Maintaining your Motorhome
Your motorhome is likely to be one of your biggest investments, so keeping it well-maintained is definitely worth the effort! In this blog, we’ll take a look at some of the important steps you can add to your motorhome maintenance schedule to keep it in tip-top condition.
If you’re in the process of motorhome buying or looking at motorhomes for sale, this blog will give you a great head start on how to care for your RV.
Why is it important to maintain your motorhome?
A well-maintained motorhome not only means it will be safer and more comfortable to travel in, but it will also reduce the likelihood of expensive repairs. Regular inspections can help flag any issues before they become larger problems. As well as that, should you decide to sell or trade in your motorhome later, you’re likely to achieve a better price.
Top tips for maintaining your motorhome
Here are some handy pointers to help you create an easily manageable maintenance schedule:
Clean your motorhome regularly inside and out
Giving your motorhome a regular interior and exterior clean is important. Regular cleaning and polishing (where needed) often shows up problem areas that you might otherwise miss.
Wiping down benchtops and surfaces, vacuuming or sweeping, and sanitising the bathroom and toilet should be done at least weekly. You may wish to do this more often depending on the number of travellers and level of use your motorhome has. You may even need to do this daily if you’re staying somewhere dusty, or if you’ve got small children or pets travelling with you. Don’t forget to include things like the awning, upholstery, window blinds, curtain tracks and anywhere that dust and dirt might collect.
Washing down your motorhome’s exterior will help keep it looking good and prevent the build-up of dust and debris around hatches and seals. It’s also a good opportunity to check for any external damage that may need seeing to.
Check all seals
An important part of your regular maintenance schedule is checking your motorhome’s seals. Degrading seals are a common cause of water leakages – something you want to avoid at all costs. Prevention is definitely better than cure!
When checking your motorhome seals, look for signs of cracking, loosening, sticking and jamming, or other damage. Be sure to check the seals around:
- Windows and exterior doors
- Exterior lockers and hatches
- The gas bottle locker
- Your toilet cassette
Don’t be tempted to use detergent such as washing up liquid or soap when cleaning rubber seals. This can cause the seals to become sticky. Simply wipe the seals with a damp cloth and allow them to dry naturally. Once you’ve cleaned the seals, you can lubricate them with a silicone spray. This helps keep them in good condition and prevents any sticking. Once you’ve cleaned the seals and allowed them to dry, spray the silicone onto a clean cloth and wipe over and around each seal.
Clean all vents
Next on your maintenance schedule is cleaning and checking the vents and hatches in your motorhome. Vents can quickly build up a layer of dust and dirt that can be hard to remove if left too long. This dirt build-up can prevent your vents from working properly. So it’s a good idea to wipe down your vents regularly. You may also need to unscrew and remove the vent casing occasionally and give it a more thorough clean. Use warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Common places for vents and hatches in your motorhome include:
- Living room and bedroom ceilings
- Bathroom and toilet ceiling
- Motorhome cab ceilings
- Oven rangehood
- Behind the fridge
Check all hose connections
As you go about your cleaning regime, remember to check the connections and fittings on each hose within your motorhome. This includes your water hoses and LPG hoses. Look for signs of leaking and wear or damage to the hose or fittings. Here are a few tips for caring for hoses:
- Rinse your wastewater hose after each empty.
- Disinfect your wastewater hose regularly.
- Store your freshwater hose in a clean bag or container when not in use to help prevent contamination.
- Sanitise your drinking hose twice a year.
Inspect your roof
An area often forgotten because it is more difficult to get at is the rooftop. Check and clean your rooftop as part of your regular motorhome maintenance schedule. Care is required here, and the recommendation is that it be done on level ground with a sturdy ladder. Rather than climb on the roof and risk damage or a fall, stand on the ladder and use an extension brush.
Top tip: Don’t forget to clean any solar panels. Dirt and debris build-up on your panels can hinder their performance, so be sure to keep them clean.
Check your awning
Before retracting your awning after each use, be sure to sweep off any debris, such as leaves or dust. It’s recommended that you give your awning a good clean at least once every six months. It’s also a good idea to give it a thorough clean before putting your RV (or just the awning) into storage for an extended period of time.
To clean your RV awning, you may find it is sufficient to use water and a soft brush or towel. If your awning is very dirty or stained, you may need to use a cleaning product that is suitable for your RV awning fabric type. Avoid using household cleaning products or industrial detergents, and never use a water blaster.
Aside from cleaning, there is little other maintenance to be done. However, the springs may need to be re-tensioned from time to time. If your RV awning isn’t rolling up straight or has started to sag, the springs might need attention. It’s not really a DIY job unless you know what you are doing, so it’s worth seeking out the help of one of our RV experts.
Regular Warrant of Fitness (WOF) and service
In order to get the most out of your motorhome, it’s recommended that you book in a regular yearly service. This will reduce the chance of anything major going wrong and helps keep you safe as you travel. Your local Apollo RV Super Centre dealership has the experience and facilities to undertake your regular service, along with your warrant of fitness (WOF).
Yearly service for appliances
It’s not just what’s under the hood that needs regular servicing. It’s also recommended that you schedule a yearly service and check on your motorhome’s major appliances, such as the fridge and freezer, oven, and hobs.
Toilet cassette housing
Something many motorhome owners prefer not to think about until it is too late is the care and maintenance of the toilet cassette housing. The cassette itself has seals, and since there are a few moving parts, it’s good to clean not only the cassette itself but the entire cassette housing. To clean your toilet cassette, the first step is to empty the waste and rinse the tank out at a dump point. If this is done regularly, you should only need to use a tank cleaner at the end of each season.
The other key item on your toilet maintenance list is the blade and rubber seal. It’s a good idea to keep the seal lubricated, especially after a long period of not being used. Use a silicone spray or Thetford Seal Lubricant. It’s a good idea to do this at the end of each season.
Top tip: Check out our handy online guide to how to operate your RV toilet.
Battery/electrical system check
Generally speaking, most 240V mains electrical items are best left to licensed electricians to attend to. However, a regular visual check on the insulation and condition of your motorhome’s plugs and sockets is recommended. Clues to look for include damage to the outer sheath of the cable, exposed copper conductors, and plugs/sockets with heat damage.
Likewise, checks on your LPG gas system are recommended and best left to those who are licensed. Speaking of electrical and gas safety, don’t forget to ensure you have working gas and fire alarms in your motorhome. It’s a good idea to carry a fire extinguisher too.
Ready to maintain or upgrade your motorhome?
Now that you’ve given your motorhome a good clean-up, you may be thinking about upgrading to a newer model! The first step on your journey to buying a great new motorhome is to start researching RVs for sale. And one of the best places to look is at Apollo RV Super Centre’s ex-rental campervans for sale.
You might also like to pop into your nearest Apollo RV Super Centre dealership. The friendly team are motorhome and campervan experts and can help you find the best campervan or motorhome to suit you and your travel lifestyle. Ready to buy a motorhome with Apollo RV Super Centre? Take the first step and check out the great range online today.