Owning an RV provides you with one of the most unique and freeing ways to travel the country. At the drop of a hat, you can load up the family and hit the highway, heading in whichever direction the open road takes you.
However, RV ownership also requires responsibility. After all, your rig isn't going to inspect, maintain, and care for itself.
Regular inspections and maintenance really do prevent expensive repairs and breakdowns from happening later on. So they really are the best thing you can do if you own an RV.
But where exactly do you start? What are the most important RV systems to check? And what are the best practices for maintaining an RV?
Keep reading, and we dive into our comprehensive RV maintenance checklist, which includes the most important monthly, seasonal, and annual tasks to keep your RV in top shape.
Monthly RV Maintenance Tasks
The following monthly RV maintenance tasks don't usually require much work. In fact, you may not need to perform any work at all, unless you find something wrong.
Mostly, monthly maintenance tasks simply require you just need to inspect the RV from top to bottom to spot minor problems before they turn into major problems.
Here's a checklist of RV maintenance tasks to perform once per month.
- Check tire pressure and wear - Ensure there's plenty of treat depth on your tires, and that all tires are inflated to proper PSI level. When not driving, we recommend using a set of TireShield Pro covers for UV protection and avoid dry rot.
- Inspect roof and seams - Look for signs of worn-out, cracked, dried, or missing sealant around vents or other roof protrusions, between seams, and around the edge of your roof. Reseal small cracks with TitanPatch Pro.
- Test smoke & CO detectors - Check to make sure smoke and gas detectors are in good working order. Replace batteries if needed. It's also good to check fire extinguishers to make sure they're not expired.
- Check water system and plumbing - Check under sinks, in the kitchen and bathroom for signs of leaks or water buildup. Check pipes, hoses, and your fresh and waste water tanks for leaks.
- Inspect battery - Take a look at the battery's terminals to check for corrosion. Use a battery tester or maintainer to ensure optimal charge levels.
- Check your generator - Inspect and test your generator by running it for at least 30 minutes under load to keep its internal components well-lubricated. Change oil if needed.
- Clean and air out the interior - Moisture is one of the biggest enemies the interior of your RV faces, especially if you want to avoid mold and mildew problems. It's important open vents and air the RV out naturally. Use traps or repellents to prevent rodents and pests.
- Top up all fluids - During your monthly round, it's also a good idea to check your coolant, oil, and washer fluid levels and top them up if needed.
Seasonal RV Maintenance (Spring & Fall)
Seasonal RV maintenance should be performed in the spring, when you're opening up the RV after having it in storage, and in the fall, when you're getting ready to put the recreational vehicle away for the next few months.
Here are the most important spring and fall RV maintenance tasks:
Spring RV Maintenance Schedule
- Inspect all seals on roof, vents, around windows, doors and slide-outs
- Sanitize fresh water tank (use bleach or RV-specific water sanitation products)
- Lubricate all door hinges, jacks and slide-out component, if required (refer to RV owner's manual if needed)
- Inspect plumbing system, water links, drains for signs of leaks
- Flush water heater and test to ensure functionality
- Remove moisture absorbers, mouse traps, and other winterization products
- Reinstall or reconnect battery (charge if needed or use a jump starter to get the RV starter)
- Inspect propane system, lines and connections. Fill tanks, if needed
- Test smoke detectors and verify fire extinguishers are not expired
- Clean inside and wash exterior
- Open windows, doors and vents and ventilate
- Make sure all interior and exterior lights (turn signals, running lights, headlights, brake lights) are working properly
Fall RV Maintenance Schedule
If you're not planning on using your RV throughout the winter, you'll need to get it ready for winter storage. Here's what to do to prepare your RV for winter storage.
- Inspect RV roof for signs of leaks
- Drain freshwater and wastewater tanks, flush with clean water
- Add antifreeze to plumbing system
- Check all hoses and connections for leaks
- Inspect and service AC unit
- Inspect propane system
- Disconnect and remove battery (store indoors if possible or use a battery charge to maintain a healthy charge)
- Disconnect generator, service, store
- Remove all perishable food items or anything else that attracts rodents
- Empty and clean fridge/freezer
- Cover RV tires
- Apply pest control measure, use repellents, seal openings, and set traps
- Use moisture absorbers to prevent mold and mildew
- Close and store RV
- Store important documents in a fireproof bag
Pro tip - When it comes to storing your RV, whether it's for the winter or just a few weeks or months in between trips, we recommend using TireShield Pro tire covers to protect your rig's tires from dry rot, UV damage, and moisture.
Image courtesy of Lucas Favre @ Unsplash.com
Annual RV Maintenance Tasks
Finally, there are some bigger and more important maintenance tasks need to be performed at least once per year. The following annual RV maintenance tasks ensure your RV looks its best, and that it remains in good shape year after year.
- Full roof inspection and apply RV roof coating
- Check brake pads, bearings, and suspension.
- Replace cabin air and fuel filters
- Inspect and service generator (oil, air filter, spark plugs).
