Investing in a travel trailer is a great way to ensure that your family has comfortable and portable accommodations to allow you all to see the country and all its varied attractions. If you want to keep your travel trailer in good condition so that it serves you well for years to come, you will have to perform regular maintenance on it. This might sound complex, but it doesn’t need to be! This guide to travel trailer maintenance by RV Station Colbert will help you to determine what to work on when you attend to your travel trailer. If you find any issues that you can’t address, don’t hesitate to contact our service department so our professional mechanics can help you out!
Lubricate Seals
Your travel trailer’s seals prevent moisture and weather from getting in, so keeping them well-lubricated is important to their continued functioning. Moisture in your trailer leads to the development of mold, mildew and rot, which you want to prevent at all costs. Silicone sealant can be used to patch up small holes where necessary. Apply the lubricant around all windows and doors, then apply seal conditioner to keep the seals functional.
Check Your Appliances
The appliances on board your travel trailer need to be inspected to make sure that they’re working correctly. Modern travel trailer appliances are powered via a mixture of power and electricity, and a breakdown of either system could result in your appliances malfunctioning. This would be particularly bad to experience in the middle of a camping trip. Your trailer’s refrigerator should cool down quickly when powered up, and your water heater should be able to give you a steady supply of hot water within minutes of starting up.
Some of your trailer’s appliances indicate their functionality with signals. The exposed flames of your stove can provide you with information about your propane system. If the color of the flame is blue or clear and solid, then the propane is working well. However, if it’s yellow or orange and flickering, then there could be a leak or flaw in the propane system that needs repairing. When you turn on your furnace and you hear a soft boom, this could indicate that the flow of propane is interrupted. Either of these issues signify the need for immediate professional repairs.
Grease All Moving Parts
Slide-outs on your travel trailer provide you with more space when you’re camping, and they need to be regularly lubricated to ensure they move smoothly. Use a slide-out lubricant to keep them greased. Door hinges and locks can get squeaky and stiff if left unlubricated, so give these some attention as well. Wheel bearings need regular lubrication, too, but this task is best left to a professional.
Keep Humidity Down
You want to keep down the humidity in your trailer to prevent the growth of mold and mildew which can damage surfaces and cause unpleasant odors. The solution to a build-up of humidity can be as easy as opening up vents and windows. Use fans and dehumidifiers to reduce how much moisture is in your trailer.
Have A Professional Inspect Your Trailer
The best way to make sure that your travel trailer is up to speed is to have a professional inspector look it over carefully. While performing the above maintenance tasks at home will cut down significantly on maintenance fees, you’ll still want a mechanic to check everything over. This person can address any issues that are too labor-intensive or technical for you to deal with on your own. Professional mechanics have the necessary training and expertise to keep your travel trailer in great shape. Maintaining your trailer on your own will make their jobs easier.
In search of a great travel trailer to make your family adventures even better? RV Station Colbert is located in southern Oklahoma, serving the cities of Sherman and McKinney, Texas, just south of the Red River. Visit our dealership today to check out our great selection of used travel trailers and other RVs!
This information is for educational purposes. VIARV shall not be responsible nor retain liability for RVer’s use of the provided information. Prior to making any RV service decision, you are advised to consult with an RV professional.