The Complete & Simple RV Preparation Checklist for Spring

One of the first lessons you learn when you purchase an RV is that they require organized and regular maintenance. It’s likely that as an RV owner, you fall into one of two categories: a full-timer or a seasonal camper. If you’re a seasonal camper like most, you’ve probably kept your rig bundled up in storage through the winter months. No matter how or when you use your RV, spring is the perfect time for annual maintenance and systemized checks.

A simple RV preparation checklist is a great way to stay organized and get your rig ready for its first road trip of the season. Plus, knowing what mistakes to avoid in the process will put your mind at ease, and make your upcoming adventures a whole lot more enjoyable!

Why spring?

In most cases, spring weather is the safest time to work on your RV without the fear of a deep freeze.

If you stored your RV throughout the winter, you probably took certain steps to winterize and prepare your rig for cold storage. If that was the case, the first step in the spring is to reverse this process and gear up for active use.

The Basic Preparation Checklist

• Check the RV Batteries and Make Sure they have a Full Charge
• Flush the RV Water System and Refill it with Potable Water
• Check for any Water Leaks
• Check RV Appliances
• Check RV Tires
• Check Fluids in Engine and Generator and Change As Needed
• Inspect The Seams & Seal
• Perform A Full Safety Check
• Avoid Common Mistakes — See the Top 10 Mistakes Below

1. Check the RV batteries

Batteries are a great place to start your spring spruce up. Batteries lose up to 10% of their energy per month when in storage and not in use. It’s important to make sure your batteries are fully charged and have the correct water levels (check your battery manual).

If the batteries were removed for storage, make sure they are reconnected correctly. Remember! Batteries can be dangerous. Take every precaution, and if you aren’t comfortable messing with them, have a service engineer do the process for you.

2. Flush The RV Water Tank, Check for Leaks, and Sanitize

• Connect one end of your drinking hose to city water and the other to the RV.
• Run the water continuously through the entire system. You want to remove every trace of the non-toxic RV antifreeze you used to winterize.
• If you have an outside shower hose, be sure to flush that as well.
• If for any reason your fresh water tank had antifreeze added to it, you will need to drain off any remaining water from the tank.
• Next, add fresh potable water and turn the water pump on. Open every faucet in your RV and keep the water running until the water runs clear.
• Once clear water appears, you can turn off the pump and close the faucets.
• Fill the water heater tank with potable water and flush that system out with fresh water. There should be no remnants of antifreeze in the system.
• Once the system is completely flushed you can replace your water filter cartridge if you have one.

Now it’s time to check for leaks.

Grab a flashlight and turn on the water pump. Wait until the sound of the pump stops. Once the water pump stops and the water is pressurized you can turn the pump off and begin your search.

Look underneath your sink cabinets, around the toilet, and inside your basement compartments. Anywhere water might flow you want to watch for potential leakage. Take your time with this process. If you locate a leak, be sure to have it repaired before you leave on your first trip of the season.

This is also a good time to sanitize the water system.

• Close all the drains and make sure drain plugs are in.
• Use a quarter cup of household bleach per 15 gallons of fresh water (if your water tank holds 30 gallons you will need a half cup of bleach). Combine the bleach with fresh water in a gallon container and then pour it into your partially full fresh water tank. Fill the water tank completely.
• Turn the pump on and let the water run through the faucets.
• In a short time, you will begin to smell bleach.  Close the faucets and let the tank sit overnight.
• In the morning, drain all the water from the tank and fill it with fresh water.
• Turn the pump back on and let the faucets run and run until you no longer smell bleach.
• If necessary, you may want to repeat this process over the next couple of days.

Completing this process will give you peace of mind knowing that your water is clean and fresh every time!

3. Check the RV Appliances

If your RV uses propane (Also called LP gas) you need to check the tanks, the connections, the valve and the firing operation. Propane is often used to operate the hot water, the fridge, and the stove. If something isn’t working correctly, have your system checked by a professional. Make sure to have a leak test and a gas pressure test each year. You want to be sure that this highly important system is working safely.

If you have refillable propane tanks, check the dates on the tanks. Most people are unaware that their propane tanks expire and must be re-certified for safety. Check yours annually.

Once your propane appliances are in compliance, spend some time checking your microwave, air conditioner, fridge or any other electric appliances in your rig. Make sure you plug into a solid source of 30 or 50 amp power. Many people choose to park their RV at an RV park while they test out their systems each spring.

4. Check the RV Tires

Tires are a hot topic in the RV industry. Some companies say RV tires should be fully replaced every 5 years. Others claim that if properly cared for they can last 10 years. Either way, you must check your tires to be sure they are ready for the season. Your entire home relies on the safety of these wheels, so give them the attention they deserve.

