Too Much to Remember? Check it Out, Check it Off

There are lots of things to remember, and to maintain on an RV. Sometimes we tend to overlook the simplest maintenance requirements on our RV. As the old saying goes, 'you can't see the forest for the trees.' Let’s take a quick look into some common RV owner maintenance oversights.
 

It’s not uncommon for your RV to sit in storage for periods of time. If dry cell batteries aren't removed from devices like smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors the devices won't work when you need them too. By simply getting in a habit of checking the smoke, CO, and LP gas leak detectors prior to each trip you can prevent this from happening. Follow the testing instructions in the owner’s manual or on the device itself. If you remove dry cell batteries during storage remember to re-install them in the spring.

You also need to get in a habit of inspecting the fire extinguisher before each trip. Look to see if the arrow is pointing in the green area in the sight gauge. If it reads empty or needs charging replace it or have it recharged immediately. If it’s a dry powder type fire extinguisher the arrow pointing in the green doesn't always guarantee it will work. Every month you should turn dry powder extinguishers upside down, tap on the bottom of the extinguisher and shake it so the powder that settled on the bottom is released. Make sure you know how to operate the fire extinguisher too.

So, how do we go about remembering all this stuff every time we take a trip? By using a simple pre-trip checklist. A pre-trip checklist can serve as a reminder to check and test all safety devices prior to leaving on an RV trip.

Happy RV Learning!
Mark Polk
RV Education 101

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