FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions about RV's and RV'ing
- How Often Should I Repack Wheel Bearings on my Travel Trailer or 5th Wheel?
- How Often Should I Service My Batteries?
- How Do I Keep My Rubber Roof Healthy?
- What If I Smell L.P. In My R.V.?
- How Much Air Pressure Should I Put In My Tires?
- My Roof A/C Does Not Seem To Cool Properly- What Can I Do?
- Why Do I Have Holding Tank Odor In My R.V.?
- Why Does My Water Heater Smoke & Soot Up The Side Of My R.V.?
- How Do I Keep My Awnings Looking Good & Operating Properly?
Wheel bearings should be serviced at least once per year or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. At which time you should repack all wheel bearings, replace inner grease seals, clean inspect and adjust brakes, rotate tires, check tire pressure and break-away switch. Typically lug nuts should be torqued to 95 ft/lbs and checked after 50 miles and before each trip.
Batter water levels should be checked on a regular basis; every 3 to 4 weeks. Terminals and connections should be kept clean and corrosion free. Make sure all connections are tight. Remove terminals or use battery disconnects when your trailer is not in use.
2 to 4 times per year rubber roofs should be cleaned well and inspected for cracks or damaged areas. Most rubber roof manufacturers require that the roof membrane be cleaned and treated at least twice per year in order to maintain warrantable status. Also inspect all roof seam seals at these times. (i.e. vents, edge seams, skylights, t.v. antenna, etc.)
Turn off L.P. supply immediately! Open doors or windows to ventilate. Make sure all appliances are turned off. Check stove and oven burners. If you cannot determine the cause of the odor do not re-open L.P. supply until the system can be thoroughly inspected by a certified R.V. technician.
Every manufacturer supplies a "spec tag" to inform you of the proper pressure for your particular R.V. If your spec tag cannot be located or is no longer legible refer to the recommended pressure on the sidewall of the tire.
In most cases, poor A/C performance is due to insufficient air flow. Dirty or clogged filters, dirty or clogged evaporator coil or dirty, clogged or damaged condensor fins. Units should be checked annually by a qualified technician.
There are several possible causes of holding tank odor. To minimize odor make sure holding tanks are dumped and rinsed thoroughly on a regular basis. Use proper amounts of the recommended tank chemicals/deodorizer. Make sure that the toilet flapper seals have not failed (toilet holds water) Finally, make sure that the tank vents on the roof are not damaged or obstructed.
Usual problems are improper L.P. pressure, restricted or dirty gas burner or poor air flow.
All awnings should be cleaned on a regular basis. Using a mild dish soap detergent mixed with water and a soft long-handled brush is usually sufficient. All sliding arms and rafters should be cleaned and lubricated 3 to 4 times per year, depending on weather conditions. (more often if needed) As always, it is generally best to follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Just remember that R.V.'s don't usually break down in your driveway. Proper maintenance and regular check-ups at your service center will make all of your R.V. experiences less troublesome and much more enjoyable!
If you have a question about your R.V. that isn't listed above, please contact us and let us know!