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RV Pre-Ride Checks after Long Storage
By Cassandra_BHM | August 15, 2011
There are thousands of RV aficionados all over the country. Owning an RV is not just considered as a hobby or simple way to spend vacations, it is considered a way of life to many hard core RV enthusiasts. There are a number of people that rent RVs and there are also a considerable number that own RVs. An RV or a motor home may not exactly be your day to day vehicle and it would be very impractical to drive one on your way downtown running errands. This is why there are many RVs that are in storage for most of the year. Just like any vehicle that is stored for long periods of time, there are safety checks that you must do on your RV before driving it out on the open road again for a vacation.
As they are huge, RVs also have a huge checklist of parts and components that you need to inspect after long storage to ensure smooth and safe driving. If you don’t have a checklist, there are many tasks that you can easily overlook or perform incorrectly while some tasks are no-brainers at all. RVs are state of the art machines with lots of safety features and devices. They exist for a reason but they can’t maintain themselves. After periods of time, parts and components won’t be in the same condition they had before.
Batteries are very important. Over time, when used or stored, batteries may leak. Some if its parts may corrode after they are exposed to different elements when used and stored. Checking batteries is a must for the vigilant RV enthusiast. In line with this, check your RVs exterior lights –tail lights, headlights, turn and signal lights. These are very important in night driving.
Water connections, window seals and even propane tanks can leak over time. Be sure to take note of their inspection dates and content level. See to it that you inspect the regulators and gauges.
Rubbers and plastics break down after a certain period of time. Your RV’s tires may deteriorate over time whether you use it or not. Tires can get brittle over time and get blown which may cause accidents.
Your RV is just like your home that can get infested with insects, rodents, and others. Be sure to check it too for infestation. Ensure that you check power sources inside, refrigerator function, connections, and exhaust fans.
Your RV’s water system should also be properly checked and maintained. Flush and drain the water first and disinfect it. You then refill the gray tank system and valves with new supply of water. You can also check your RVs fire extinguishers on the side and see if it hasn’t expired yet.
For towable motor homes, check your RV’s hitch, hitch balls, chains, brakes and tow bar, too. You wouldn’t want these to break down while you’re out on the road.
Lastly, before going on your vacation or camping trip, take your RV on a short test drive. By doing this, you will more or less feel that your RV is in good condition or not for the long drive.
If you need any repairs or maintenance and you are caught off guard, funding your RV expenses can be quite difficult because bank loans do not classify RVs as homes. You can get extra funding thought from some bad credit loan providers to help your cover your RV maintenance.
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