- Flush gray and black tanks thoroughly
- Inspect electrical connections and fuses
- Check for water damage or rust underneath
- Wax exterior for UV protection
- Have a mechanic inspect or tune engine, if needed
- Grease chassis points
- Inspect hitch, tow-bar and leveling system
- Inspect, rotate, replace or change tires (look for signs of uneven tread wear, bulging sidewalls, or air leaks)
- Perform an oil change, check other fluid levels
Depending on the age and condition of your RV, you may or may not need to perform additional maintenance tasks. That's why the most important thing you can do, whether it's monthly, seasonally, or annually, is to inspect the RV for early signs of problems.
When you regularly inspect your RV, the idea is to catch small problems early and fix them before they turn into major headaches.
Pro tip - Some more intensive annual maintenance tasks, such as inspecting your electrical system or servicing your brakes and engine may be better left to a professional. Do not attempt these tasks unless you know what you're doing and feel comfortable doing the work yourself.
DIY Vs Professional RV Maintenance
Most RV maintenance jobs are relatively easy to perform on your own, as long as you know what you're doing. But there are some bigger and most intensive maintenance tasks that you may want to leave to a mechanic or RV tech.
Tasks like inspecting your RV roof, checking tire pressure, or charging your battery are easy and can be handled by pretty much any RV owner. As long as you're in good enough shape, you can tackle most jobs on your own.
However, if you're not comfortable with RV engines or doing these types of tasks, jobs like inspecting or changing your brakes, tuning the engine or checking the propane systems are best left to the professionals.
Tools & Products Worth Having On Hand
Most RV maintenance tasks can be handled with the tools you already have in your toolkit.
Hammers, wrenches, and screwdrivers are usually all that's needed for tackling most RV maintenance jobs. But you should also always keep a tire pressure gauge, voltmeter, sealant gun, RV cleaner, and moisture absorbers on hand.
Additionally, Tool Troopers is proud to have an entire lineup of high-quality RV products and accessories that make storing, maintaining, and protecting your RV as easy as can be.
TitanPatch Pro
TitanPatch Pro is a heavy-duty, weatherproof sealant tape engineered for superior adhesion and durability. Designed to withstand extreme temperatures, UV exposure, and moisture, it creates a long-lasting, watertight seal for RV roof repair, gutters, pipes, and more. It's the ultimate repair solution for a wide range of outdoor and indoor fixes.
TireShield Pro
TireShield Pro is a premium UV-resistant tire cover designed to protect your RV or trailer tires from cracking, fading, and weather damage. Built with durable, weatherproof and UV-resistant materials and a secure fit StormLock buckle system, TireShield Pro extends RV tire life, prevents blowouts, dry rot, and keeps your vehicle road-ready all year long.
Frequently Asked Question - Monthly, Seasonal, And Annual RV Maintenance Checklist
RV maintenance helps prevent more costly repairs and problems later on down the line. And the good thing is that you don't need to do everything at the same time. Your RV maintenance schedule can be broken down into monthly, seasonal, and annual tasks, as we've shown above.
Below, you'll find the answers to a few frequently asked questions we hear from our readers about RV maintenance tips.
What should I check on my RV every month?
Your RV tires, battery, and plumbing should be checked more frequently than other systems. But we also recommend inspecting your RV roof often to watch for signs of water intrusion and to seal up any potential gaps or cracks before water damage sets in.
How often should I reseal my RV roof?
We recommend re-sealing your RV roof once per year. But you should be inspecting it more often than that, at least once every six months. Frequent roof inspection help you find leaks and signs of water damage before they get bad. You can also check out our ultimate RV roof maintenance guide to learn more.
How do I maintain RV batteries in winter?
We recommend disconnecting your RV batteries and storing them indoors during the winter, if possible. You may also want to connect them to a battery charger or maintainer, or consider purchasing a RV jump starter to help you get your battery boosted when springtime rolls around. It's not healthy for a battery to discharge completely. So we strongly advise keeping your RV battery connected to a charger during the off-season, or to periodically starting the vehicle to let it battery recharge itself.
What are the most important RV maintenance tasks?
Making sure your engine oil is changed regularly is important. But you also need to keep your fluids topped up and to check your tires often. Always make sure tires are inflated properly and covered when the RV isn't in use. You should also frequently check your roof for signs of water intrusion.
How much does RV maintenance cost per year?
Maintenance costs vary depending on RV make and model, as well as its age since older RVs generally require more maintenance to remain in good working order. For smaller travel trailers, fifth wheels, or RVs, it usually costs about $500 to $1,000 per year in maintenance. Whereas, for larger Class C or Class A motorhomes, annual maintenance can cost anywhere between $1,000 to $3,000.
Can I do RV maintenance myself?
Yes, as long as you're prepared to do a bit of work, most RV maintenance tasks are relatively DIY-friendly. Almost every RV owners can check their roof, window and door seals, battery and tires throughout the year. But you may want to leave larger maintenance projects, like changing oil, performing engine tune-ups, or winterizing your RV to the pros. However, if you're handy and know what you're doing, even these tasks can be handled on your own.
How do I prepare my RV for long-term storage?
Remove all personal possessions and perishable food items, clean the interior and exterior of the RV, and winterize plumbing to prepare the vehicle for long-term storage. You may also want to consider purchasing a set of RV tire covers and using a full RV cover to keep the vehicle protected from the elements if storing it outdoors.