Embarking on an RV trip can be a daunting task. From packing to planning your route, there is so much to do. But wait! Don’t forget the most important part of your preparations: getting your RV ready for travel.
If you are going to be spending a significant amount of time in your RV, make sure it is ready for you to travel!
It is crucial that you make sure your RV is up to date on maintenance, clean, and at the optimum comfort level for you and your family. There are a lot of steps you need to take to get your RV ready after a season in storage, but we’ll help you break it down.
Maintenance
As the owner of an RV, you likely are well aware that RVs require organized and regular maintenance. Before you embark on your next RV road trip, keep this checklist in mind to ensure that all maintenance is complete and up to date. You want to ensure that you check your entire RV so that you don’t experience any unwanted surprises during your trip.
Batteries
Batteries are one of the first things you should check while getting your RV ready for travel. The last thing you want to experience is a dead battery while on the road, so take the time to check your battery.
Batteries can lose up to 10% of their charge while not in use, so if your RV has been sitting idle since your last trip, make sure your batteries are fully charged. You also want to ensure that they still have the correct water level.
Water Tank
When it comes to performing maintenance on your water tank, you first need to assess whether or not you need to flush the entire water system. If you added non-toxic antifreeze to the water system to prevent the pipes from freezing during the winter, you now must wash it out by flushing out the entire system.
Even if you did not use antifreeze, it still may be a good idea to flush out the system if it has not been in use frequently. If the water has just been standing still for the entire storage season, it may be pretty stale. If you don’t want stale water, make sure you flush out that system.
After flushing the water system, then sanitize the entire system so that it is ready to go. Also, check for any leaks in the pipes. After this, your water system has been prepped and ready for the road.
Appliances
The first step to getting your appliances up and running is to check and, if necessary, replace your propane tanks. In order to check your propane tanks, start by making sure that all of your liquid propane appliances are turned off.
Once you ensure that all appliances are off, turn your leak detector on. Open the valves, and then check both the valves and regulators for any leaks. If you find any problems, make sure you replace your propane tanks before heading out on your trip.
After you check your propane tanks, test out each of your propane-fueled appliances. Turn on each appliance and make sure they are each running properly.
Then, do the same testing process for your electric appliances.
Tires
The last thing anyone wants to deal with on a road trip is a flat tire. Although these things can be inevitable, there are some steps you can take to make sure your tires are ready for a long drive.
During the time your RV is in storage, your tires will lose about two to three psi of air pressure per month. This can make a big difference over time, so it is crucial to check your tires and tire pressure before hitting the road.
In order to check your tires, start by checking the air pressure in all of your tires using a tire pressure gauge. Don’t forget to check the tire pressure of your spare tire as well. In the process, inspect your tires for any cracks or damage. After this, your tires are as ready as they’ll ever be.
Engine
It is super important to get your engine serviced before embarking on an RV trip. Begin by checking all of the fluids and oil, to ensure that everything is up to date.
It is also always a good idea to take a short drive before heading out so that you can make sure that everything is running properly. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is heading out for your trip in an RV that has not been driven since before the storage season.
For this reason, check your engine and make sure that your RV is driving well before you rely on it as your mode of transportation for the trip.
Generator
If you want to use your electric appliances housed within your RV, your generator needs to be working. This is another item that is crucial to test before heading out because you don’t want to get stuck without a generator.
To get your generator ready for the trip, check its oil level and check the exhaust system for any damage. Then, try to turn on the generator and see if it is running properly.
Air and Water Filters
As a general rule, at the beginning of each season, replace your air and water filters. This will just help to make the air and water within your RV is nice and clean.
Safety Items
Although no one wants to get into an emergency, it’s always good to prepare. There are multiple safety items that are necessary to check before your next trip. Make sure you have each of these items in your RV and that they are working properly.
- Smoke detector
- Carbon monoxide detector
- PL gas leak detector
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid and emergency supplies
- Toolkit
Packing
Packing for any trip can be tricky, but packing for an RV road trip can be an especially daunting task. Make sure that everything you need is inside the RV before you head out so that you don’t get stuck without an essential item.
As you pack up your RV for your next trip, make sure you secure everything properly. While you are traveling, bumps and potholes can easily cause a mess if things aren’t secured properly.
Cleaning
To get your RV ready for travel, a key step is cleaning the entire vehicle. Take the time to freshen up both the inside and outside of your RV. For the outside of your vehicle, you can just give it a traditional car wash.
On the inside of your RV, wipe down all surfaces, dashboard, windows, etc. using your favorite multi-purpose cleaner.
It is also critical to make sure you clean all appliances in your RV. Don’t forget to clean the outside access covers for your water heater and refrigerator, and remove any foreign debris.
Once your RV is nice and clean, you’re just about ready to hit the road.
Some More Tips
Now that your RV is up to date with its maintenance and is looking fresh and clean, you’re just about ready to embark on your next road trip. Before you head out, here are some additional tips to make your journey a little easier.
- Consider investing in a back-up camera: Backing up and into campgrounds can be a pain and a waste of precious vacation time. A back-up camera can help save a lot of time and can help to keep you calm and at ease while backing up.
- Maximize your storage space: Storage space is extremely limited in an RV, but there are some things you can do to ensure there is enough space for all of your families. It is fairly simple to install additional storage cabinets so that you have an additional storage area.
- Get a mattress topper: Everyone knows that RV mattresses aren’t always the most comfortable. However, this can be an easy fix. Getting a mattress topper can make a huge difference in your comfort level, especially as you are spending nights on end sleeping in the RV.
- Make your RV feel like home: If you’re going to be spending some time living in your RV, it probably is a good idea to make it feel like your home. Try adding some wall art or photographs, and get some throw blankets and pillows for your sleeping space. These little touches can really make your RV feel homier.
Conclusion
Taking the time to get your RV ready for your next vacation is the best way to avoid any problems along the trip and make things run smoothly. While maintenance, cleaning, and packing are essential steps to getting ready for the trip, it is truly the little things that will make a difference in your RV trip.
Follow these tips and your RV will be prepped and ready for your next road trip. If you follow our advice, you’ll be ready for just about anything as you embark on your next RV road trip.
