Common Types of Motorized RV Repairs and How to Prevent Them

In a perfect world, everything remains the same as it was when you purchased it. However, in the real world, wear and tear is inevitable. And with RVs, you may find that some components fail at a higher rate than in the average house due to weight restrictions or exposure to outdoor elements.

RV repairs can sometimes be mechanical, such as engine failure, while other times they’re more housing-related. As the RV grows older, problems such as leaky toilets and various plumbing issues arise.

It’s good to know the basics and how to fix them so that when you encounter a minor problem, you can save the extra cash by dealing with it yourself.

Common Motorized RV Repairs

You don’t have to call a mechanic for every repair on your RV. If you can fix the sink at your standalone home, then you can fix the sink in your RV. Most RV repairs can actually be done as a DIY project while other repairs which may turn out dangerous should be left to the experts.

Here are the most common types of motorized RV repairs and how you can prevent them.

1. Dead Battery

Whether new or not, batteries need to be well-maintained. If your RV is parked at an RV park or it’s in storage, you are required to charge the engine battery at an interval of 7-10 days. The trick to charging the battery is to let the engine run for an hour or so.

The house battery automatically charges when you plug the RV into shore power. You should, therefore, look deeper into the reliability of the shore power connection if you are experiencing power problems at a campground.

2. Engine Issues

The most common problems with RVs have to do with the engine. Most of these cases aren’t brought about by anything catastrophic.

What happens is that a minor issue arises which leads to a mountain of a problem. These small issues could be filters that require changing, incompatible coolant, or improper fuel. For this reason, know your vehicle inside and out and give your RV the right type of care to avoid molehills turning into mountains.

3. Tire Blowouts

Replacing blown out tires could cost you anywhere between $1000 to $8500. Now that’s a hefty price to pay for something you can avoid. Wear and tear is unavoidable, but if you care for your tires, you can help prevent a tire blowout.

It’s best to try and prevent a blowout from happening since RV insurance normally covers the damage that results in a tire burst. However, it does not cater to the cost of the tires.

Make sure that you properly inspect your tires before hitting the road especially for a long trip. Be on the lookout for signs of wear and tear, ensure that tire pressure is just right and look out for punctures that may speed up the chances of you getting a blowout.

4. Overloading the Electrical AC

RVs are made to run jointly with the appliances housed in them. Appliances that draw a lot of power such as blenders, ovens, coffee makers and hair dryers are prime suspects and you should be careful about using them in your RV.

The largest power consumer is probably the AC. Make sure you turn off all other appliances before switching on the AC to avoid tripping a circuit breaker.

5. Exterior Damage

Various protruding obstacles such as tree branches, signage, and bridges could damage your roof and RV exterior. To avoid such damage, be aware of your RV’s size. Make sure you slow down when you encounter possibly damaging obstacles and strategize.

The roof of your RV also gets a lot of sun rays which catalyzes wear and tear. For this reason, regularly clean and maintain your roof to avoid preventable leaks. Damage caused by owner neglect isn’t covered by RV insurance either so be more proactive with your RV ownership to prevent avoidable costs.

6. Roof Replacement

As your RV gets older, the roof will begin to deteriorate. This eventually leads to roof leaks during bad weather. You cannot stop the deterioration from happening, but with regular self-assessment, you will be able to tell when your roof requires some maintenance so that you can fix the issue while it’s still early.

Read articles online from experts and watch videos that may expand your knowledge base before you embark on the task of repairing or replacing your roof. If you are capable and have done the right research then, by all means, go right ahead.

Final Thoughts

Some DIY RV repairs can be avoided altogether but when the opportunity presents itself, they can be dealt with accordingly. In order to succeed in tackling the common repairs, be sure to follow instructions and exercise patience while at it.

It’s also important to invest in good RV insurance so get an insurance policy that fits your RV needs. Remember to regularly maintain your RV for it to run smoothly. Parts you need to always inspect are the engine, brakes and many other parts which determine the running of your RV.

Scheduled maintenance is a must but be aware that once in a while, something could still happen even with your scheduled maintenance sessions. Unexpected mechanical problems do happen especially as your RV gets older. This should instead encourage you to really get to know your RV inside and out so that you can spot a potential disaster and nip it in the bud in its early stages.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help when in doubt. Feel free to visit our website to get more information on RV repair and maintenance. We have a 24-hour emergency service and are happy to offer our RV repair and maintenance services whenever you need us.