Essential Camper and RV Maintenance Tips

APPLIANCE CARE

If your RV’s appliances aren’t in working order, they aren’t going to be of any use. In fact, they can actually be dangerous if a fuel leak develops, so be sure to keep these in good shape, too! You can avoid most major repairs by regularly inspecting your appliances and testing their performance.

Refrigerator
If you can smell ammonia or if you witness a greenish-yellow material near the fridge, you likely have a cooling system failure.

Test Power
Plug in the RV or ensure it has a fresh battery properly connected and test the voltage to ensure that 120v AC power is available at the receptacle where the fridge plugs in. Ensure that the battery is properly connected (positive to positive and negative to negative) and that 12v DC power is provided to the terminal blocks and/or circuit board. You MUST use a volt-ohm-meter (VOM) available at most hardware stores (12v test lights are notoriously unreliable). Be sure to also check the in-line fuse to be sure it hasn’t blown.

Clean & Test for Leaks
Mix a bowl of soapy water and use this solution to check for leaks involving your propane tanks, hoses, and fittings (a leak will bubble). Ensure there is propane in the tank and turn it on. Apply the solution to all areas. Two wrenches should be used to close and loosen fittings. Clean the refrigerator burner and all burners that accept propane with a shop-vac (you may need to unscrew a ¼” screw to access the burner on some models). Do NOT use liquids or compressed air inside of this area as you can cause critical system damage.

Test Cooling

Turn your fridge setting to Automatic (“A”). Default is 120v AC power. Ensure the unit is plugged in to a 120v power source and allow the unit to run with the door closed for four hours. If sufficient cooling is achieved, leave the door open to allow the fridge to warm again. Be sure your LP gas tank has fuel and is properly connected. Switch your fridge setting to Manual and select LP (Propane) Gas. The fridge must warm enough to engage the system. If the LP does not ignite, keep the door open, wait a bit, and try again. Success is indicated by a bright, sharp blue burner flame located in the back right side of your fridge.

AC & Furnace
Visually inspect the fins of your AC unit. If any are bent, run a stiff plastic comb along them to straighten them out. Your AC system requires a minimum of 30 amps (some require more). Do not use a 15-amp reducer plug! Remove the plastic or metal shroud from the interior side of your AC and furnace units and vacuum thoroughly (including any ductwork you can reach). Locate your foam filter and wash it with mild soapy water, allow to dry thoroughly, and replace.
If your air conditioner isn’t keeping you cool, or the furnace doesn’t warm it up like it used to, bring the unit in for repair service. Keep a special eye on propane appliances with exposed flames! If the fire flickers or doesn’t produce a full flame, there could be a serious issue affecting your propane system. 

LP Appliances – All propane-operated appliances are sophisticated systems. It can be dangerous to work on them if you don’t have the proper training. LP gas systems must be adjusted and repaired by a certified RV repair technician. If you are experiencing a problem, bring it in to Roy’s RV Supercenter.

Water Heater
Your water heater cannot be adjusted and it does not need to be turned off when not in use; however, you MUST disconnect the power before performing maintenance tasks (unplug all cords, turn off power switch, and water heater breaker). Ensure the water has cooled before proceeding and open the release valve (at the top). Inspect the tank for any visible damage or leaks, as well as corroded parts. Pull out the anode rod and inspect. Place a bucket below the drain and allow the dirty water to pour out. Hook up a freshwater hose to a flushing wand and flush the tank until the water runs clear. Replace the anode rod (or a fresh one if necessary), replace the drain cap, refill the system (let the hot water taps run to clear the air from the system), and close the pressure release valve. You can now restore power and test for functionality. Heating should occur within 20 minutes. Monitor for leaks over the next week or so.

SLIDE OUT MAINTENANCE

You’ve probably grown to depend on extra floor space in your RV, and it would be terribly inconvenient if one of those slide outs got stuck during your vacation. Before and after every trip, you should lubricate all of the slide rails with a dry lubricant, such as dry silicone spray. If you have left your camper in storage for a long time, those rails could be sticking a little bit, so the lubricant will keep them sliding properly.

VENTILATION SYSTEM

Ventilate
Even if you keep leaks patched up and do everything you can to block moisture, poor air circulation can still cause serious damage to the interior of your camper, travel trailer, or fifth wheel. Throughout the year, ventilate your RV as often as possible. This is especially important after vacations and rain storms when there tends to be a lot of excess humidity trapped inside the unit. While in storage, you should run a few fans in your RV, travel trailer, or motor home every few months to ward off damp, musty smells. Consider using a product like DampRid for long term storage, as well.

Inspection
Check the roof vents, bottom sidewall vent (to the rear of the fridge) and exterior areas for signs of bird nests, screens, plastic wrap, duct tape, or any other material that could restrict air flow. While doing this, watch for frayed/chewed wires. Remove any debris found and vacuum thoroughly. If wires are damaged, bring the unit in for repair.