Spring RV Inspection: Battery, Water, Gas Appliances

For many RV and camper owners, the winter period we're just coming out of is something of a down season. Some may take the occasional trip this time of year, but due to a combination of tougher road conditions and many outdoor attractions being closed or off-limits, many will shut their RV down for a few months -- and when it's time to break it back out for the spring and summer, there are a few areas you should be inspecting first.

At Campers RV Center, we're happy to provide our clients with not only a huge range of RVs and campers, but also with the best service department in the area for any needs you may have. However, many areas of RV maintenance come down to simple inspections, most of which you can carry out on your own. This two-part blog series will go over a number of areas to be sure you inspect as you're getting the RV ready for its active part of the year.

Battery

First and foremost, one item that may experience some minor issues while sitting idle during the winter is your RV's battery. Even if you left your battery charger on while the RV was in storage, there may be some degradation that has occurred. Inspect the terminals and posts for corrosion build-up, and give the entire battery a good cleaning with a baking soda/water solution if necessary.

If your battery is more than three years old or has been extensively used, you may want to consider purchasing a new one to ensure peak performance this season.

Water Levels

Another key item to check during your pre-season RV inspection is the water levels in all of your RV's tanks. Checking and topping off the fresh water, gray water, and black water tanks is an easy job that can save you headaches down the road. Low water levels can cause damage to your RV's plumbing, as well as create an unpleasant smell inside the vehicle.

Water Pump

Speaking of water levels, it's also vital to check the function of your RV's water pump. This can be done by turning on all of the faucets in the RV and checking for good water pressure. If you don't have good water pressure, it could mean that your water pump is not functioning properly and will need to be replaced.

Gas Appliances

There may be a few different gas appliances in your RV, such as the stove, oven, or furnace. These should all be inspected for any leaks and/or damage. If you smell gas in the RV, turn off all of the appliances and ventilate the vehicle before investigating further.

In part two, we'll go over even more themes to consider here. For more on this, or to learn about any of our RVs or campers, speak to the team at Campers RV Center today.