Spent Thanksgiving with in-laws, we both have had RV’s for many years. We got talking about RV’s and upkeep. In-laws maint plan is to make sure everything works before they start a trip. They winterize and check air pressure in tires. Beyond that nothing. We on the other hand work off from our check list that has been developed over the years. Maint is a high priority for us, right down to the little things like making sure A/C bolts get a little turn, locks get lubed, lug nuts re-torqued even though tire have been on many miles and several years. Are we over doing it?Here is my question/comment.Over the years we both seem to upgrade or get another RV about every 10 or 12 years. Here is the kicker, about the same things have broken on both of our RV’s (water heaters, mother boards for furnance, etc). I bet we have 200 pounds of tools and stuff we carry with us. Our shed has one side that is nothing but RV type maint stuff. I bet my in-laws save money and space in the long run by just fixing stuff when it breaks. But that would drive me nuts. Your thoughts.

I inspect belts, hoses, etc. regularly. I rebuild the air dryer when it is due. I try to keep up with the scheduled maintenance.I would rather do two repairs at home than one in the emergency lane of the interstate.Things like water heaters, faucets, furnaces - I have and can repair those in a parking lot. I will often clean, inspect or upgrade such things because i LIKE doing it. I worry about the drivetrain failing. The motor home is hard to push into a parking lot.Matt B

We are somewhere in between the two of you.One big goal of ours is to keep it simple, go simple and go light. Never needed enough tools to do a complete refit on an aircraft carrier.But, yes. We do a good bit of preventive maintenance before and after each trip and even more after each season.

Sometimes it's hard to tell if preventive maintenance prevents anything.

I worked for a large utility company....power plants 24/7 operation.For decades the theme was PMs (Preventive Maintenance).We had routine PMs that had to be done weekly, monthly, semi-annual and documented.Then 'cost cutting' became the major driver. PMs went out the window and we went to 'Break down maintenance'.And you know what.........things ran & broke down at same frequency as when PMs where done. Big cost savings in labor/materialThat old saying-------"If it ain't broke, why fix it" really does hold true.For me, I can usually tell when something is going bad by sound, feel and observation. A skill that was acquired/honed over years of working with equipment.I go thru a routine check out prior to trip and fix what needs it when it breaks

maint does pay off, if you catch a wheel bearing BEFORE IT GOES BAD, cost $50.bucks ,after it tears half the bottom of your rv apart .thousands.

Maintenance RV or not? What is your style? | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Dec 01, 2014
.

Maint = good plan.

How much = everybody is different.

Frequency - Type of RV - Trailers = less, MH's = more.

Obvious 'basics' before you leave on a trip - no matter what type of RV.
They *ALL* have tires (check air pressure) - some don't have drive-lines.
No need to check the oil on a 5th wheel, LOL!

~
wildtoad
Explorer II
Dec 01, 2014
Once a year regardless of miles I turn the RV over to the Chevy dealer to make sure the RV is road worthy. Other than that put gas in it, check tire pressure. House components, mostly keep all accessible parts free of dirt. Wash the exterior when dirty.
pugslyyy
Explorer
Dec 01, 2014
I usually do an oil change before we hit the road, check fluid levels, etc. (Most of our trips are 7000+ miles)

When on the road we have a routine where once every week to ten days we have a maintenance day - my wife does laundry and I give the rig a going over. Works pretty well.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Dec 01, 2014
maint does pay off, if you catch a wheel bearing BEFORE IT GOES BAD, cost $50.bucks ,after it tears half the bottom of your rv apart .thousands.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 01, 2014
I worked for a large utility company....power plants 24/7 operation.
For decades the theme was PMs (Preventive Maintenance).

We had routine PMs that had to be done weekly, monthly, semi-annual and documented.

Then 'cost cutting' became the major driver. PMs went out the window and we went to 'Break down maintenance'.
And you know what.........things ran & broke down at same frequency as when PMs where done. Big cost savings in labor/material

That old saying-------"If it ain't broke, why fix it" really does hold true.

For me, I can usually tell when something is going bad by sound, feel and observation. A skill that was acquired/honed over years of working with equipment.

I go thru a routine check out prior to trip and fix what needs it when it breaks
korbe
Explorer
Dec 01, 2014
Sometimes it's hard to tell if preventive maintenance prevents anything.
downtheroad
Explorer
Dec 01, 2014
We are somewhere in between the two of you.
One big goal of ours is to keep it simple, go simple and go light. Never needed enough tools to do a complete refit on an aircraft carrier.

But, yes. We do a good bit of preventive maintenance before and after each trip and even more after each season.
oldmattb
Explorer
Dec 01, 2014
I inspect belts, hoses, etc. regularly. I rebuild the air dryer when it is due. I try to keep up with the scheduled maintenance.

I would rather do two repairs at home than one in the emergency lane of the interstate.

Things like water heaters, faucets, furnaces - I have and can repair those in a parking lot. I will often clean, inspect or upgrade such things because i LIKE doing it. I worry about the drivetrain failing. The motor home is hard to push into a parking lot.

Matt B

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Maintenance RV or not? What is your style?

18 Replies

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