Exterior Care & Maintenance Essentials - Season 1

Sealants have a tendency to dry out and crack when exposed to the harsh sun and even "travel" away from the joint as the rig rumbles down the road. It's important to check the roof-to-front cap, roof-to-sidewall, sidewall-to-floor joints as well as any accessory that is on the roof such as vents, skylights, and TV antenna.

Rubber roof material is warranted for ten years generally, only if it's cleaned, inspected, and a sealant applied every year! Knowing the type of material is important to understand the proper cleaner and sealant recommended by the material manufacturer. A good cleaning once a year will not only make it look better, but will also keep mold and mildew from forming.

Most sidewall today are made with a fiberglass outer skin with either decals or painted graphics. A good quality wax with UV protectant will keep it looking nice and help reduce fading known as oxidation. Decals should not be waxed as they will dry faster. If the sidewall has experienced oxidation, there are several products on the market that will help restore the luster...with a little elbow grease!

To most RVers, cleaning an awning looks like a daunting task especially when there are slideroom awnings, patio awnings, and even front entry door awnings. It's actually very simple and can be done without crawling up on the roof. Use a simple household detergent and soft bristle brush on a telescoping pole and you can quickly remove tree sap and other items that will create mold and mildew if left unattended.

Taking a quick look underneath your RV can help prevent some major repairs later down the road. Look for loose wiring hanging down, and especially dump valves and piping that's usually exposed on trailers and prone to damage by road debris. A leaky exhaust on a motorized vehicle, or generator can allow deadly carbon monoxide inside the rig as well as excess heat that might damage the floor.

Having 10 psi less than recommended pressure in an RV tire reduces carrying capacity by 25%. Proper tire pressure and only be determined by weight the rig, finding the amount of weight on the individual tire and referring to the tire manufacturer's inflation chart. Proper tire maintenance includes covering the tire during storage to reduce weather checking, checking tread wear for alignment issues, and checking pressure every day before you hit the road.

It's important to check the nooks and crannies inside an engine compartment of a motorized rig to make sure no debris such as leaves, garbage bags or other items are not lodged inside. A small rock chip in a windshield can quickly turn into a very expensive windshield replacement, and front clearance lights are notorious for allowing moisture into the front cap during a driving rain and that moisture travels to various parts of the rig making it difficult to pinpoint a leak inside the unit.