Supplies You Need for Regular RV Maintenance
You love hitting the road and traveling in your RV. What you might not like as much is the routine maintenance you have to perform on your camper. Instead of going to a mechanic for every type of regular and preventative maintenance, save that money to use on your next adventure by performing this upkeep yourself. To make sure you have everything you need, RV Trader has a list of the essential supplies you need for regular RV maintenance.
Performing an Oil Change
Regular oil changes are critical to the overall health of your RV. Here’s what you’ll need to change the oil in your RV:
- Oil and oil filter. Make sure you have your RV manufacturer’s recommended oil and oil filter. Your owner’s manual will have details on what type of oil and filter to use.
- Drain pan. When it’s time to drain the old oil from your RV, keep a drain pan below the drain plug. If you have a larger RV, you’ll want to ensure your drain pan is big enough to handle the volume of oil that will come out to avoid a mess.
- Wrench. You may also need a wrench to loosen your engine’s drain plug.
Cleaning the Air Filter
Keep your rig’s air conditioner running smoothly by cleaning the air filter with these supplies:
- Vacuum or compressed air. Use a vacuum cleaner or a light blast of compressed air to suction or remove any debris from the filter. Be careful not to damage the screen in the process.
- Bucket and mild soap. Fill a large bucket with warm water and mild detergent, then soak your air conditioner filter for 10 to 15 minutes. If your filter is especially dirty, you can also use a soft-bristle brush to remove any dirt and grime.
Cleaning and Maintaining the Water Tanks
Your RV’s water tanks are essential for drinking, bathing, cooking, cleaning, and flushing your toilet. We previously covered how to fill, empty, and clean your RV water tanks in a previous article, but here is a breakdown of the supplies you’ll need for this maintenance:
- Potable water hose. You should only use a potable water hose to fill your camper’s fresh water tank. This hose is specifically designated for water that’s safe to drink and use for food preparation.
- Water pressure regulator. A water pressure regulator can help prevent too much pressure from damaging your water system. Most RV manufacturers recommend maintaining a water pressure less than 45 psi.
- Bleach. Use a mixture of bleach and water to clean your fresh water tank. Bleach can sanitize your tank and fight off any growing bacteria.
- Cleaning solution for black water tank. Unlike the fresh water tank, bleach can ruin your RV’s sewage system. Find a cleaner that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals that also deodorizes to remove any unpleasant smells.
Checking and Maintaining Tire Pressure
Keep your rig safe during your local or cross country roadtrips by ensuring the tires are properly maintained. Be sure to follow your RV manufacturer’s recommendations for the proper tire PSI.
- Tire pressure gauge. Use a tire pressure gauge to check your RV’s tire pressure when you’re on the road. Tire pressure gauges can be digital or manual. While digital is easier to read, a manual gauge is often less expensive and just as effective.
- Air compressor. A portable air compressor allows you to inflate your RV’s tires in just minutes. This is a helpful tool to have if you’re camping in an isolated area and don’t have access to a gas station air compressor.
Washing Your RV
Washing your RV isn’t as easy as washing a passenger vehicle. Your camper has more components that need individualized attention.
- Garden Hose. Since you usually can’t run your motorhome or fifth-wheel through a car wash, simply use a garden hose with a sprayer attachment to wash it down.
- Proper Cleaner. Check your owner’s manual to ensure you’re using the proper cleaner for each part of your RV. A non-abrasive cleaner is always a good choice. Painted metal surfaces can be cleaned with the same gentle cleaning solutions used for washing a car. Fiberglass requires a cleaning product that leaves a waxy coating behind.
- Soft-Bristle Brush. If you need to remove any stuck-on dirt from your RV, instead of a pressure washer, use a soft-bristle brush. This will protect all the surfaces and components of your camper, while getting it clean.
- Lubricant. You’ll need to lubricate your RV slide outs, along with the gaskets and seals to keep them drying out. Many lubricants come as a spray, so you won’t need to wipe the surface after.
- Ladder. You may need a ladder to clean your RV’s roof, especially if you park under large, sappy trees.
Read our previous article for more tips on deep cleaning your RV.
Keeping up with RV maintenance doesn’t have to be a difficult process. As long as you keep these essential supplies on hand, you can perform a majority of your camper’s regular maintenance at home. And, if you’re searching for used and new RVs for sale, browse the nationwide online marketplace at RVTrader.com.
Arielle Patterson
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