Whether you are a full timer or a weekend warrior, routine maintenance is a vital part of keeping your RV experience trouble free, but given the wide range of systems in an RV, how do you keep on top of timely preventive maintenance?
Make a list!
If you are lucky enough to have purchased a new RV, it most likely came with a huge folder chock full of manuals.. manuals for everything from the crank up antenna to the furnace, refrigerator, chassis (if motorized), etc. The trouble is- to keep on schedule, you need to dig through each of these to find the maintenance requirements. The easiest way for me to keep track is to dig out each manual, find the preventative maintenance page and copy it- then put all of those pages together in one section, so you never forget some vital (to trouble free RVing) procedure.
But what if you were lucky enough to buy a “pre-loved” RV, which didn’t come with manuals…
We are lucky enough to live in the dawning age of the Internet, and it is becoming easier to find owners manuals for RV systems posted online- Google can be your friend (or your favorite search engine). I highly recommend finding the owners manuals, downloading and printing them, and keeping them in a binder for future reference (or if you travel with a Laptop- keep them on the computer)- but at least print the maintenance schedule.
I’ve put together a very basic schedule in .pdf form (click on the thumbnail to view or save).
This covers typical appliances and systems, though it leaves out some important items like chassis and generator, but it should give an idea of the types of regular service that is smart to perform.
Reading the RV.net Open Road Forum, it is amazing the number of problems that come up simply through a lack of maintenance- things that a reasonable handy person could do themselves, or that would be inexpensive to have performed at an RV Service center (and you can often get maintenance “deals” in the off season).
In future entries, I’ll go in to specifics of each appliance, but for now- make a list!.
–Chris
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Tony Wallace
Hi I, have a 1984 winnebago chiefton motor home that has the 454 engine and some how it slung all the belts off during travel and it chewed up a couple of them so I got the new belts to replace them, I hope they are the right any way !! but I cant figure out which belt goes where and I cant find any type of diagram to go by to put them on, can any one please help me find the info or diagram . Thanks alot , Flustered !!
Chris Bryant
Hi Roger,
The only tankless model that I am aware of which is certified for RV use is the Precision Temp RV500. It fits in to the same approximate cutout as a 10 gallon tank type model.
I have a number of customers who have installed this model, and every one of them loves it.
Precision Temp RV500.
Roger Charlet
Could I get some information on a tankless water heater. Things such as electric or gas? Mounting problems such as will it fit into my existing hot water compartment? Thanks for any and all information
Vehicle towing
wow. i loved the list. thanks for sharing this wonderful piece of knowledge to us.
Curt
Getting ready to hit the road with an ‘o3 Tahoe. Never have pulled it much and the tires are the one that came with the trailer. Need new ones and am asking if their is something I need to know? Do I get the same kind or can I go with a little healthier one, some good advice please.
Curt
James Gill
How do you test the CO2/Carbon Monoxide detector?
Don Brooksby
Very good article and list. Thank you for it. One question on maintenance, I have an 06 Fleetwood Utah Pop up and am very interested in doing some of the simple maintenance but not finding solid information on items like packing the bearings etc. I have a thought to spend a little time taking care of my trailer and saving some money.
Are there any ideas where to find the fittings for packing the axle with grease?
-Don
Chris Bryant
Hi Bonnie,
Winnebago is really second to none in keeping information and parts available for their products- according to my information, the owners manual for 1984 Winnebago and Itasca motorhomes is p/n 054185-20-000 – which any Winnebago dealer can order (you should double check the part number I gave, though).
For the appliances, you should get each make and model number- many manuals are available online.
–Chris
Bonnie Deavers
I am a first time rver and just bought a 1984 winnabego ITASCA and it came with NOTHING (HELP) I need a owners manuel can’t find one online
Marty
Our monthly list also includes pulling the lanyards for the air system (on a DP), as well as running the GENSET for about an hour under load. As fulltimers who “sit” for five months in the winter, we also have an items that remind us to check tire air pressure, access the Freightliner Website (logons expire after 30 days if not used) and our Trik-L-Start connections. Our list also includes an item for checking the transmission levels after we take it out for our ‘every 6-8 week’ 60 mile run while we sit for the winter.
Larry
Great List!
Another item to add to your list is to check the air pressue in your tires. My wife always makes a list before we go camping starting about a week before we leave. Her list reminds me to check the air in the tires, check awning, check LPgas and many other things. She also has a list for groceries before we go and other items such as medicine, etc. Thanks again for the lists.
WGTX
A maitenance list-Great Idea. Thanks.
Feeline
Thanks for the list. I’m pretty good at making sure that my coach is well taken care of, and I keep detailed records of all service and work performed, but I never got around to making list. Your list gives me a good starting point.