Common RV Problems and Solutions

RVs are pure fun, whether you like to go out for weekend camping adventures or travel for longer stretches of time. However, if you don’t take proper care of your recreational vehicle, you could be faced with expensive repairs like burst water-lines, tire blowouts, dead batteries, and many other issues. Regular maintenance is important to keep your camper running smoothly. It takes a bit of experience to know what’s acting up when, and sometimes it’s too late to fix an issue when it becomes apparent.

At Schwab's R.V. World, we want our clients to know what to look for when faced with some common RV problems. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you perform maintenance and know when it’s time to take your rig in for professional fixing. If you have questions or need service, visit our dealership in Leduc, Alberta.

Water System Damage

One of the most common problems that RV owners face is a broken water-pump or burst water-lines, especially in areas that experience below-freezing temperatures during winter. When the water in your pipes freezes, the liquid expands and you risk a burst pipe that will start leaking as soon as everything warms up again. At the very least, you need to empty the tank, but the best way to combat burst pipes is to add antifreeze to your water system before you put your RV in storage. To prevent the seals from cracking, make sure to apply a lubricant or conditioner. If you notice a rip or a hole, you’ll want to get a bit of silicone sealant to patch this up.

Tire Blowout

Recreational vehicles are heavy, and it is the tires that support all that weight. Over time, this can have a severe impact on the health of your tires, especially when you’re driving over bumpy or worn-down roads. If you don’t take care of them, this can easily lead to a blowout, which could easily send your RV reeling off the road. You can avoid this issue by simply checking that the tires are inflated to the recommended pressure. This can be done with a tire pressure gauge or by installing a tire pressure monitoring system in your RV. You should also have a spare tire at all times, and check the pressure on the spare before you use it.

Washroom Malfunctions

If you notice that the water doesn’t stay in the toilet bowl or water keeps running from it, it’s likely that the rubber seal around the valve is not in good shape and needs to be replaced. If the water valve is not closing completely, then you will have to change that also. The valve seals start to deteriorate with time, so to extend their life you need to keep the channel around inside edges clear of dirt, calcium buildup, or any type of blockage.

Condensation

Some compact campers are difficult to ventilate, which means moisture gets trapped more easily and it can cause wood rot, mildew, and mold. These issues will ruin the structural integrity of your walls and floorboards, and they’re extremely expensive to repair, so it’s important that you know how to combat condensation. Keep fans going, open the window when doing the dishes, and during showers, and don’t leave wet clothes hanging around. You can also filter out a majority of the excess moisture in the air by using a dehumidifier.

Roof Leaks

The roof is one of the most important elements of an RV, considering that it protects us from the elements. Exposure to sunlight, extreme weather conditions, or low-hanging tree branches may potentially damage your RV’s roof. A damaged roof can lead to major problems with mold and mildew, and it can even let in pests and insects. Use a roof cover if possible to minimize the exposure to elements. To fix small cracks, you can apply a rubber coating, a roof patch, or special sealing tapes. Remember to inspect the roof every month and if you spot a problem, it’s best to get it repaired as soon as possible.

Battery Failure

RV batteries are expensive to replace, so you should do everything you can to extend their life. When your camper isn’t in use, it’s not a bad idea to disconnect the battery cables to conserve energy. Otherwise, the electrical devices will draw energy out of the battery, even when they’re not in use. Along with that, you should connect your battery to a tender if you plan on keeping it in storage during winter. This will prevent it from losing its charge, so it’ll be fresh and ready to use as soon as the weather gets warmer.

We hope you’ve found this short guide helpful for addressing some of the common RV problems. If you’d like to know more or need service or repairs, don’t hesitate to call us or head into our dealership in Leduc, AB. Schwab's R.V. World proudly serves all our customers in Edmonton.