Are you looking to go on a road trip in your campervan? While traveling via campervan can be a great way to explore the country, you need to make sure that before you leave, you’ve taken care of the right maintenance tasks.
When a campervan trip is ruined, it’s usually because the owner made some very simple campervan maintenance mistakes before hitting the road. So, what do you need to do before you go?
Check out this guide to discover the top campervan maintenance mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Forgetting to Cover Your Roof
Just as your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, so too is it one of the most important parts of your campervan.
Campervan roofs are susceptible to both sun and environmental damage. Oftentimes, it can be hard to diagnose roof problems because you’re not inspecting it every day. This can lead to you needing to spend thousands of dollars to repair or replace your roof.
Luckily, if you place a cover over your campervan roof, you won’t have to worry about unnecessary damage. These covers can be installed on your property and even customized to fit the exact specs of your campervan.
If you’re in your campervan full time, make sure you clean your roof on a regular basis.
2. Forgetting to Run Your Generator
If you let your campervan’s generator sit idle for too long, you may need to replace it years earlier than normal. Remember that gasoline’s shelf life is only about 30 days.
After that, it starts to break down, and it can damage the internal components of your generator. This is why you should run your generator every two months or so when your campervan is sitting idle. Failing to do so may cause your carburetor to varnish, which can prevent fuel from effectively powering your generator.
3. Forgetting to Clean Your Tires
Your tires are another very important component of your RV, and forgetting to clean them can lead to major issues. The UV rays from the sun can deteriorate tires rapidly, and if you don’t take proper care of them, you may need to replace them earlier than planned.
When your campervan tires are in storage, make sure they’re covered and protected. After cleaning them, treat them with a UV protectant. To make sure you’re protected should you get in an accident due to faulty tires, you’ll want to purchase campervan insurance. You can check out https://shieldtotalinsurance.co.uk/campervan-insurance/ to learn more about campervan insurance.
4. Forgetting to Check Your Roof, Window, and Door Seals
A lot of campervans deal with moisture leaks due to faulty weather stripping and seals. Weather stripping and seals degrade naturally over time, and when a seal starts to break down, water starts to seep in. This can lead to damaged surfaces and mold.
Every three months, you should check the seals around your windows, doors, and roof. Look out for loose pieces, cracks, and water stains. Even the slightest bit of damage can lead to leakage, so if you notice an issue, reseal the area immediately.
Campervan Maintenance Mistakes: Time to Act
Now that you know how to avoid these campervan maintenance mistakes, you should be better prepared for your next road trip. Soon enough, you’ll be hitting the open road in your campervan.
For more campervan maintenance tips, be sure to check back in with our blog.