Five Checks to Perform On Your RV This Winter
Planning an RV trip this winter? If so, there are a few pre-travel checks you should perform to make sure your motorhome is ready to take on the cold, frigid weather. Low temperatures can have a heavy impact on an RV’s performance, so it’s important that you maintain certain components in your RV to prevent winter damage. We’ve put together a list of the top five checks you should complete, ensuring you have a safe trip.
Inspect Your Roof
It’s a good rule of thumb to inspect your RV’s roof at least twice a year. During the cold, snowy weather, minor roof damage could lead to major roof damage due to temperature drops and heavy snow. We recommend that you check your roof sealants for any cracks that could bring about leaks. If you discover any potential problem areas, make sure you purchase the proper sealant to patch up the area, preventing costly repairs in the future.
Check Your Antifreeze
During the winter season, it’s important that you have the proper concentration of antifreeze to water at all times. Water freezes quickly in cold weather, and if your concentration is off, it can cause extensive corrosion to components in your RV. To make sure your motorhome has an appropriate antifreeze to water ratio, you can use a refractometer or test trips to determine the concentration levels. A 50- to 70-percent concentration of antifreeze to water is a suitable ratio for your RV.
Examine Your Batteries
Take a look at your batteries and charge any that are below 80-percent. Partially-charged batteries are known to freeze faster than those that are fully charged and they can put you in quite the bind if you decide to travel during winter. It’s also a good idea to clean your batteries using baking soda and water, if they’ve accumulated dirt and grime, to keep them performing they’re absolute best.
Assess Your Furnace
Properly examine your furnace for any damage or crushed ducting. You should also add water to lead-acid batteries to eliminate furnace problems down the line. For any issues found, take your motorhome to Reliable RV’s Service Center to have it repaired by a trained, certified technician.
Test Safety Devices
Before you take your RV on an excursion, test all safety devices to make sure they are up to code. You should also change the batteries in each device to make sure they will activate, if needed. Common devices found in RVs include smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and LP-gas leak detectors.
