Most Frequent RV Maintenance Items

Most RV maintenance items are once per year, however several are to be done about once per month, or at each camping trip! Here’s the top 10 frequent maintenance items on most RV’s:

1. Flush your black tank.  Most RV’s have a black tank flush which is usually a black hose port labeled as such. When you dump your black tank, then close the valve, hook a dedicated black tank flush hose to the port, and turn it on (please don’t use your potable drinking water hose). You don’t need the in-line water pressure regulator, but doesn’t hurt if you do.  Set a timer for roughly 1 minute per 10 gallons of black tank size (for example, if it’s 40 gallons, then 4 minutes) and let it fill.  Please use a timer, you don’t want to get distracted and over-fill. Then when your set time has elapsed, open the valve and let it flow out until the water is clear.  It is helpful to put about ½ cup of Pine Sol (or similar) cleaner down the toilet prior to filling. This may take a couple of times, and please remember to close the valve when done.
2. Flush your galley and/or tank. Some are labeled gray, but it’s the kitchen sink we want to flush. Using similar directions as above, close the valve and let it fill to at least half full. It’s rare to have a galley or gray tank flush port, so just open your kitchen faucet and let it run for at least 4 minutes. Pour some citrus-based cleaner such as Zep or PineSol citrus. To help break up the F.O.G. (Fats, Oils, Grease). 
3. Lubricate black and gray tank slide gate valve O-ring seals. When your tanks are empty, pour about ½ cup of cheap vegetable oil down the toilet, and down the drains, followed by a cup of water. Then go out and open-close-open-close-open-close your valves to let the oil lubricate the seals.
4. Lubricate toilet flush seal. When doing the above, also pour a little vegetable oil on the toilet flush valve seal to lubricate it and keep the rubber supple.
5. Check tires and tire pressure.  Keeping tires at the proper air pressure, and look for uneven wear is the best thing you can do to help prevent the dreaded tire blowout. You can find the recommended tire pressure on the sidewall.
6. Sync Schwintek slide motors. If your RV has a LCI/Schwintek slide system, the motors need to be re-sync’d every time the slide comes in. If you need more information on how to do this, click HERE.
7. Check batteries. Check the voltage of your batteries (11.6 volts or higher is recommended), and check their water levels if your batteries are the flooded type. Use distilled or RO water. And make sure the battery connections are tight and clean. Click HERE for more on batteries.
8. Clean shower drain. If the shower in your RV gets used daily or several times per week, the drain may flow slower and slower. This is due to soap scum build-up, usually at the drain, or at the HepVo valve. Unclog the drain or keep it flowing well by removing the drain screen or plug and pouring one small box of baking soda down that drain. You might have to help it with a knife or screwdriver.  Then pour a cup of white distilled vinegar down that drain and let it foam up. If the clock is bad, you might have to force it with a plumber’s plunger. Then follow with hot water.
9. Run your generator. If your RV has an onboard generator, and it’s not being used at least once per month,  the manufacturer recommends running the generator for 20 minutes every month. This “exercises” the generator, lubricates the seals and bearings, and burns off contaminants.
10. Replace your blue in-line water filter. Many RVers know the blue in-line water filters only last a few days and have to be shaken or banged to be useful again. They have granulated carbon in them, and water will channel through the granules rendering the filter ineffective. The best, most affordable water filters are the canister type using a replaceable cartridge of 5 microns or less, and with a carbon block in them. Click HERE for the Amazon link to what I suggest.