Regular RV Maintenance: Extend the Life of Your Camper
As spring is in the near future, MWSS wants to give our loyal customers a list of regular RV maintenance tips to follow to have a successful trip without unexpected obstacles along the way. There are 3 main categories of RV maintenance:
- Preventive Maintenance is maintenance you perform on your RV before a problem surfaces. Preventive maintenance consists of cleaning, inspecting, adjusting, and servicing your RV to be proactive rather than reactive.
- Scheduled Maintenance is performed routinely based on time, mileage, or hours. Scheduled maintenance is designed to keep your RV in its best operating condition and prevent breakdowns. It is important that you read your owner’s manual and warranty information in order to see if your manufacturer is responsible for routine maintenance/repairs.
- Emergency Maintenance – Maintenance and repairs are necessary when you encounter unexpected component, system, or mechanical failure.

Before you take your next RV camping trip, we recommend assessing this checklist of items to ensure you are safe and secure. It could be the difference between a safe, enjoyable trip and a costly, catastrophic one.
- Regular Oil/Filter change: Similar to a regular car, most manufacturers suggest that your RV's oil needs to be replaced every 3,000-4,500 miles, additionally, for the oil to be effective, the oil filters need to be regularly replaced to keep clean oil in your RV.
- Service Your Generator: Even when your RV is stored, servicing your generator is key to proper upkeep. Another tip is regularly replacing the oil and filter for the generator as well.
- Check Seals Every 6 Months: To prevent water damage, regularly assessing the seals around your RV is important to avoid leaks and avoidable repairs.
- Always Check Tire Pressure/Wheel Nuggets: We recommend always gauging the tire pressure in all of your RV's tires and how tight the wheel nuggets are before you set out for an RV camping trip. This will prevent low tire pressure, popped tires, and loose wheel nuggets that could cause emergency tire mishaps.
- Maintain Brakes/Brake Pads: Brakes are a crucial part of any vehicle for the safety of the passengers. It is best to replace your RV's brakes if you hear any grinding or squeaking while breaking. If your break pads become dull, your break time can be altered and accidents can occur. Especially in inclement weather, properly working breaks are necessary for safety.
- Replace Your RV's Battery After 3-5 Year Lifespan: Similar to your car's battery, an RV's typical RV battery lasts from 3 to 5 years. After its life span, it needs to be replaced or you can expect the RV not to start upon activation, requiring a jump via jumper cables. This is a hassle when you are wanting to leave for your trip or ends with getting stuck after leaving with no jumpstart. Replace your battery to avoid these burdens on your camping trip.
- Update Your Water Waste System: Flushing your Water Waste System will keep your pipes clear and prevent buildup. Nobody wants sewage and waste to overflow or produce an odor in small space such as an RV. Use the proper chemicals for your specific RV, black or grey water systems, to ensure your waste is being properly managed.
- Replace Air, Fuel, and Coolant Filters: It is better to be safe rather than sorry when it comes to replacing filters in your RV. If your air conditioning system overheats or vise-versa with your heating system, it can cost thousands of dollars to fix. Any issues that arise with an air or fuel filter can cause hazardous/unsafe living conditions if released into the main airways of your RV.
- Double-check Your Electrical/Wifi Connections Before Departing For A Trip: Make sure your RV and tow-vehicle are attached correctly so all electrical signals are working before leaving for your camping trip. The electrical connection between the two operates break lights of both vehicles, break activation, and charges the battery of your RV while in drive. All three of these actions increase the safety of your RV and tow-vehicle.
We hope these tips prepare you for your upcoming RV camping trip and act as a set of guidelines to practice regular RV maintenance. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to RV maintenance and being proactive can save you the time and stress that comes with an accident or sudden mishap. Contact us here to assist you with any RV appliance and electronics updates before your next RV camping trip.