RV Long-Term Maintenance Guide: 5 Overlooked Details That Extend Your "Home on Wheels" Lifespan

Detail #1: Tire Care ≠ Just Checking PSI

• "Flat Spotting" Danger:
  Tires develop permanent deformities when parked long-term. Move your RV at least 10 feet monthly or use dedicated tire cradles.

• Age Over Tread:
  Replace tires every 6 years regardless of tread depth (check DOT code—e.g., "2521" means 25th week of 2021).

• Load-Adjusted Pressure:
  Increase PSI by 10-15 when fully loaded (refer to cold tire pressure on door jamb sticker).

Detail #2: Your Battery’s Silent Enemies

• Parasitic Drain Check:
  Use a multimeter to confirm post-shutdown draw stays below 50mA (common culprits: faulty CO detectors, inverter ghosts).

• Winter Storage Hack:
  Disconnect negative terminal, maintain 50-80% charge, and use a smart maintainer monthly (lead-acid batteries die if fully drained).

• Upgrade Smart:
  Frequent campers should switch to LiFePO4 lithium batteries—3x lifespan and 80%+ discharge capability.

Detail #3: Sealing the Invisible Water Wars

• Annual Sealant Audit:
  Flag exterior seams with painter’s tape; inspect for interior leaks after rain. Re-seal with self-leveling lap sealant.

• Drainage TLC:
  Blow out roof gutters and fridge drain tubes with compressed air to prevent mold-friendly blockages.

• Awning CPR:
  Brush off debris before retracting, apply 303 Aerospace Protectant quarterly for UV resistance.

Detail #4: Grease ≠ One-Size-Fits-All

• Brake Buddy Lubrication:
  Annual disassembly of drum brakes to grease brake camshafts with high-temp lithium grease (never on pads!).

• Suspension SOS:
  Check torsion axle rubber cords for cracks biennially; treat leaf spring suspensions with fluid film.

• Electrical Connector Care:
  7-pin connectors demand dielectric grease—regular grease causes resistance issues.

Detail #5: The Slow Poison Inside

• LP Detector Expiry:
  Replace sensors every 5 years regardless of green lights (label installation dates).

• Mold Prevention Playbook:
  Use damp-rid buckets during storage, hang cedar blocks in closets, skip chemical odor masks.

• Tank Sanitation Pro Tip:
  Quarterly flush with ¼ cup unscented bleach + 15 gallons water (4-hour soak), then rinse thoroughly.

Maintenance Quick-Reference Chart