Pre-Season Inspection
1. Exterior Check: How to Inspect and Prepare Your RV's Exterior
- Roof & Seals: Climb safely onto the roof using a ladder.
- Look for cracks, soft spots, or peeling sealant around vents, skylights, and seams.
- Apply RV-safe sealant to any areas showing wear.
- Click here for the free guide on this.
- Tires: Use a tire pressure gauge to check each tire, inflating to the recommended PSI (usually found on the tire sidewall or in the RV manual).
- Inspect for cracks, bulges, or worn tread.
- Don't forget to grease your trailer bearings...often overlooked
- Lights: Turn on headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and running lights.
- Replace any burnt-out bulbs and ensure wiring is secure.
- Battery: Triple Test your batteries to ensure their strong and your converter charges them.
- Click Here for the free guide on this.
2. Interior Inspection: How to Ensure Your RV's Interior is Safe and Functional
- Pests & Moisture: Check cabinets, under sinks, and storage compartments for rodent droppings or nesting materials.
- Use a flashlight to spot any mold or water damage.
- Wipe surfaces with a mild disinfectant and address any moisture issues with a dehumidifier or moisture absorber.
- Appliances: Turn on the refrigerator and listen for the cooling fan. Ensure it switches between electric and propane if needed.
- Light the stove burners and check for an even flame.
- Run the air conditioner and furnace, making sure both produce the expected hot or cold air. Click Here for a free furnace troubleshooting guide. Click Here for a free fridge troubleshooting guide.
- Propane System: Fill a spray bottle with 1/3 soap and fill rest with water, turn on the propane tanks and spray soapy water solution the connections in your propane lines.
- Watch for bubbles, indicating a leak, and tighten connections or replace faulty hoses.
Sanitizing Your Water System
Step 1: Remove Antifreeze from Water Lines
- Connect your RV to a city water source or use the fresh water tank.
- Open all faucets (hot and cold) and run water until the pink antifreeze is fully flushed out.
- Don’t forget to run water through the shower, toilet, and any outdoor taps.
Step 2: Sanitize the Fresh Water System
- Prepare a bleach solution: Mix 1/4 cup of household bleach per 15 gallons of fresh water capacity.
- Add to the tank: Pour the solution into the fresh water tank using a funnel or siphon.
- Distribute bleach through lines: Turn on each faucet (hot and cold) until you smell bleach at every outlet.
- Let sit: Allow the solution to sit for 4–12 hours to sanitize the system.
- Flush: Drain the fresh tank, refill with clean water, and run all faucets until the bleach smell is gone. Repeat as needed.
- Replace water filters: If your RV has water filters, swap them out with new ones.
For the free guide on this Click Here
Step 3: Take Your Water Heater Off Bypass
- Locate the water heater, typically accessed through an interior panel near the unit.
- Identify the bypass valves, usually, there are three: one on the cold water inlet, one on the hot water outlet, and one connecting the two lines.
- Set the valves to "normal" mode so water can flow into the heater tank.
- Ensure the drain plug or anode rod is properly reinstalled before filling the tank.
- Open a hot water faucet to allow air to escape while the tank fills.
For the free guide on your Hot Water Tank Click Here.
Final Checks
- Test your water pump: Turn it on and confirm it's maintaining pressure without cycling excessively.
- Check your hot water heater: After ensuring the tank is full, switch it on and test for proper heating.
- Inspect for leaks: With the water pump running, check under sinks, around the water heater, and along all plumbing for drips.
Ready to Roll!
By following these step-by-step instructions, your RV will be dewinterized, sanitized, electrically ready and/or will reveal more in-depth issues that need addressing. Taking the time to prep your rig now means fewer surprises on the road. Happy camping and smooth travels! 🚐💨
This article was written in co-operation between RV Owners Helping RV Owners (ROHRO) and DM Tech RV Education.
DIY RV repairs aren't always the answer, but the more you know, the more money you can save! 👍
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