First, check the air pressure. While in storage, tires lose pressure. Check your manual and fill each tire according to the recommended PSI. Inspect each tire for tread wear and cracking especially in the sidewalls. If you have any concerns, be sure to have a professional inspect the tires prior to leaving on a trip.

Don’t let a blowout ruin your fun. Check those tires!

5. Inspect the RV Engine and Generator

Now we are ready to tackle the engine! Yup, the all-important part that gets you where you want to go deserves some attention too.

Start by checking all of the fluid levels and make sure they are full and fresh. If you don’t know what your coach uses look in your owner’s manual or contact your dealer. Here are the fluids you want to check:

• Transmission
• Power Steering
• Engine Coolant
• Engine Oil
• Windshield Washer
• Brake Fluid
• Generator Oil

If you have low fluids in one area, this may indicate a problem or a leak. Take some time to figure out what is happening to the fluid. You will want to service your engine and the fluids on a regular basis. If you have been doing that and you have an issue, be sure to take it in to be looked at before you hit the road.

Now check all of your gauges. Are they giving accurate readings?

Check all of your lights. Check the lights on your trailer and the connections between your RV and your trailer.

Check your registration, insurance and vehicle emissions sticker.  Is everything up to date? If not, stop what you are doing and go get it done!

Your generator has been off for a long time and will need to be served according to the manual. Make sure the oil level is correct before you attempt to start the generator. If you didn’t store it correctly, you may have trouble restarting it. Inspect the exhaust area before starting. Do you see any problems? If not, start the generator and plan to let it run for a couple of hours. It doesn’t have to be on full load, but it needs to run for a while to get the engine ready for the season. The last thing you want is to travel without a generator.

Take the time to make sure everything is working properly.

6. Check the RV Seams

Most people forget about their RV seams. This is a mistake you don’t want to make. Each and every seam has leak potential. If you inspect and reseal the seams one or two times a year you are less likely to have a leak.

Start by inspecting the roof and moving down over the body of the rig. Look for any openings, cracks or forms of damage. Is there any separation? Is there a specific area that shows wear? Use RV compatible sealants and research which type of sealant is best for the material you want to repair. If your roof shows wear, you may want to consider having it professionally resurfaced and sealed. Ask your local RV dealer for their personal recommendation. If you plan to work on the roof yourself, please be careful.

7. Explore Your Safety

With the outside complete, it’s time to move back in the RV. You will want to check the following devices and update their batteries or have the items inspected and recharged

• Smoke detector
• Carbon Monoxide Detector
• PL Gas Leak Detector
• Fire Extinguisher

These 7 steps are an essential part of preparing for a safe road trip. Don’t skimp. Take the time to inspect each part of your RV’s system. If you are unable to do the work yourself, book a spring session with a recommended RV technician.

If you’re feeling energetic, consider spring cleaning the inside of your coach as well. Here are a few things to freshen up:

• Bedding and Towels
• Rugs
• Blinds or Curtains
• Floors
• Inside the fridge and freezer
• Wipe the pantry and the drawers
• Wipe the shelves
• Wipe cabinets inside and out
• Blankets
• Lawn Furniture
• Wash All Pots, Pans and Dishes
• Clean under the sinks
• Wash the windows inside and outside
• Clean the mirrors
• Toss old toiletries and add new

You may not have time to do every step listed,  but this list gives you an idea of what may be needed. Every RV will be different. The key is to set time aside to prepare for the RV season.

8. Avoid RV Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes. Even the most seasoned RVers occasionally forget to bring in the awning or properly latch the pantry. Unfortunately, some RV mistakes are more costly and dangerous than others.

In an effort to help you prevent costly repairs or unpleasant experiences, we have compiled a list of 10 RV mistakes you should avoid.

1 – Going Too Far, Too Fast

Let’s face it. Not everyone has the luxury of taking an extended RV trip. Most of us are simply trying to cram in as much as possible in our two-week vacation window. But there is nothing that brings on stress during an RV trip more than a fast pace.

At the time, it might have seemed like a good idea to drive from New York to the Grand Canyon and back again during your kid’s spring break, but at some point that fast pace of travel will catch up with you. After all, if you drive for six hours every day, that doesn’t leave much time for fun. Slow down. Plan a less ambitious route. Take shorter trips. Enjoy your RV!

2 – Buying The Wrong RV

There’s an RV out there for everyone. From small tow-behind trailers to luxury coaches with all the bells and whistles. If you take your time and explore all the options, you can find the right RV for your needs. But if you rush into it and buy the first RV you come across, chances are good that it might not be a great fit.

