Sure sign of spring: Time to prep your RV

Cars

2006 E-Series: E-450 RV Recreational Vehicle.

Sure sign of Spring: Time to prep your RV for the season.

By Laura French, Star Tribune Sales and Marketing

Last update: February 1, 2008 - 6:10 PM

When it's February, most recreational vehicles in our area are tucked in for winter. But for those owners who are still active with their RVs, and those who will soon "wake up" their vehicles for spring break, here are a few tips.

RV Activation

• Check the water system for leaks, sanitize the system and make sure the toilet is operating.

• Remove tape and protective coverings from all vents; open everything to see if rodents or insects got in or if you have any leaks.

• Clean and inspect the roof carefully to avoid punctures or damaging any seals; check body and window seals.

• Inspect awning fabrics and, if you clean them, make sure they're dry before rolling them back up.

• Inspect RV and tow-vehicle tires for cracks, uneven wear and foreign objects and inflate tires to cold weather pressures. Make sure lug nuts are tight on all tires and check spares, too.

• Clean RV interiors, plug in appliances, and test carbon monoxide alarms and LP gas detectors. Check fire extinguishers, test breakers, clean or replace air conditioner filters and air your RV out.

• Reinstall batteries (recharge them, if

necessary) and clean battery posts. Check battery water levels, if applicable.

• Test items such as electric steps, hydraulic jacks and backup cameras.

• Change generator oil and filters if it wasn't done in the fall and run the generator for an hour at about half load (check owner's manual for load numbers). You should also check your RV when it's plugged into exter- nal electric power.

• It's always advisable to have a qualified technician check LP gas systems for leaks and pressure before operating appliances on gas.

• Check underneath your RV. If you smell gasoline, diesel or LP gas when you take a deep breath, shut off all pilot lights and call a professional.

More checks

Check your engine oil and follow your owner's manual about using a winter weight oil. Check your air filter and check and top off all fluids (transmission, brake, power steering, engine coolant, windshield) before starting your engine. This is a good time for a full chassis lubrication if it wasn't done before storage. If you discover a fluid leak, move your RV and check again, noting the leak's color and location relative to the RV. Have a certified RV technician fix any problem.

If you have a towable trailer, wheel bearings need checking annually. You should also check canvas for tears, and hitches and couplers for damage. Once you make sure all lights work, you're ready to load up and go - after a final walk-around to make sure everything's closed, secured (cords, hoses, hitches, chains), up (steps) or down (vents, antennas).

Winter RVing

Interior moisture is a problem for RVs in winter. You can reduce moisture with a de-humidifier before traveling. On the road, boil water in microwaves and, when showering, close bathroom pocket doors, open roof vents and turn on vent fans. You lose some heat but moisture levels stay down. Keep plumbing from freezing with water tank heaters and small electric heaters in sewer/water compartments. Keeping cabinet doors ajar and the air circulating with small fans also helps.

Since you may encounter winter weather during spring-break travel, try a little practice in slick conditions before departing. Have a plan for how you'll handle a big storm and book a reservation at your first stop.

Be sure to follow your owner's manual concerning maintenance. If you do, your RVing - whenever it starts - is much more likely to be trouble-free.