The snow is finally melting, and Spring has officially arrived in northern Minnesota, which means it’s time to pull your camper out of storage and make sure it’s ready for summer adventures. After months of sitting in storage, it’s going to take more than just hooking it up to make sure it’s ready to hit the road. Every RVer should have a spring RV tune-up checklist they can reference to help catch small issues before they turn into big repairs and ensure they can travel safely. Here’s what you need to make sure you check before you head out on your first camping trip.
Always Start with an Exterior Inspection
One of the best ways to begin your spring tune-up check is to thoroughly inspect the exterior of your RV for winter or cold-weather damage, especially if your RV sits outdoors during the winter. A full exterior inspection should include:
- Inspecting the roof for soft spots or cracks and any damaged sealants around the seams, air conditioners, and vents.
- Check all slide-out seals, window caulking, and the door gaskets for peeling or cracks.
- Check for any signs of water or moisture damage, like dark streaks or stains, or soft spots on the roof or walls.
- Check under the RV to ensure nothing is hanging or leaking.
After you’ve completed your inspection, you should take time to carefully inspect your tires for damage. The tires are often overlooked, but can be one of the most dangerous issues if left unchecked. You want to inspect the sidewalls for obvious signs of damage, like bulges or cracks. If there is no obvious damage, then you can inflate them to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI – and don’t forget to do your spare tire! You’ll also want to torque the lug nuts to spec, in case they loosen during storage.
Once your exterior inspection is completely done, the last thing you want to do is clean the exterior and apply a coat of wax or UV protectant to help prevent sun damage.
De-Winterize the Plumbing System
De-winterizing is probably the step that most RVers dread most, but it’s essential for prolonging the life of your RV’s plumbing system and will help prevent expensive repairs. De-winterizing just means flushing the antifreeze from the waterlines. To do this, you need to make sure your hot water tank is unbypassed (the valve should be pointed toward the hot water line); it was likely bypassed during the winterization process so the antifreeze wouldn’t enter the tank. Now you need to un-bypass it so that you can sanitize the systems with a simple bleach solution. Once the system is completely flushed, reconnect the water heater and test for leaks or slow drains.
If you notice a funny smell or slow draining, it’s worth taking your RV to our service center for further inspection.
For a thorough video walkthrough, check out this video that takes you through step-by-step how to flush your RV’s plumbing system.
Test the Batteries and Electrical Systems
Many new RVers are surprised by their RVs’ battery setups, so we’re going to break it down. RVs actually have two separate battery systems, the chassis battery and the house bank. The chassis powers everything related to the vehicle part of your RV (much like your car or truck). The house bank powers everything else, including the slide-out motors and the interior electrical system.
When de-winterizing, knowing this distinction will help you understand which system could be having an issue. You want to start by cleaning off any corrosion and checking the cable connections. Then you need to fully charge both the house and chassis batteries in order to test all interior and exterior lights. Make sure to check all of your GFCI outlets and test your smoke, carbon monoxide, and propane detectors. If you have a generator, now is a good time to make sure it starts up and powers everything properly.
Check Your Appliances and HVAC System
Once you’ve finished checking your battery and electrical systems, it’s time to test your HVAC system and large appliances. For most RV models, this includes a furnace, air conditioner, television, refrigerator, washer and dryer, and stove. Some high-end models may include a fireplace, dishwasher, or security systems. Make sure each one turns on and is running properly.
This is also a good time to replace the air filters in the furnace and A/C units, and make sure the vents and exhaust ports aren’t clogged by debris.
Finish Off with Interior Spring Cleaning
The final, and arguably the most exciting part of your Spring RV tune-up checklist, is finally getting to prepare the interior for clean, comfortable traveling. The first thing you want to do is open all the windows in the RV to get rid of that old, musty air smell and let that fresh air in. Next is the spring cleaning part of the checklist:
- Dust/wipe down all surfaces
- Vacuum
- Check for any signs of pests, particularly mice (be sure to check inside cabinets and under sinks)
- Test the slide-outs, awnings, and leveling systems
- Make sure your emergency kit is up-to-date, including a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
- If you have had the chance, this is a great time to launder your RV bedding and clean any camping equipment or dishes.
When to Seek Professional RV Services
Many steps of your Spring tune-up checklist can be done yourself, but if you’re short on time, don’t feel comfortable de-winterizing your RV, or if you find anything of concern, you can bring your RV to our Duluth RV service center for service. At Bullyan RV, we offer Spring Specials on our De-Winterization Packages; check out the different levels below:
We’re an authorized service center for the brands that we carry, and our team knows how to work on every model that comes through our center. If you are ready to shake off the winter season and get your rig ready for the summer, a proper Spring tune-up will save you major headaches down the road.
