Your travel trailer is designed to make each RV trip more comfortable and convenient every time you hit the road. But it’s going to need a little help with upkeep if you want things to stay the way they are. At-home travel trailer maintenance is an important part of extending the life of your rig, so take some time to regularly touch up parts of the trailer that need it. RV Four Seasons in Loveland and Wheat Ridge, Colorado have provided you with some of these tips to get you started. If you need additional help, then stop by and chat with one of our experienced staff. We proudly serve the entire Denver area, so visit us today!
Lubricate Seals
Seals are put in place when the manufacturer has to make a cut in the trailer’s frame. These cuts can create a weak point and moisture can leak in through the cracks. The seals prevent this from happening, but only for as long as the seals hold up. You’ll want to make sure they’re still doing their job by regularly inspecting for small holes and tears. If you find one, use silicone sealant to patch things up. To prevent it from happening entirely, periodically apply a coat of sealant conditioner to stop them from drying out and cracking.
Check Appliances
Your appliances are a key part of the comfortable camping experience you’d expect from an RV, so when one goes, it leaves a pretty big impact on the trip. This is why you’ll want to inspect them and test them periodically, especially if they’ve been sitting unused for a while, to ensure everything is good before you head out. Consider running and using your appliances and look for any inconsistencies or potential concerns. This could include a fridge that doesn’t cool down properly, gas stove flames that aren’t transparent or blue, or a booming sound in your furnace. All of these things can indicate there’s a problem with your energy system or with the appliance itself.
Grease Moving Parts
The most commonly used moving part on your travel trailer is probably going to be your slide-outs (if you have them). Slide-outs can help you maximize the amount of space you have to work with, but if they start to dry out or if too much debris gets caught in the mechanisms, it can lead to a big, expensive repair. Make sure to regularly (maybe two or three times a year) grease the tracks and bars with dry slide-out lubricant. While you’re at it, grease any door hinges or windows that might be getting a little squeaky.
Keep Humidity Down
One of the biggest threats to your travel trailer is moisture and water damage. Even if your seals are working properly and stopping outside water and moisture from getting in through the cracks, you’ll still need to keep humidity in the camper down. There are a few solutions to this, but one of the easiest and cheapest ways is to keep air flowing through the cabin. Open up some windows when it’s not too hot or too cold and for the days when this isn’t possible, think about investing in a dehumidifier. You can also limit the amount of humidity you create by opening the vents when someone is showering and using certain kitchen appliances more infrequently.
Sometimes though, it’s better to have the professionals step in. A trained technician will know exactly what to look for and will have the tools to access parts of your travel trailer that you can’t, or wouldn’t think to look at. Consider bringing in your trailer once in a while to a high quality service department, like the one you’ll find at RV Four Seasons. We welcome all current and future RV owners from Denver, Loveland, and Wheat Ridge, CO.
