You’re driving along and the family vacation is going well so far. The kids aren’t complaining that they’re bored and your spouse is enjoying the scenic drive. All of sudden, your check engine light comes on and the RV sputters to a stop. You’re dead on the road. So much for a blissful family vacation. You can avoid the headache you’re about to experience by knowing what can go wrong with your RV before it does. Midlane Truck & Trailer Repair explains five common causes of RV trouble.
Engine Trouble
Always have a complete engine inspection before you take your RV out on the road. Simple problems such as a dirty air filter or low or dirty engine oil can cause serious engine trouble. Some do-it-yourself RV drivers check and refill engine fluids before a trip without realizing they’ve added the wrong fluid type to the RV’s engine. This can cause heartache on the road. Leave the pre-trip inspection to the pros.
Battery Failure
Your RV’s battery has double-duty. It has to power the vehicle’s engine and the interior and exterior power supplies. Make sure the battery is healthy before you head out for your trip. If you need a new battery, don’t take chances. Replace it. When you’ve parked for the night, plug the battery into the charging station to keep the power supply operable. Charge the battery properly before your trip, too.
Voltage Overload
As with your home, your RV is only capable of handling so many volts. If you overload the circuits, you’ll break them and have an RV blackout. Keep the voltage of all extraneous devices under the maximum voltage capacity. This prevents failure and fires. For example, once the coffee maker has brewed you and your spouse’s morning cups, unplug it until you need to use it again to reduce voltage demand.
Tire Blowouts
Don’t go on vacation without a full tire inspection because tires that are wearing down unevenly can blowout and cause an accident. If your tires are new, inspect them for uneven wear and check to make sure you’ve had them rotated within the last 6,000 miles. If they’re old, it’s best to have them inspected before your trip to ensure they are road-ready so you don’t lose control of your RV.
Exterior Holes
Exterior RV damage can end your trip, and the number one cause of exterior RV damage is driver error. Have you ever driven beneath a low-hanging tree only to hear the frightful sound of scraping branches? Be careful to avoid anything that could puncture your RV’s exterior. Things to watch out for include trees, bridges, overhangs, overpasses, and anything else that might come in contact with your RV.
We are Midlane Truck & Trailer Repair, and we’re located in Eugene, OR. We maintain and repair RVs, so call us for an inspection.