Travel Trailer Maintenance Tips
Getting your very own travel trailer is a great way to improve your camping trips, but the only way to keep it functioning smoothly is to keep up with general maintenance. Regular maintenance is extremely important to ensure a safe, stress-free experience every time you hit the road. Whether you’re traveling alone or with family and friends, you’ll want to make sure that your camper is ready for the long haul so you won’t run into any maintenance problems when you’re in the middle of nowhere.
We have provided some of the basic tips for what you should be doing at home, but when it’s time to see a professional, schedule a service appointment with The RV Guys in Valley View, Texas. If you still need the perfect rig for your next adventure, visit our dealership to check out our impressive selection of travel trailers for sale.
Read Your Owner’s Manual
Don’t just dive into the maintenance process straightaway. Consult your owner’s manual to see what your travel trailer’s manufacturer recommends for your specific make and model. This could save you a lot of time and money by helping avoid doing any damage to your unit. The owner’s manual will serve as your primary resource for everything that needs to be done, as well as helping you to locate specific parts on your camper.
Do an Inspection
Your next task is to perform a thorough inspection of your travel trailer. Park it out on your driveway and walk around the exterior to check for any signs of damage. Inspect the slide-outs, windows, and doors. Look into your storage compartments to make sure that they’re clean and free of pests.
You should also check your camper’s interior every so often when you’re not on a trip so you can address specific issues. Look at the ceiling, walls, and inside the cabinets for signs of water damage or pest infestation. You want to make sure that your electrical and propane systems are functional. Check appliances for functionality as well by hooking up to a power source to turn each one on. Make sure that your locks work and that the vents are clear, too.
Keep it Clean
The easiest and simplest way to take care of your travel trailer is to keep it clean, both the outside and the inside. Don’t let it sit for months if there’s grime or mold that can fester. Wash the outside with a mild detergent and soft cloth. Remember to clean the roof and check for damage in other places that aren’t easily seen on your rig. Your hitch will also need greasing and cleaning. Keep the inside clean as well by regularly dusting the surfaces, mopping the floors, and wiping down counters. In general, whenever you see something that needs to be repaired, don’t put off fixing it.
Caring for Your Travel Trailer
The internal workings and mechanical parts of your travel trailer will need just as much care as its exterior. Before every trip, check the tire pressure and treads for damage or signs that they are underperforming. You’ll also want to clean out the water tanks frequently and make sure that your gray water tank is at the right fluid level.
With a travel trailer, you won’t have to worry about engine components, but you will want to make sure that your generator and electrical systems are functioning properly. Don’t forget to inspect the heating and cooling system. Many of these repairs are a little more difficult, so feel free to have an experienced professional take a look and alert you to potential problem areas.
Lubricate the Slide-Outs
One of the easiest, most basic ways to care for your slide-outs is to make sure they’re clean. Debris and grime can damage and dry out the rails and lead to costly repairs. Try to spend some time cleaning out the rails and lubricating them once or twice a year. Spray-on, dry lubricant is good for most travel trailers, although you’ll want to check with a trusted mechanic or your owner’s manual to be sure. Using the wrong kind of lubricant can actually make things worse and damage your slide-outs.
Keep the Roof Covered
One great way to reduce the need for maintenance on your travel trailer is to keep it protected when not in use. A well-fitting waterproof cover will prevent water and debris from building up on the roof if stored outside. The best thing to do is to store your travel trailer indoors in a garage or shed if at all possible. This will keep it safe from precipitation, debris, animal infestations, and theft.
We hope that these tips will give you a good idea of where to start when it comes to maintaining your travel trailer. If you come across any issues that you can’t fix yourself, call us to schedule an appointment with our expert mechanics here at The RV Guys in Valley View, TX. We proudly serve all our patrons visiting us from Pauls Valley, OK.