Essential maintenance tips for long-term RV travel in Australia

Manufacturers will always recommend allowing trusted, experienced professionals to service and maintain your RV wherever possible. And that is generally good advice, however, there are maintenance actions you can and must perform yourself in-between services if you want to extend the life of your vehicle. We asked our team of outdoor experts at RV Parts Express for their best tips and recommendations when it comes to keeping on top of RV maintenance and any troublesome areas to be aware of. Here are their suggestions and tips to successfully maintain your RV:

Service regularly

Bite the bullet every few months or when a recommended distance has been travelled, whichever comes first. If you have been keeping your RV in good shape yourself then the service shouldn’t set you back too much and will help retain value if you choose to sell. It is perhaps even more important to service your RV regularly if it has been unused for extended periods. This does no vehicle any favours and can cause problems across the board; let the experts give it the once-over when scheduled and you can rest easy again knowing everything is as it should be.

Inspect your brakes

As with any vehicle, you should be checking your brakes regularly to ensure they are functioning as intended and are not compromised in any way. It pays to remember an RV is a much larger, heavier vehicle than you may be used to driving every day and it can be hard on the brakes repeatedly stopping that mass, especially when fully loaded. Be sure to give them a thorough check:

• Before embarking on any extended road trip
• Every 6 months
• After travelling 15,000km

Lubrication is a key element in correct brake maintenance as excessive humidity can cause rust to appear on wheel bearings. There are certain areas of vehicle maintenance where it is never advisable to cut corners, and your brakes are surely one of them. If you are not confident in your ability to inspect and lubricate your brakes thoroughly then take the RV to professionals and have them do it. Avoid choosing the cheapest lubricant to save a few dollars; save money elsewhere and feel satisfied knowing you have done everything to ensure your RV can stop in a timely fashion when you want it to.

Apply a protective coat to exposed surfaces

There are now some excellent products on the market that will give your RV an extra layer of protection against everything Australia can throw at it. From dust and small stones to giant toxic bugs, applying an additional protective coat will help fend them off and leave your RV looking pristine again after a good hosing down. Some of these products can be applied at home with enough time and elbow grease, but we recommend allowing professionals to do the job for you if the budget allows. It will be decidedly quicker, less tiring, and infinitely more effective.

Check all seals and joins

Many modern camper vans and RVs are built using what is known as 'composite construction' and this lessens the chances of leaks enormously. However, older models are not likely to be constructed this way and any damage to composite RVs can also result in leakages. Either way, it is crucial to regularly check all the seals and joins you can find in your RV. Nothing will tear through the material or cause mould and rot to grow faster than standing water and this should be one of your top priorities. Get your flashlight out and grab some absorbent material to help locate any leaks and give your RV a thorough going-over every 3 months if possible.

Check your RV’s tyre pressure

The last thing we want on a hot, dusty Australian road is a blown tyre. The chances of this are already high enough, given the nature of some of those remote roads but it is important not to increase that chance unnecessarily. Make sure your tyres are correctly inflated as per the manufacturer’s recommendations and carry the gauge with you in your toolbox to check again along the way. If possible, take your RV out for a regular spin just to get those tyres turning, this doesn’t hurt in preventing mechanical elements all over the vehicle from seizing up and is worth the effort.

Clean RV awnings frequently

Dirt and debris can build up in the crevices of your stowed awnings very rapidly and cause major problems if left unattended. Any moisture they trap can start to degrade the fabric and cause mould/rot to spread. Inspect and clean your awnings frequently and oil the mechanisms while you’re there.

Final thoughts

When it comes to the potential for taking a long road trip, there are few places on the planet with more options and vast distances to cover than Australia. It is a wide, beautiful land that allows for some of the most fun, memorable adventures possible, with breathtaking views thrown in for good measure. But all this magnificence does not come without a cost. It is also true Australia has some of the harshest climates on Earth and can take a huge toll on vehicles and individuals alike without some sensible precautions and necessary, regular maintenance. Look after your RV and equipment well and it should repay your efforts and serve you perfectly for many uninterrupted years.

Brief Summary

Here are the maintenance actions you can perform yourself to help increase the longevity of your vehicle:

• Take care of the brakes
• Apply a protective coating
• Check for leaks
• Get regular services
• Check the tyre pressure
• Clean your awnings

Contact us

We hope you found something useful among these tips to successfully maintain your RV and will implement some of the suggestions when taking care of your own vehicle. Here at RV Parts Express, we have all the RV accessories and products needed to make your adventures as smooth and trouble-free as possible. Please browse our wide selection and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.