RV service centres see it all too often. It’s mid-July, a gorgeous sunny day, and an unhappy camper is pulling their RV in for an unexpected service appointment, mid-vacation.
The first trip of the year is often when issues arise, after an RV has been in storage all winter-long. So how do you prevent unexpected problems from ruining your vacation? After you’ve de-winterized and done your spring maintenance, we recommend taking a pre-season road trip.
The Plan
We like to plan a weekend away, not far from home, to make sure everything is running smoothly. Even with a thorough inspection, until you’ve gone through all the motions of setting up camp and spending some quality time in your RV, some problems can go undetected. For one, you’ll be able to test if your fridge and furnace are both working properly. While they may start easily, it’s best to live with them for a while to make sure they are both reaching the appropriate temperature, as well as maintaining it, so keep an eye on both of those during the trip.
Hitting the Road
Once you hit the road, any existing issues should arise quickly. Common issues are appliances that fail, an awning that has come loose, or brakes that need attention. Battery problems often show up in the spring time, after several months of disuse, particularly if they have not been stored properly, or are getting old. We recommend camping both with and without the use of hookups to ensure the battery is functioning properly. If it is a weekend trip, try spending one day with hookups and one day without. This way you can also test the 120 volt systems such as on-board battery charger, power converter, air conditioner, microwave, TVs and other electronics.
A Yard Trip? Why not?
If you can’t get away for a weekend, why not set up camp in your yard? Spend a couple days in your RV, ensuring that everything is running smoothly. The downside to this option is that you won’t be able to test out the brakes, running gear or hitching components unless you take it out for a spin.
Once your pre-season trip is complete, you can have any necessary repairs or maintenance completed before your holiday, giving you peace of mind and saving you from a ruined vacation.
RV Care has you Covered
If an unexpected problem does pop up in the middle of your holiday, despite your precautions, remember to check your RV Care app to find the closest RV Care dealer. They will treat you like family and get you back on the road as swiftly as possible. And if you’re traveling south of the border, RV Care’s partnership with the Route 66 Network has you covered in the US as well.
Save yourself the heartache of an interrupted or ruined vacation travel stress-free, with a pre-season road trip and the RV Care app. You can download the app on the Apple App Store or the Google Play store.
