An adventure enthusiast’s ultimate dream come true is owning an RV. However, over time it can pose some challenges, which might turn your dream into a nightmare. Fear not! After reading this blog you will know about some of the most common RV problems and how to fix and avoid them.
RV-ing should be a fun experience, any disruption in travel plans, and travel experience can become a buzzkill and create not-so-great memories. Hence it is important to arm yourself with this knowledge to ensure safe and memorable journeys on your RV.
Water Leaks and Plumbing Issues
One of the most common problems that even the most hardcore RV owners face often are water leaks and plumbing issues. Water leaks can occur around the edges of the roof, windows, or any other vents when their seals start to degrade over time. Whereas, plumbing issues can arise from different problems in the drainage pipes. For example, frozen or old pipes can break down, eventually, and flood your RV. Moreover, clogging is a major problem too, where different debris like hair, food, etc can block water flow. The pressure in pipes can increase causing the pipes to burst open.
Prevention:
To prevent these water-related problems from occurring the first thing to do is keep your eyes open. Watch for any signs of leaks near any seals and seams since they are the most common points for leaks to begin. Similarly, also look for leaks around any plumbing pipes, especially those related to your black water tank since it has to face the most solid-waste blockage.
In case of leaks, if you do notice any cracks or gaps where the sealant has given up. After assuring that no water damage has occurred yet, reapply a fresh layer of sealant immediately. The longer you ignore a problem, the worse it can get.
As for plumbing, it can be a good idea to place strainers around drains to prevent debris and food particles from entering the pipes. Moreover, avoid pouring grease down the drains since they can also result in clogs.
Electrical Problems
Electrical issues can be as minor as a blown fuse up to major short circuits and faulty wiring. These can be caused by old wires giving up, too much load on the battery, and having too many electronics active at the same time. These increase the chances of short circuits and batteries dying out. Another reason for many electrical problems can be due to poor battery maintenance, a poorly maintained battery may die during a trip which can tarnish the experience.
Prevention:
To prevent most electrical problems, it is a safe practice to conduct regular inspections. Inspections should include checking the battery for any acid leak, and topping it up if acid levels are low. Other than batteries, look for any corroded wires or loose connections to avoid a bigger electric short circuit.
Make sure to have proper battery maintenance practices and avoid overloading the electric circuit by having too many electronics on at the same time. Using a surge protector can help avoid power spikes.
Roof Damages
An RV’s exterior takes a lot of beating when out on the roads. It has to deal with high winds on the road, UV damage from the sun, rainstorms, thunder, and hail. A roof can get damaged due to the large surface area that can be affected. Roof damage can in turn cause water damage and even electrical issues. Roof damages can also become very expensive to fix if ignored. This is one part of your RV that is difficult to monitor but important that you do.
Prevention:
To prevent serious roof damage, inspect the roof before and after each trip. Any small seam replacement can be done using new sealants yourself. However, for bigger repairs, it is best to contact a company that can offer RV mobile roofing services.
Other than that, the best thing that you can do for prevention is clean your roof regularly, even if the RV is not enrooted, and especially if it is stored outdoors when not in use.
Fiberglass Damage
Fiberglass is a light and durable material used extensively on the outdoor panels of an RV. It is strong but when on the road small rocks and other debris can cause it to crack and start chipping away. This creates an entry point for dust, dirt, debris, and pests.
Prevention:
To prevent fiberglass damage, drive safely and park in a safe spot. However, if cracking or chipping is likely to occur, always go for immediate repair. The longer you wait, the bigger the cracks can get and the more expensive the repair will be.
If your RV has any kind of major fiberglass damage you can contact our RV fiberglass experts who are highly trained in complex repairing procedures.
Interior Wear and Tear
Over time the RV’s interior can show signs of wear and tear, which may make it uncomfortable and unappealing for future road trips. A fully redone interior can be a big bill to look forward to. So, it is essential to take proper care of your RV’s interior. The upholstery can get worn out, surfaces can get faded, and dirt can get accumulated.
Prevention
To prevent this, make sure to regularly clean your RV. Have a proper system for garbage disposal, and don’t leave a stain mark unattended in the upholstery. Using polishes for surfaces and covers for upholstery is also a good idea to increase the interior life.
However, post-trip everybody is tired and no one would want to start right away with RV cleaning, in such a case go for interior RV cleaning services in your area.
Conclusion
To conclude if your RV is a way to spend vacations or even if it is your permanent home these are some of the most common problems to look out for. The knowledge of these problems can help you have safer and more adventurous trips without any unnecessary hassles. Keep small repairs to yourself but leave the bigger problems and repairs to the professionals. Happy travels.