Written by:

David Hosea

Last updated: November 1, 2023

As I approached retirement, Heather and I dreamed of long, themed trips such as tours of the National Parks, breweries, MLB ballparks, mountains, beaches, and historic sites.  Finding the right RV was important to us and we went into the full-time lifestyle knowing that no RV would be perfect.  If we didn’t have something to fix today, we knew that we might have something to fix tomorrow so understanding the basics of RV maintenance and repairs would be crucial for us.

Understanding the basics of RV maintenance and repairs is important to every RVer, regardless of the number of miles behind them.

One of the most important considerations for RV maintenance is preventive care.  Simple tasks like checking tire pressure, topping off fluid levels, and ensuring that all lights and electrical systems are functioning properly can prevent more serious issues down the road.  It is also less expensive than addressing an issue that presents itself unexpectedly.

Preventive care allows us to choose the time and place for maintenance.  That is more pleasant and often safer than allowing something like a tire to choose the time and place.

Another key consideration of RV maintenance is understanding the different systems that make up our rigs.  Being familiar with systems such as engine and transmission, electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling systems can help us diagnose and address any problems that may pop up. 

RVers on the road for any length of time will likely face common issues such as a leaky roof, a plumbing problem, or a door that stopped closing smoothly.  Having a basic understanding of the repair process and access to the right tools and supplies can make a big difference.

For some of us, the right tools may only be a phone and credit card.  For others, the tools and supplies we carry will depend on our experience, level of confidence, spare parts for systems we pre-identified as critical, and the space to store them.

Here are some of the tools and spare parts that I carry:

1. Power drill/driver
2. Socket set/screwdriver bit set
3. Wrenches/pliers
4. Lights and fuses
5. Trailer Aid tire changing ramp
6. On-board air compressor with tire inflator/gauge
7. Torque wrench
8. Airstream water pump
9. Waterless traps for the kitchen and bathroom sinks

I have the tools I think I need, but having the tools won’t help if I don’t know how to use them.  We also need skills.

Top 7 Essential RV Maintenance and Repair Skills for All RVers:

1. Tire Maintenance: Checking tire pressure continuously with a TPMS or checking manually at specific points in the trip, inspecting tread wear, and understanding the proper way to inflate and maintain tires is essential for safe and reliable travel.  Understanding the load and speed rating for our tires is important and knowing how to determine the age of the tire will help prevent untimely and costly tire problems.  I wrote an article earlier about a tire issue I caught prior to a long road trip and how catching it prevented costly damage, kept us safe, and kept us on schedule.  You can read that article here.
2. Electrical System Knowledge: Understanding our RV’s electrical system, including the type of batteries that we carry and their limitations, charging systems, inverters, and wiring, is crucial for identifying whether we have an electrical issue (or not) and fixing them.  Not long after taking delivery of our new Airstream, we went to the dealer and reported an issue with our electric recliners.  We assumed that they were connected to the battery and should work all the time, but they only worked when we were connected to shore power.  We didn’t realize that we needed to turn on the inverter to power them when running on battery.  The electric problem we thought we had didn’t exist.
3. Plumbing System Maintenance: Familiarizing ourselves with our RV’s plumbing system, including the freshwater system, tank heaters, drains into waste tanks, tank flush, traps, pumps, and winterizing/de-winterizing procedures, can help us prevent or address common plumbing issues.
4. Engine and Transmission Maintenance: Regularly checking and maintaining our rig’s engine and transmission can help ensure trouble-free performance, reduce unexpected expenses, and extend the life of these components.
5. Basic Carpentry Skills: Knowing how to perform basic carpentry tasks, such as fixing loose cabinets, adjusting hinges and drawer slides, or replacing damaged trim, can help us maintain and improve the appearance of our RVs.
6. Minor Repair Skills: Having basic repair skills, such as the ability to fix leaks, replace light fixtures, or repair minor damage to the exterior of our RV, can save us time and money.  Being able to adapt and improvise with what we have on hand is important, too.
7. Trouble-Shooting Skills: To me, this is the most important skill.  Having critical thinking skills and being able to diagnose and address common problems, such as slow or clogged waste tanks, leaks, or electrical issues, is an important skill for us to have.  This is also where I decide if an issue is beyond my capability and if so, to call for help.

If you are new to RVing, or if you feel uncomfortable handling repairs, there are plenty of resources available to help.

For example, RV dealerships and manufacturers offer customer support on the phone or online.  There are training programs such as the National RV Training Academy in Athens, TX and workshops that can help us learn the basics of RV maintenance and repairs.  Also, we can find answers to many of our questions online with videos and search engine queries.  Other RVers will answer questions and offer advice on community forums or at rallies.

RV maintenance and repairs are an expected part of the RVing experience.  Regardless of our experience level, we should understand the basics of RV maintenance and repair so we can enjoy our travel and keep our rigs running reliably. With a little bit of knowledge or a willingness to learn, we can tackle most of the maintenance or repair issues that come our way.  For larger issues, knowing when to call for help will minimize frustration and will keep our RV trips on the pleasant side of the continuum.

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