Go to a few RV shows, poke around all the different kinds of RVs, and ask questions on online forums. Or maybe even rent an RV or two to get a feel for what you want and need. The right RV for you is out there, you just need to take the time to find it.

3 – Not Bringing in the Awning

You love your RV awning. It provides shade, protection from the rain, and privacy in cramped RV parks. But that same awning is also a notoriously fickle accessory. It only takes a few seconds of high wind and driving rain to turn a perfectly good awning into a heap of twisted metal and shredded fabric.

The solution is easy. Bring your awning in at the first sign of bad weather. Don’t leave it out when you’re not there and don’t trust the automatic awning wind sensors. When it comes to expensive RV awnings you’re always better safe than sorry. When it doubt…roll it up!

4. Forgetting to Disconnect

Oops…looks like they forgot something! Have you ever seen an RV driving down the road dragging behind an electrical cord or sewer hose? It happens more often than you might think. There’s a lot to remember when you pack up and leave a campground. One of the most important things is to disconnect all utilities.

5. Being a Bad Campground Neighbor

You might be a bad campground neighbor if…you blare your music late into the night, don’t pick up after your dog, or carelessly dump your tanks leaving behind a mess for the next camper. No one wants to be a bad neighbor, and no one wants to camp next to a bad neighbor. Campgrounds are like small communities. If we are considerate of one another, then it is much more enjoyable for everyone.

6. Not Leveling the RV

No one wants to sleep on an angle. No one wants to make an uphill climb every time they walk from one end of the RV to the other, and NO one wants to use the RV bathroom at a slant. Luckily this is an easy problem to solve.

Simply level your RV. The process varies from RV to RV depending on what type you have, but the basic premise is the same. You can’t rely on campground sites to be level (even the paved ones in fancy RV parks) so let your RV do the work for you.

7. Packing Too Much

It can be tempting to cram as much into your RV as possible. After all, if you have the space why not bring it? Here’s the thing though. RVs have weight limits. Limits that when exceeded can make driving – and stopping – your RV dangerous for you and those around you on the road.

Chances are, if you stock your RV with a reasonable amount of provisions, you won’t be overweight. But if you start throwing in everything from those five extra chairs, your large toolbox, and the giant cast iron dutch oven…you could be in trouble. Make a list, cross off things you don’t need, check it again, and cross off a few more things. After all, in the end, an RV trip is more about the experiences you have than the things you bring.

8. Forgetting to Check and Recheck

Before driving your RV anywhere, you should always check and recheck. Walk around the rig and check the lights, the outside compartment doors, and the trailer or tow vehicle connections. Make sure the T.V. antenna or satellite dish is in place, and all the windows and vents are closed.

Inside the RV, check that all cupboards and doors are latched, check to be sure items are properly stowed, and that the refrigerator is closed all the way. Make yourself a list and go through it one at a time before driving down the road. You can save yourself a lot of potential problems and money by thoroughly checking and rechecking every time.

9. Never Defrosting the Freezer

This might seem like a small thing. But when you go to pack your RV freezer full of homemade lasagna and fresh fruit only to discover it has filled with an icy mass, you’ll be glad you took the time to defrost. RV freezers are not the same as residential freezers. Over time, ice will build up in the back of the freezer, taking away precious storage space and causing the freezer to not work as well.

The process of defrosting the freezer is simple. Turn off the fridge, remove the food, and let the frost melt. To save time you can use a hairdryer to speed up the melting process. For more detailed instructions check out this guide from the folks over at My RV Kitchen: Defrosting RV Freezer.

10. Not Learning How to Drive the RV

RVs are not cars. They are tall, long, and heavy. It’s important that you learn how to properly drive your RV. There are certain techniques such as slowing down in high winds, learning how to turn and properly backing up, that will probably take some time to learn.

Don’t rush into it. Take your RV to a large empty parking lot and practice, practice, practice. Consider taking an RV Driving Class, or maybe ask other RVers for advice and tips. Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of not learning how to drive your RV.

Final Thoughts

Don’t wait until the last minute and skimp on your safety. Take some time this spring to get your RV ready so that when that travel itch hits you, you can be on the road in no time.

If you’ve completed this simple RV preparation checklist, you know you have done everything necessary for a great trip. Ready to get rolling? Check out our Ultimate RV Essentials Guide to make sure you don’t forget the important stuff on your next adventure!

What about you? Do you have certain items that you think should be placed on the RV preparations checklist? Are there items that you check on your rig that are not listed above?  Comment your best tips and tricks to help other fellow RVers.

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