5 Must-Know Tips for Getting Your RV Road-Ready

Before loading up the RV and exploring the open road, make sure your vehicle is up for the trip. A complete safety check keeps you prepared and lessens the risk of mishaps. So, use these five must-know tips for getting your RV road-ready before you go RVing!

Check the Essentials

First, make sure essential components are up and running properly. This protects you and other drivers while you’re on the road. Some areas you need to check include the:

• Brakes
• Axels
• Battery

As you check these components (or take your RV into the shop so a mechanic can check these parts), remember to also test your horn since it helps protect everyone on the road. When you’re driving along a winding mountain road, you may have to honk your horn to make others aware of your presence before making sharp turns.

Ensure Appliances Work

Don’t forget to check the appliances in your RV—you’ll want to test them to see that they’re correctly running. If it’s been a few months since you last used the RV, the stove, lights, or furnace may not work as they had before.

You should do a test run on all your appliances a few weeks before taking a trip. This way, if something isn’t working, you can get it fixed without feeling rushed. Now is also a good time to plan what food and other essentials you’ll need to stock up on before hitting the road.

Check Hitch and Tow

To those towing a vehicle behind your RV, make sure your hitch and tow are in good shape since they could corrode over time. It should be able to properly hook up to and tow your vehicle. Remember, you may need to grease moving parts to keep them moving properly. As you inspect this, also make sure to check surrounding bolts and cables to ensure nothing comes loose.

Inspect Your Tires

Check your tires for leaks with a pressure gauge—each should have enough air. And don’t forget to check your spare tires as well. In the event a tire blows out, you want spares that work.

Look over your tires and lug nuts for signs of aging. You may need to check the manufactured date code on the tire’s sidewall to determine when to replace your tires. As for your tire lug nuts, ensure they’re nice and tight with minimal signs of wear.

Evaluate the Interior

The final must-know tip for getting your RV road-ready is to give the inside of your RV a once-over. Make sure your interior locks work; check the seals along the doors and windows. Inspect the roof seals and seams as well because, if there’s damage, there could be water leaks. Also, look at the levels of your propane tank and ensure your water system is working.

Take time to get your RV ready for the road—you could miss a critical detail if you rush through the process. And when you need to replace push mirrors or other components, buy RV parts and accessories online from RV Parts Center! With 50 years of expert knowledge, we only sell the highest-quality equipment for your RV. Get ready to hit the road and explore!