So you’ve bought your first recreational vehicle. Now what? Like most vehicles, recreational vehicles require maintenance to keep the mobile home running at it’s best for the next few years.

The demands of a constantly moving recreational vehicle is like using any other portable equipment like a laptop. A laptop is only as good as it is taken care of. You only take it out of its case when you need it. You plug it into a voltage regulator before plugging into a wall socket, you place it in places when it won’t get knocked off the table or stepped on. You stay away from dangerous places, upgrade it when you can and clean it every week.

Taking care of an RV is the same as that.

Here are few things to keep a constant check on. The fundamentals of rv maintenance!

1. Check your fuel filters. Clogged filters will make it harder for the RV to perform efficiently. This is due to the strain when the filters block fuel or air to the firing chamber. Blocked filters can corrode the surrounding area, costing you much more than cleaning it. You wouldn’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere when that happens.

2. Check your oxygen sensor. Older coaches have oxygen sensors that will degrade over time. Newer models do not have this defect.

3. Check air filters and replace them every three months, depending on the environment. Air filters have much to contribute to keeping the insides of the engine clean. When the filters are worn, spend the time to have them replaced. Also have the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve regularly checked. A faulty PCV causes oil leaks and wastes energy that could be put to better use.

4. Check brake pads and brake fluid. Brake pads will get worn down fast in hilly and steep terrain. Check the brake fluid lines regularly for leaks and damage.

5. Check ingnition. The contact points on the ignition needs to be checked every six months. When your engine is starting to have a hard time starting. Roll into the gas station and have the contact points and spark plugs replaced.

6. Shock absorbers wear out after about a year. This part is vital to smooth ride. So when you start feeling sharp bumps on an otherwise relatively smooth road, pull over and check the shocks. You will notice that most gas stations are your friend in this regard.