Four PreChecks to Complete Before Your RV Trip
Pre-checks are an important part of the process when gearing up for a road trip and by making sure you go over each one, you can save yourself from experiencing major problems while halfway across the country. In fact, pre-checks are so essential that we wanted to provide you with a list of the top ones to conduct next time you prepare to venture out in your RV.
Take a Look at Your Fluids
Always check your fluids prior to an RV trip. If you plan on towing a trailer along, this is especially important because it will take more fluid to lubricate the RV”s components, such as the engine and transmission, to keep the vehicle running its best. By making sure the engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, radiator coolant and power steering fluid are good to go, you don’t have to worry about encountering low fluid and the possibility of getting stuck on the side of the road because of it.
Check the Hitch, Brakes & Lights
Regardless of what you’re towing, it’s best to look over the hitch. It only takes one misstep in the installation process to have a trailer come unhitched, which is why it’s important to double check it. You should also make sure the brakes and lights work on the trailer before heading out on the road. Faulty brakes or broken lights could lead to a dangerous situation if not taken care of.
Examine Your Tires
When RVs are kept in storage for a while, tire pressure quickly dwindles. On average your motorhome’s tires will lose air pressure at a rate of 2 to 3 psi per month when in storage, which could ultimately result in tire failure if they are not properly inflated. Before you go out on an RV trip, you’ll want to check your tires and make sure they contain the proper amount of air pressure, according to the owner’s manual. Remember, having overinflated tires is just as bad as having underinflated tires so be sure to reach a happy medium.
Do a Full Walk-Around
Walk through the RV to make sure everything is firmly set in its place and will not topple over once the RV is in motion. You’ll also want to do a final walk-around outside of the RV to ensure the hitch, tires and all latches are as they should be, allowing you took kick off your grand adventure!
