Trailers stocks many of the necessary water system parts for RVs in our RV Parts Store.
Remember to winterize your RV’s water system before storing your vehicle for the winter months.
Maintenance, Upgrades, Spare RV Parts
Recreational vehicles provide a unique and adventurous way of exploring Canada and North America! They also require regular maintenance and if necessary, replacement of the common parts for RVs that tend to break down.
From RV tires to brakes, awnings, RV kitchen parts, hoses, plugs... you name it, we can help.
No matter what type of parts you need for your RV, Citation RV in Kamloops BC can find it for you if we don’t have it in stock.
Visit our RV Maintenance Tips page for additional information on how to maintain your RV!
Maintenance Tips:
- Carry sealant for the RV roof and sides (see Dicor and Proflex). Water is your enemy. Roofs should be checked regularly, and sealant patched up or replaced. Depending on the roofing material, you would use lap sealant or alkyd fibered coating. Also, this is a good time to check your vent lids, skylights and covers for cracks. When sealing windows or vents on the body of the RV, don’t forget the top of the marker light as those tend to leak when older.
- Roof cleaners & protectants. A clean roof will last longer and keep you cooler.
- Check propane hoses for cracks, and leaks. If stiff replace.
- Check gas detectors and fire extinguishers. Replace if expired or malfunctioning.
- Check for low voltage or dead batteries, corroded battery terminals and loose connections.
Upgrades:
- LED lights use about 90% less energy than regular bulbs. Conventional RV bulbs can be replaced with LED without the need to get new fixtures. In general, there are about 4 LED bulb types that are used the most. Bring in an old bulb and we’ll match up the RV bulb replacement for you.
- We carry Thomas Payne RV furniture by Lippert including a selection of quality RV couches and recliner seats to help spruce up the old RV.
- Our parts store also offers a large selection of modern RV tap sets.
Getting Ready to Travel:
- Carry freshwater freshener products to clean and flush the system.
- Have water filters to eliminate odour, chlorine, and sediment.
- Get RV toilet paper! Nobody wants to deal with a clogged black tank.
- We have a large selection of holding tank treatments for maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Check the condition of your freshwater hose.
- Check the condition of your sewer hose and attachments.
Spare Parts for RV to Consider:
- Roof patch (Eternabond tape)
- Spare Tire
- Lap sealant
- Awning repair tape
- Spare sewer gate valve (black 3”, grey 1.5” or 2”)
Contact Citation RV
Citation RV & Trailers in Kamloops can help you if you need RV parts and services including awning repairs and replacement. Our 3-bay RV repair shop can also help with insurance repairs and major repairs like rot repairs and roof membrane replacement.
Whether you are from British Columbia or just passing through, we are here to help whenever you need us.
You can request a Service Appointment or click on the contact link below to learn more. You can also reach us through our toll-free number below if you have any questions about parts for RVs or RV repairs.
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