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RV ownership has been on a steady rise across the U.S. in the recent years- and it’s easy to understand why. It satisfies the desire for adventure in the vast outdoors, all while maintaining the simple comforts of home.
You truly can have the best of both worlds when it comes to your RV travels.
The sudden widespread interest amidst the pandemic has driven many inexperienced families to make the decision to purchase their very first RV and then quickly embark on their inaugural voyage. Leaving novice RV goers potentially unprepared for the essentials to maintaining their expensive investment.
But long before you execute your final purchase on RV, there are a few things which you need to know about its upkeep that will surely save you money.
Here are the 3 things to keep in mind when owning an RV:
- Purchase RV Insurance
While this may seem like a no-brainer, it should serve as a careful reminder of additional monthly costs to your RV purchase and why it is essential. But it is one that will benefit you immensely in the long run. According to a Progressive Insurance inspector who had serviced our own RV/travel trailer, the most common incidents associated with insurance claims are:
- Tire Blowouts
- Water Leak Damage
This bit of information was very helpful to us, and we now take extra precaution when inspecting our RV for any potential signs of either of hazards. Be sure that you inspect your tires before the start of an RV trip and prior to returning it to storage.
2. Washing and Waxing
The recommended frequency for washing and waxing your RV is every 3 to 6 months. This is heavily dependent on the environment which your RV is normally stored. Consider whether you have parked and stored your RV beneath large trees and the amount of rain/sun that the RV directly receives- and wash/wax accordingly.
During an RV Care Seminar, when my husband and I attended a RV Show, we were instructed to use Dawn dish soap diluted with water and a microfiber cloth, or soft bristled brush for RV wash. You may use this soap solution every 6 months on your RV, alternating with simply a damn microfiber cloth when your RV is being stored and doesn’t appear to be very dirty.
As for wax, we were advised to use a carnauba and polymer mix wax, with a soft microfiber cloth. This should be done every 90 days.
3. Inspect Your RV Before Purchase
Again, this seemingly comes across as common-sense advice. But as a first time RV buyer you may not necessarily consider key things when purchasing your RV. Examples of what you should inspect before your final purchase are:
- The seals to the exterior of your RV
- Check all 4 corners of your siding sealant
- The caulking surrounding vents/AC units/ windows atop of the roof
- Weakened flooring due to dry rot
- Possible water entry points
- Condition of tires
- Any at-risk areas for water leakage; to include faucets, showers, and water tanks
- Thoroughly inspect your flooring, especially cuts to linoleum as this could cause weakened areas for water entry
- Ensure windows are able to be securely shut
- Damage to axel
- Slide-out function (again check for possible water leak issues
We were very shocked to learn, after 4 years of RV ownership, that an RV inspection should be done every 90 days. This can be done on your own, as a means to ensure that damage has not been sustained to your RV during use, or storage. This instruction may or may not be found on a manufacturer sticker placed on the exterior of your RV/travel trailer. In our case, it was not- and it was a great lesson learned.