Proper RV Chassis Maintenance

Make Your Travels Enjoyable By Avoiding Most Costly Repairs

By Joseph Garnett, Jr.

August 15, 2015

Throughout the years, Lazydays chassis expert Vernon Love says he has watched as many RVers have interrupted their planned vacations because they didn’t take time to properly maintain their chassis. Regardless, if your motor home is a gas or diesel, a fifth-wheel or travel trailer, proper care for the chassis and its elements will ensure that your travels are enjoyable.

“The majority of the time, if there is a problem inside the RV, it won’t ruin the trip,” Love says. “It may become an inconvenience.” For example, a shower not working may mean having to camp where there is a shower. An RVer can choose when to make those kinds of repairs, perhaps even waiting until they get back home. A chassis issue, on the other hand, can end your trip dead in its tracks. Practicing preventive maintenance care for the RV chassis, is the best step an owner can make.

Love recommends that every RV owner practice the following steps to help keep their chassis performing well:

• Every two years, replace the air filters.
• Always travel with extra fuel filters and belts.
• Take along a jug of DEF fluid, if you have a diesel motor home.
• If you haven’t started up your RV in over a year, put an antifungal detergent into the diesel tank.
• Checking the tires’ condition and air pressure is a necessity every time before you drive. The best practice is weighing the RV first and then use the owner’s manual to be sure you have placed the proper pressure in the tires.
• Oil changes and lubrication should be performed on both gas and diesel chassis. The front and rear fittings should be checked, as well.
• Once work has been completed on your RV, check it over, if possible, to be sure repairs and maintenance are done properly.

Love also states that many repairs in his Bay 52 at the Lazydays Tampa Service center belong to RVers who didn’t perform the basic maintenance care. So, if you like avoiding the costs of most major repairs, be certain keep up with the regular maintenance.

“If something breaks on the chassis side,” Love says. “More than likely, it’s not going to be something you are able to repair once you get home.”

For more advice on caring for your RV, please visit the Lazydays Tampa or Tucson service centers. You can also learn more by visiting online and registering to have a service expert contact you.

Editor's note: The RV Authority welcomes your input. If you have an idea for a blog article or would like to write and submit an article about your RV adventures, please click here to email us your suggestions or questions.