Once you've invested in an RV, it's time to think about protecting your investment. Just like your car or home, the exterior of your RV needs some occasional TLC in order to keep it looking its best. By making a habit of maintaining your RV's exterior on a regular basis, you'll be able to enjoy many years of RV travel and vacationing.

Exposure to the sun and harsh weather will take its toll on the exterior of your RV. Over time, the paint will fade and any rubber or vinyl on the exterior will begin to dry out and crack. The best way to slow this process is by keeping your RV in a shelter or covered when not in use. The second most important thing you can do is to wash your RV's exterior frequently using a mild soap and water. Most importantly, always wash it after returning from a trip.

It's important to check the sealants on the exterior of your RV regularly to make sure water can't seep in. Water damage can occur before it's visible, weakening the roof and walls of your RV. Check for cracked or loose sealants, especially around the windows, doors, vents and slide outs. If you have any doubts about the integrity of a seal, consult an RV repair company.

Check the roof of your RV often and remove leaves, branches and tree sap. Although it's not as visible, it's just as important to wash the roof of your RV as it is the sides. A dirty roof can cause streaks of dirt to appear down the sides of the exterior. Since a variety of materials are used for RV roofs, you should check your owner's manual to determine what type of cleaning agent to use. Also consult your manual for warnings and tips about walking on the roof, since the roofs of some RVs are not designed to be walked on.

Another detail of your RV's exterior maintenance that you may not have given a lot to thought to is the tires. The sun's UV rays can be just as damaging to the tires as to an RV's exterior. Sun exposure can cause cracks in the tread and sidewalls which may eventually lead to a flat or shredded tire. Because of the risk of serious accident if a tire blows out while driving an RV, it's important to inspect your tires for proper inflation and for wear before any RV trip.

As a preventative measure, you can protect your RV's tires and combat deterioration by using tire covers. These are vinyl wraps or coverings that you install when your RV is not in use. Another good way to fight deterioration is frequent use of your RV. If you need one more reason to hit the road, just remember that driving your RV on a regular basis can contribute to the longevity of your RV's tires.

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