Spring is well and truly upon us, which for many travelers means that it’s time to dust off that RV in the garage and hit the road. Warm weather and plentiful sunshine make springtime an excellent time for RV travel, but if your RV has languished in storage for months, then you’ll have some prep work ahead of you to get you and your rig ready for your journeys.
Meridian RV, serving Port Coquitlam and 100 Mile House, is your British Columbia RV dealer. Here are the steps you’ll want to take to get your RV ready for spring camping in our beautiful province.
Do an Inspection
First, let’s begin with a thorough inspection of your RV, inside and out. Climb up onto your RV roof (with help from a spotter on the ground) to examine the seams and make sure there are no water leaks in the corners or sidewalls. These may need to be repaired with sealant. Examine the exterior for any signs of damage, like worn tires, stiff slide-outs and dents that need repair.
Next, open up all the doors, windows, cabinets, vents, slide-outs and even your RV awning to have a good look around and air everything out to remove any musty smells. You’ll want to check for water leaks, signs of pest infestation and any damage to any of these parts. Test your appliances in the kitchen and bathroom to ensure proper functioning.
Perform Maintenance
Now you’ll need to actually maintain those parts that need some tender loving care. Check the air pressure in all of your tires and air them up to the manufacturer’s recommended psi levels. If you see any worn treads or embedded objects in your tires, you’ll want to get them repaired or replaced immediately.
If your RV has an engine, then check your battery for cracks and make sure that it’s working properly and that its connections are clean. Check fluid levels in your windshield fluid reservoir and brake fluid reservoirs and your coolant levels, and top these off. If you have a generator on your RV, it’s going to need oil and filter changes, and your engine probably needs an oil change too. The mechanics here at Meridian RV can help with that!
Dewinterize Your Water System
The water system on your RV will need to be de-winterized before you can use it. Drain any water in your freshwater tank, rinse it and refill it. Run your water pump so you can send clean water through all the lines and flush out any antifreeze that’s left. Examine your water lines for signs of leaks. You should then sanitize your tank by adding a fourth cup of bleach per every 15 gallons of water and circulate the water as you did to clean the lines. When you smell bleach, turn off the water system and let the bleach sit for eight hours to sanitize the system before you flush it out again the next day.
Pack Your Supplies
Everyone on your RV should have a checklist of items they need to bring, from toothbrushes to hiking boots to medications. But there are some universal items that you should make sure you load onto your RV before every trip. A well-stocked first-aid kit is one, as is an emergency radio, a tool kit for repairs, signal flares, a hatchet, extra food and water and a flashlight. You should also load up all of your clean linens, pillows, blankets and dishware. Stock up on cleaning supplies as well. Examine all of your hiking gear and camping equipment before you pack it to make sure that everything is in good condition.
We hope this guide helps you to prepare for your inaugural spring RV trip! Remember, if you need some professional maintenance on your RV before you go camping, you can always contact the service department here at Meridian RV. Our team of mechanics will be more than happy to help you if you schedule a tune-up appointment. Still need an RV? Come see us at one of our dealerships in 100 Mile House or Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, today to view our wide stock of new and used RVs for sale. Meridian RV proudly serves greater Vancouver and Kamloops, British Columbia.
