RV Maintenance Checklist: Monthly, Seasonal, Annual

Your RV is your home away from home. Just like your regular home, you’ll need to do maintenance on it to ensure it’s in top shape. This is especially important if you’re not taking it out regularly. Here’s your RV maintenance checklist, so you can keep it in top running order and prevent any issues before they arise. There are some things you’ll need to do regularly, while some things only need to be done annually. Here’s what you need to do to take good care of your RV.

Monthly RV Maintenance

Every month, you need to do some things to ensure that the RV is in top shape. This is especially important if the RV is in storage, as you don’t want to take it out and then find that something is wrong. Follow our fool-proof monthly RV maintenance checklist for exactly what you need to do:

• Clean out your AC: You want to get the most from your AC when you’re on the road. So you’ll clean it much like you do your home AC by vacuuming the vents and giving them a good clean.
• Check for rodent and pest damage: Just like your home, pests love to get into RVs. So make sure you’re checking under the rig for signs they’re in there, such as cracked insulation and abrading.
• Run the generator: If you’re not taking the RV out regularly, this is something you’ll need to do. Gasoline goes bad when sitting stagnant for about a month, so run it through the generator to keep it moving.
• Check the seals: Inspect the RV for any cracks or splits in the sealants. If there are any, you’ll need to reseal them.
• Top off battery water levels: When doing this, ensure you’re using distilled water. Tap water contains minerals that could damage your battery over time.
• Maintain slide-out features: If your RV has slide-out features, these need to be maintained. Lubricate the mechanisms, so they can easily move in and out as needed.
• Check the engine: Pop the hood, and look for any hoses and clamps that have come loose and any signs of leakage.
• Check safety equipment: Just as you would in your home, you must check your safety equipment regularly. This includes your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and other equipment every month.

Seasonal RV Maintenance

These are the tasks that need to be done less often. It’s best to do them around the change in seasons, so you remember to do them. Plus, it makes your RV ready for any trips you want to go on as the weather gets warmer. Use our handy seasonal RV maintenance checklist below to help you seamlessly navigate the transition from season to season:

• Full clean: A good seasonal clean is important. Thoroughly clean the RV inside (and outside if needed) to catch any issues before they arise.
• Wax the exterior: Once you’ve cleaned the RV, you can give it good waxing. It makes it shiny and new, and it’s something you can achieve yourself.
• Weigh your RV: The weight of your RV can tell you a lot, and now is a good time to weigh it. RV clubs often offer opportunities to weigh your RV, so head along and check the weight.
• Filter the water: Clean water is something you must have in your RV. To clean the water in the system, use a  half cup of bleach in the freshwater tank. Let it sit for 24 hours, and then run it through.
• Look for damage: Even if your RV has been stored away, there could be potential damage that you don’t know about. Again, this is a danger from pests, so look for any entry points that they may have found.
• Check the tires: You want your RV to be safe as soon as you get on the road. So check the tires, looking for proper tire pressure and any wear and tear.
• Lubricate metals: Look for any spot on your RV where metal rubs on metal. Lubricate these parts to ensure proper movement and less wear.
• Check seals: Just as you would every month, look for any damage to the seals. If moisture gets in, it causes a lot of damage, so you want to avoid that.

Annual RV Maintenance

Finally, some jobs need to be done every year. While they don’t need to be done as often, they are still important. Keep your RV healthy and in tip-top shape all year long by following our annual RV maintenance checklist below:

• Keep a log: There’s so much to do when taking care of your RV. Some RVs will have a log in the back of the manual, so you can keep track of when everything is done. However, if you don’t, create a log and mark off every job as you do it.
• Test and replace safety equipment: This is a good time to replace safety equipment, such as smoke and carbon dioxide detectors. Replace the batteries if they don’t need to be changed out entirely, and clean them off with a slightly damp cloth.
• Service the brakes: The brakes are an essential part of the RV safety system. Have them serviced by a professional every year to keep them in good condition.
• Service the AC: Just like your brakes, the AC system needs to be serviced by a professional once a year. This avoids any breakdowns when you need them the least.
• Inspect the propane: Over the year, you should be checking the tank for any dings, leaks, and other issues regularly. Once a year, though, have that tank professionally inspected. This is so important to keep you safe as you use your RV.
• Check the seals: Again, check your seals to ensure there’s no damage. Once a year, it’s a good idea to reseal the exterior to minimize damage.

Your RV is your escape and your home when you’re away from home. As such, you want it to be in the best possible condition. As you’ve seen, it’s quite easy to take care of it when you keep up with some basic maintenance throughout the year. So keep up with this checklist, and you’ll be ready to go whenever you want.