Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a full-time road roamer, regular RV maintenance is the secret to keeping your rig rolling and your sanity intact.
We’ve broken it down into monthly, quarterly, and yearly checklists to keep things simple. Let’s make sure your home-on-wheels doesn’t turn into a money pit on wheels.
🗓️ Monthly RV Maintenance Checklist
AKA: The “Hey, don’t ignore me!” tasks.
- Inspect Roof & Seals
Even if your RV lives under a cover, check for cracks, gaps, or signs of water intrusion. Water damage is sneaky, expensive, and not the kind of indoor pool you want. - Check Tire Pressure & Condition
Tires lose pressure even when parked. Uneven wear? Cracks? Time to rotate—or replace before they self-destruct on I-40 in the middle of nowhere. - Test Smoke, CO & Propane Detectors
Push the test buttons. If they beep, great! If not, time for batteries—or a trip to the store. Safety first, folks. - Run the Generator
Let it run under a 50% load for about 30 minutes. Generators like attention. If ignored, they throw tantrums (i.e., refuse to start when you really need AC). - Flush the Toilet with Love
Use RV-safe toilet chemicals and keep the black tank happy. Trust us, an unhappy black tank will ruin your day—and possibly your weekend.
📆 Quarterly RV Maintenance Checklist
AKA: The “just enough to feel like a responsible adult” tasks.
- Check Battery Water Levels (for lead-acid batteries)
Top them off with distilled water. Low water = shorter battery life = expensive replacements. - Clean the A/C Filters
Especially after dusty desert trips. If you can’t remember the last time you did this… it’s time. - Inspect the Slide-Out Seals
Clean and lubricate them so they don’t dry out, crack, or decide to become leaky doors for rain and road noise. - Inspect & Lube the Hitch and Stabilizers
Squeaky hitches are annoying. Rusty ones are dangerous. A little grease goes a long way. - Clean Your Tanks (Yes, All of Them)
Use a tank cleaner for the fresh water system and a black tank flush if available. Don’t skip this. Future you will thank you.
🗓️ Yearly RV Maintenance Checklist
AKA: The “adulting level: expert” tasks.
- Deep Clean & Sanitize the Fresh Water System
Flush it with bleach (¼ cup per 15 gallons of water), let it sit for 12 hours, then rinse thoroughly. It’s not glamorous, but drinking sketchy water is worse. - Inspect & Reseal the Roof (if needed)
Even the best seals degrade. Get up there (safely!) and reseal any suspect spots with RV sealant. Or hire a pro if heights make your palms sweat. - Service the Brakes
If you tow or have a motorhome, don’t skip this. Brakes are kind of important, especially on steep descents where white-knuckling isn’t a strategy. - Check Wheel Bearings & Repack if Needed
Repacking them extends their life and prevents fun surprises like tire loss. Not a joke. - Professional Inspection
Once a year, let a tech give your rig a once-over. They might spot stuff you missed—like the wasp nest in your furnace vent. (Yes, that happens.)
🧰 Bonus Tips from the Road
- Keep a maintenance log. Not only does it help you remember what you did, but it’s gold if you ever sell your RV.
- Store spare fuses, bulbs, and a toolkit with the essentials (duct tape and zip ties included).
- Never trust your memory. If something seems off, write it down and check it next stop.
🏁 Final Thoughts
RV maintenance isn’t glamorous, but neither is getting stranded 200 miles from civilization because you ignored a squeak. A little regular upkeep = fewer headaches, more freedom, and way fewer panicked Google searches for “why does my RV smell like eggs.”
So grab your checklist, your coffee (or beer—no judgment), and give your rig the TLC it deserves. Happy trails and trouble-free travels!