Its almost spring time and most people are getting ready for camping and vacation travel. This is the best time to think about dewinterizing your plumbing and getting your RV ready by cleaning it.
Spring cleaning an RV requires a complete walk-through inspection, a top to bottom cleaning, and doing the necessary maintenance and repairs to get ready for camping season and use.
The first place I like to start is cleaning the roof of my RV. That’s where a lot of issues begin because the roof takes the most abuse from damaging effects such as wind, water, sun, bird droppings, and other things from being stored outdoors uncovered. Even RV’s stored under covers need a washing and thorough inspection. Use a bucket with car wash such as rain x car wash https://amzn.to/4a2ZatO and a medium bristle long handle brush. Make sure to clean the slide roofs and awnings too. After the roof is washed, make sure to inspect the roof membrane for tears or punctures and check the sealant around everything mounted on the roof. Also check all the edge seams for cracks or loose sealant. Repair and reseal as needed with a RV roof sealant that is compatible with your type of roof.
Next, wash the exterior of your rig and continue inspecting the body. Check over lapping seams, loose or missing rivets, screws backing out, and sealant coming loose on corners or molding. If your RV has external storage compartments, wash and inspect them also. Pay particular attention to door seals, hinges and locking devices. If your RV has an engine, pop the hood and make sure you don’t have a family of critters living under the hood and all hoses, belts, and wires are in good order. Also, open your air cleaner box and check in there as it is a favorite place for those pests to make a home. Check your battery cables and connections. If you find corrosion, clean off with a simple solution of baking soda and water. That will neutralize the battery acid. Add a protectant on connections such as petroleum jelly, grease, just to name a few.
Cleaning the interior. I suggest open all the windows and let it air out while cleaning the blinds or shades, sweeping or vacuuming the floors, wiping down the counters and all surfaces with good cleaner. Mop the floor if applicable and don’t forget cleaning your bed linen, and any towels or things left in from last year. Make sure to clean and disinfect the bathroom and shower. Clean the refrigerator and freezer too. It’s a good idea to clean and inspect your A/C system at this time and wash the filters with soap and water an let them air dry.
Next, add water to your fresh water tank. Install drain plug into your hot water heater. Pressurize system and run water through your lines, faucets, hot water tank and toilet to get them free of air and cleared out of any antifreeze you may have added for winterization. Inspect all your lines to verify you don’t have any water leaks.
Last, but certainly not least, check your tire pressure and condition of your tires. Fill to manufacturer specifications. Now is a good time to also think about greasing your wheel bearings with a quality grease.https://amzn.to/3PeBISy A good rule of thumb is every 2 years or 12,000 miles to grease your bearings and replace the grease seals. Inspect your brake shoe linings at this time to ensure you have enough lining and its not burnt or scored, rusted, and in good working order.
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