Be Sure To Do Your Walk Through Checklist

It’s a week to that RV adventure that you’ve been planning for a good chunk of your time. Nothing beats the feeling of enjoying the comfort of your home when indeed you are traveling. But wait a minute. A simple mechanical malfunction of your RV can crash all that. It’s therefore wise to take time to inspect the RV before you hit the road. So how do you do this? Going to an expert for help seems like a viable option because it is. But you can do it yourself as well since it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Here are some tips you can use to make sure the RV is roadworthy before you embark on a journey.

What to Check for During RV Maintenance

Performing simple maintenance checks on the RV will help you identify potential problems before you go. Some areas that you can check for faults include the following.

The Travel Trailer Or RV

You exert a lot of strain on the travel trailer when you hook it up to your car. The pressure can overwhelm. This leads to the weakening of the trailer’s frame section. A weak frame section has welds that are cracked or worn out. The welds will break off easily in this condition if you are driving on a rough road. You must inspect and tighten the nuts and the bolts in areas where there are holding connections. 

Check the brakes and ensure that they are fully functional. Make sure you confirm you can maneuver the jockey wheel effortlessly. Otherwise, you’ll need to lubricate it to improve the performance. Don’t forget the safety chain, either. The safety chain should not have signs of cracked links. If there are any signs, replace them immediately.

Check The Exterior

The exterior of the RV has components that can make or break a trip. It all depends on how well you took care of them before the journey. Start by checking for leaks in the regulators and fittings if the RV uses propane. You can inspect for leaks by spraying gas connections with soapy water. If there is bubbling anywhere on the component, then that’s the location of a leak.

You also need to check on performing the sealant. All moldings, windows, and doors have sealants in the RV. Check the sealants in the components for signs of tiny gaps. You should also make sure that the sealant isn’t cracked or broken. If you see these defects, then you should replace them. Sealants prevent water from seeping into the RV. If you let water seep into the RV, then it will cause moisture or mold damage.

Another critical exterior area is the awning. You need to roll it out occasionally and inspect it. Can you see some gaps that permit water to infiltrate the rig? If yes, this is because of cuts and tears. A canvas repair kit will help you restore the awning’s excellent condition.

Check The Interior

The level of comfort you’ll enjoy from the RV depends on how well you’ve maintained it. Spare some time to do a thorough cleaning of the RV’s interior. Watch out for spots that show signs of accumulating moisture. This could be anywhere from the walls, underneath the plywood, to the sink’s bottom. Moisture will make the furniture in the RV stink. It’s worthy to recall that the sight of moisture is a sign of leaks in the RV. Ensure you eliminate these leaks.

Check whether the RV’s electrical switches are working by plugging them into your outlets. You’ll need to confirm that all the appliances in the RV are working before you go on a journey. This causes that you check the appliances one by one. For things like the generator and the shore power, checking if they are working is not enough. You must ascertain that their level of power suffices to last the whole journey.

Check Underneath the RV

If it’s out of sight, it should still be in your mind. What goes on underneath the RV is crucial for your safety. Make sure that everything is in place at the RV’s bottom. Bolts and nuts should always be in their position, and you must attempt to tighten them. Check the suspension and axles too. Don’t forget about the tire and the chassis either. You will need a professional’s help for checking underneath the RV’s bottom. Only professionals can identify and repair specific mechanical issues.

Rent with RVnGO With Certainty

The perfect adventure starts with renting an RV. Many people out there can rent an RV, but you need to make sure that what you rent will give you value for the money and at the same time protect you. The tips that we’ve shared will help you perform a quick inspection of RV’s before renting them. Visit RVnGo for more information on how you can meet reputable RV renters.