Helpful Tips to Keep Your Coach Running Smoothly

Rewritten by Joseph Garnett, Jr. - From the Archives

July 22, 2015

Frankly, most repairs should be left to skilled experts, like your Lazydays’ service specialists, who have the equipment to do tough jobs safely. However, by following these five simple tips, you can make maintenance a habit, while keeping small repairs from becoming major ones.

1. Clean your RV regularly. Cleaning your entire RV is extremely critical. Your investment needs to be cleaned, flushed and protected from erosion, bugs and dirt. Sludge from the road can be devastating to the undercarriage and windshield. If left unchecked, the sludge can build up and cause leaks, deterioration and rust. Sparkling and shiny RV exteriors make most owners proud, but cleaning matters under and inside the coach too. Be sure the battery is free of corrosion. Does the alternator have dirt caked on it? Look for buildup underneath and remove bugs. Their remains can eat into the paint finish and clog the vents. Dusting the dashboard along with a good wash and wax on the coach will show off your maintenance pride.
2. Check the basics on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis. Scout your coach on a regular basis to avoid having small fixes turn into big repairs. Mark off a few hours on your calendar to check the fluids, filters, belts and hoses. Also, perform inspections and clean your RV’s undercarriage, engine, suspension, electrical system and other items as needed. Take a careful look at the levels in your water coolant, engine oil, brakes, transmission, radiator and battery terminals. While checking the levels, look around for leaks and cracks. When you create a habit of scheduling time for these checks, you will gain confidence and hopefully locate trouble spots and make easy repairs and give the tougher repairs to an experienced technician. Remember, Lazydays has many seasoned technicians who will be happy to make those big repairs for you.
3. Improve your troubleshooting skills. Knowledge about your vehicle will help you avoid unnecessary expenses. While serious repairs should be handled by your Lazydays’ service expert, you can help your RV by staying vigilant. Try to increase your knowledge by taking a class and reading the manual. Knowledge will be your best friend when identifying repairs. Don’t hesitate to hand over the big repairs, but try making the easy fixes and routine checks and maintenance. So, get to know your auto parts sales person. And, remember, your trusted Lazydays’ expert is here for you.
4. Use the proper tools. If you want to make maintenance a snap, clean out an area of your garage to store the proper tools. Take a trip to the hardware store and get the right items. Good specialty tools are important for your RV and your know-how. Use this quick checklist.

1. Tire-pressure gauge
2. Square-head bit
3. Screw gun
4. Light voltage meter
5. Socket set (from ¼-inch to 1-inch)
6. Screwdriver
7. Butt connector
8. Wire splicers
9. Cleaning agents
10. Rags
11. Pans
1. Perform a safety check. Because safety is the first and last line of defense, it is the most critical in protecting yourself and your RV. Much of your RV maintenance impacts safety. Checking your windshield wipers for cracking to examining the tire treads from uneven wear have tremendous impact on your well-being. If you are towing a vehicle, test your turn signals and lights on both vehicles. Check the lug nuts, windshield fluid and tire pressure, including the spare tire. Finally, make sure your external mounts are secure.

Visit our Lazydays Tampa and Tucson locations, log online or give us a call at 844.576.8244 to learn more.

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