Preparing Your RV for the new Camping Season

Preparing Your RV for the New Camping Season

If you are like me, you have been chomping at the bit, just waiting for the next camping season to begin. You’re tired of shoveling snow, you’ve stared at the inside walls for months, and the good TV series are coming to an end. You’re ready to hit the road, find a quite place to camp, break out the barbeque and chairs, and spark up the campfire.

Before you get too excited, you better take some time to prepare your rig. As soon as the warm weather arrives, I allocate a weekend to prepare my trailer for the coming season. A few hours spent the prior weekend will help you avoid the frustration of a breakdown. The last thing you want is to be stuck on the side of the road when I am already at the campground sitting in my lounger enjoying the first chili dog of the year.

Follow my checklist and tips below, and you may just arrive on time to sample my almost famous “Randy’s Racin’ Chili.”
Let’s start at the bottom:
 

Tires:
Your RV has been sitting in the same spot all winter and maybe the sun was beating down on the tires every day. While modern tire compounds have improved, you need to inspect the tires thoroughly for cracks and damage. I also change my valve stems every 4 or 5 years.

An absolute must is checking the tire pressure. An underinflated tire will generate excess heat and will ultimately fail. Yes, you will miss out on the chili.

The spare tire is often neglected. If you miss the inspection of the spare, you will expand your vocabulary as you sit on the side of the road waiting for help.

For you campers in the great white north, I’ll share a tip my father taught me. Every fall, he would raise the trailer and place it up on blocks. This would keep the tires away from the snow and ice.
 

Electrical:
Take the time to connect the 12 volt plug to your tow vehicle. Check the running lights, brake lights, and turn signals. You don’t want a little run in with the law to dull your camping spirits.

Plug in the 120 volt system as well so you can test all of your appliances. Turn on the A/C, the furnace, and the fridge. I always do this a week or so in advance, so I will have time to make repairs if needed.

Inspect and test the 12 volt battery on your RV. Top off the battery cells with distilled water and fully charge the battery.

Change the 9V batteries in your smoke alarm and CO detector and push the test button. Don’t perform this test while your dog is in the RV; he will go crazy. Besides, it would be cruel and unusual.
 

Propane:
Top off the propane tanks. If you’re like my father, you can tell if the tank is full just by feeling the side to see if it is cold. This works even better if you pour hot water on the tank. The fill line will become cold again almost instantly while the top of the tank remains warm. Myself, I have upgraded to one of the modern valves complete with a level gauge.

Light all of the pilot lights; these can become clogged over the winter and may need to be cleaned. Run each appliance on the gas cycle as a test.
 

Flush:
If you are smart, you winterized the water system. If you didn’t, you now have a BIG problem which will surface on the flush cycle. Move the bypass valves back to the summer position and flush the system thoroughly. I don’t drink the water in my RV, but if you are so inclined, you may want to add purification tablets to your fresh water tank.
 

Clean and Shine:
Another lesson from Pop is to keep it clean. You want to look good for that first outing of the season, and as you hose off that winter grime, you have an opportunity to inspect the exterior.
RVs have the unique phenomenon called “black streaks.” All the elbow grease in the world won’t remove it. Purchase black streak remover from your local RV dealer for this task.

Roll out the awning and clean it with a soft bristle brush using a mild cleaner with just a touch of bleach to kill the mold. Be sure to allow the awning time to dry 100% prior to stowing. Dealers offer a special cleaner for this purpose. They also sell a roof cleaner and conditioner.
Inspect and Seal:

Now that everything is clean, it will be much easier to inspect. Over time RVs are more prone to leaks than your family home. Perhaps it’s the rough and tumble action of travelling down the interstate. Each year, you should inspect the roof for leaks and cuts from fallen branches. Look closely at every window and replace any cracked caulking, applying a flexible butyl mastic caulk.
 

Plan and Pack:
You may have unloaded essential elements for winter storage. Make yourself a checklist of the supplies, tools, and equipment you need and check it thoroughly before each trip. At the top of my list are the barbeque, lawn chairs, and firewood. I could stop here, and my list would be complete. For the more sophisticated campers you may need a longer list. If you still haven't received your complete  checklist do not wait any longer, go to the homepage and sign up now.

Plan your trip, book in advance. There are so many campers today that the campgrounds routinely fill up on weekends.

If you’re headed to Florida for spring break, don’t forget your Disney tickets.
Happy Camping!!!!!