Basic Travel Trailer DIY Maintenance
You’re travel trailer wasn’t just a big investment — it’s also one of your most prized possessions. Because of this, you’ll want to take good care of it. Letting your RV fall apart prematurely would be tragic, so try some of these tips for DIY travel trailer maintenance. Of course, there are a few things that need to be left to the professionals, but tasks like patching leaks, cleaning, roof covering, and appliance inspections are pretty simple. If you notice any serious issues though, bring your RV into Broadmoor RV right away so we can get it fixed up for you. Or, if you’re new to RVing, you can even check out our great selection of Jayco travel trailers and campers. We’re located in Pasco, serving the areas of Spokane, Wenatchee, Walla Walla, and Richland, Washington.
Appliance Inspections
Appliances on a travel trailer improve camping experiences in many ways. They let you cook, store leftovers, and bring perishable ingredients along with you, so it’s pretty important to make sure they stay in good shape. If you have a newer RV, chances are your appliances run on propane instead of electricity. This makes them more convenient, but admittedly harder to repair and replace. Unless you’re an experienced professional, you shouldn’t attempt to service your appliances yourself, but there are a few things you can watch out for. If you ever see flickering or multicolored flames in your stove, that means the propane isn’t getting to the range properly. Propane-powered refrigerators should stay at an even, cold temperature consistently, or else it could be damaged, and your furnace shouldn’t make any loud noises when you start it up. Once you notice any of these issues, bring your RV on into our service department. We’ll fix up your appliances quickly and safely.
Lubrication on Moving Parts
Moving parts can get grimy and stuck pretty easily if you don’t take care of them. Whether it’s cabinets, slide outs, doors, or other moving parts, you should keep them lubricated. Use a dry lubricant on your slide outs, so the runners stay moving smoothly. For the rest of your moving parts, like door hinges and drawers, you can use a spray lubricant to keep them from squeaking and getting stuck.
Keep it Dry
A Humid travel trailer doesn’t just make it uncomfortable. It can also create serious problems in your walls and upholstery, such as mold, mildew, and wood rot. Too much moisture can effectively ruin your RV’s structure, so don’t take a chance by letting humidity get out of hand. Instead, keep it under control by turning the fan on when you shower, opening the windows when you cook, and washing dishes outside. Even small things like damp towels and clothes bring the moisture levels up, so try hang-drying any wet material outside instead of indoors.
Patch up Leaks
Leaks are one of the most frustrating parts of owning a travel trailer. Because you take your home-on-wheels through many different environments, exposure to all that debris and harsh elements can easily cause a leak. These can be a huge problem, since leaks also allow moisture to get in, which, as we just mentioned, can cause mold and other interior problems. You can combat this issue by simply inspecting the exterior of your RV frequently. If you catch a leak, seal it up right away. You can put a temporary patch on if it’s rainy when you notice the leak, and then apply a silicone sealant when the weather clears up.
Cover the Roof
No part of your RV springs leaks easier than a roof. With the sun and debris that’s constantly bearing down on these things, it’s no wonder they puncture easily. This is unfortunate, since replacing roofs can be pretty expensive, and the damage done to the interior from a hole in the roof can be even more costly! In order to avoid such damage, you’ll need to cover up the roof while it’s in storage. Try getting a steel RV cover, and even better, keep your travel trailer in a barn, RV carport, or large garage. These methods will protect it from the elements, but if you use your camper a lot, we also recommend cleaning the roof frequently.
So keeping an eye on your RV doesn’t sound that bad after all, right? Of course, you should only attempt to perform maintenance if you’re comfortable with it, since even something simple like patching a leak can go wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing. So if you ever need help, leave it to the professionals at Broadmoor RV! We sell Jayco travel trailers and offer service and repairs to all RV owners, so come visit us in Pasco, Washington, where we proudly serve the areas of La Grande, Pendleton, and Hermiston, Oregon.