RV Exterior Maintenance

Because you spend so much time inside your RV, you’ll probably notice right away when their something wrong with the interior. Whether something needs to be cleaned or fixed, it can be identified and addressed fairly quickly. But exterior maintenance is generally an afterthought, even though it shouldn't be. We tend to take these parts of our rigs for granted, but they require just as much care and attention as the interior does. That’s why Golden Gait RV has provided a guide to properly maintaining the exterior of your RV. If you need additional advice, or if you’re still looking for the perfect RV, like a Class A motorhome, then stop by our location in Concord, North Carolina, near Charlotte, Columbia, Raleigh, Asheville, and Greensboro.

Washing your RV

One of the most basic and easiest preventative measures you can take is just to keep your RV clean. Dirt and grime buildup are a major risk when it comes to wearing down the different parts of the rig and causing more damage than you may be able to afford. You can do the entire rig or you can more regularly just wash parts of the RV and leave the full washings for every once in a while. At the very least, this should include once before and after winter storage and after every extended trip.

Keep in mind that, while vehicle washing is mostly intuitive, there are some tips for doing it the right way. Make sure you’re using materials that won’t damage your RV. This should mean using a gentle detergent and a variety of brushes and rags. If you’re using a power washer, make sure you’re leaving enough space and not leaving the stream focused at one point for too long in order to prevent peeling the paint and finish. If you’re unsure which methods are best for your model, check your owner’s manual for a more tailored guide.

Sealants

Sealants are put in place wherever a hole has been cut in the frame of the RV and it needs to be sealed up (hence the name). This could be along window edges, door frames, vents, slide-outs, and anywhere else the manufacturer was trying to prevent leaks from happening at the most vulnerable parts of the model. But this also means that a little bit of wear and tear or damage can create big problems for you. Apply a seal conditioner regularly to keep them from drying out and cracking and inspect for any tears that might have occured over time. Sometimes your warranty will cover small repairs, but only if you’re committed to catching issues early on.

Lubrication

While you’re inspecting the seals around your slide-outs, there’s another maintenance step you can cover for this part of your RV. (If you don’t have slide-outs, then skip to the next part.) Take some time to lubricate your slide-outs, as dry bars can get stuck or scrape away at the parts and damage one of the more expensive and complicated parts of your rig. Make sure you’re spraying all sides of the bars, especially when you’re first taking it out of storage after winter.

Coverage

When you’re on the road, damage from the elements is often unavoidable. However, when you’re not using your RV, consider keeping it covered somehow. This will prevent sun damage, stave off leaks, and keep most debris off your model. Ideally, you’d have it completely covered in a building, like a barn, garage, or storage unit. If this isn’t possible, consider at least investing in a specialized cover or tarp.

While you’re performing regular maintenance, you may spot an issue you’re not equipped to resolve yourself. Whether you need our expertise or more specialized tools, consider giving our technicians a call at Golden Gait RV for all your repair needs. We’ll find the best way to get you back on the road as soon as possible. We proudly serve all current and future RV owners from Concord, Charlotte, Columbia, Raleigh, Asheville, and Greensboro, North Carolina.