Your RV provides your key to the open road and functions as a home that you can park almost anywhere. As such, you’ll want to keep it in excellent condition. Routine maintenance prevents breakdowns, part damages, and other issues that increase your RV insurance rates. Here are some tips for maintaining this vehicle.

How to Take Care of Your RV

1. Keep It Covered

Park your RV in a detached garage with a high ceiling if you have one, or under a carport. Quality coverage protects the roof from UV radiation, rain, sleet, and other environmental damages, such as tree sap deposits.

Inspect your roof following every camping excursion to remove twigs, leaves, and other debris that invite moisture and mold growth. Proper storage also keeps RV insurance rates reasonable because it protects the vehicle from storm damage.

2. Run the Generator

Operate your generator for two hours every month at a 50% load capacity to keep gasoline from separating and deteriorating since gas lasts about 30 days before it starts breaking down. Routine generator operation also prevents varnishing issues with the carburetor. If you don’t plan to use your RV for several months, add a fuel stabilizer to keep gasoline intact.

3. Inspect & Clean the Tires Regularly

Observe the vehicle’s tires every month for issues such as blisters, cracks, punctures, and worn tread. Check tire pressure using a gauge tool to avoid underinflation or overinflation issues prior to each outing, and also tighten the wheel lug nuts. Ensure your tires are out of the sun while the vehicle is in storage to prevent UV-related rubber breakdowns.

4. Empty & Clean the Holding Tanks After Every Trip

Maintain the vehicle’s plumbing system by emptying the gray and black water holding tanks every time you return home to avoid solid accumulations and severe odor issues. Use ¼ cup of bleach for every 15 gallons of water to clean and deodorize the tanks, and run the hot water faucet to ensure the bleach reaches the back water tank. Allow the mixture to stand for six hours before draining.

5. Clean the Slide-Outs & Seals

Keep moisture from infiltrating your RV by cleaning window, door, and latch seals once a month. Inspect for loose or deteriorating pieces and use caulk and weatherstripping materials where needed. Clean and lubricate the slide-outs once a month as well to avoid corrosion. Use an RV slide-out lubricant for best results. 

Discuss additional maintenance tips that keep RV insurance rates low with the team at Texas Brand Insurance in Hubbard, TX. This insurance company has over 33 years of providing affordable coverage options, including home, commercial, auto, boat, health, farm, motorcycle, and RV insurance. Call (254) 576-1180 today to schedule a free consultation or visit the provider online for brand information.