Everything New Owners Need to Know About Travel Trailer Repair
For many people, buying that shiny new RV or travel trailer is one of the most exciting purchases of their lives. An RV is your gateway to highway freedom, allowing you to go anywhere, live anywhere, and maybe even make the world your office as you do business remotely.
However, owning an RV is also a significant responsibility. Their care and maintenance are significantly more complicated than a regular car or truck. So it’s good to learn as much as you can about RV and travel trailer repair and maintenance, to ensure your new vehicle will provide years of enjoyment.
As the top source for RV, motorhome, and trailer upgrades and repairs in Ohio, Mainline RV & Truck Service is here to help! Let's talk about some of the most important elements of maintaining your new RV.
I. Basic Maintenance
In theory, basic maintenance on an RV or travel trailer isn't that much different than a regular vehicle. It's just much larger and more complicated in some respects. However, the essentials remain the same.
· Tires. Always check the inflation on your tires before any major trip, and ensure they're inflated to the PSI specified in your manual. Also visually check them regularly for signs of damage, such as cracks, bulges, or embedded objects.
· Fluids. As with a regular vehicle, keeping your oil topped up and regularly changed should be a top priority. However, don't neglect the other fluids, such as your brake fluid and transmission fluid. Keep your manual handy so you know how to check these, and what their proper levels should be.
· Lights and electrical system. We strongly recommend testing all your lights before a journey, as this will also tell you if your electrical system is working well. Besides the safety factor, having malfunctioning lights on your RV will also attract police - and nobody wants to get pulled over on their vacation.
· Structural inspection. Motorhomes, RVs, and trailers can be a bit flimsy compared to many smaller vehicles. The roof, in particular, is highly vulnerable to damage because of how big it is. You should regularly do a visual inspection of your trailer, including getting up to the roof, to check for damage or leaks. If there is damage, go to an RV and travel trailer repair center before heading out.
· Internal cleaning. It's very easy to overlook spills, dropped food, and similar garbage in your trailer. Don't let this happen! It can encourage a pest infestation, such as ants, or even encourage the growth of mold/mildew - not to mention getting smelly, if too much food goes without being cleaned up.
· Winter storage. Unless you're traveling in the winter, it's a very good idea to winterize your RV and store it indoors during the cold months. You should drain the water and add antifreeze to the plumbing, and also disconnect the battery to be stored indoors where it's warmer.
II. Finding a Great Motorhome and Travel Trailer Repair Shop
The other most important thing to know about maintaining a travel trailer or other RV is that your typical neighborhood garage will not be qualified to work on it. You need to find experienced professionals who specialize in trucks, trailers, and RVs to guarantee you get high-quality repair and upgrade work.
So what are the most important factors when looking for an RV repair center?
1 - Experience with your vehicle
Most car repair shops can't handle RVs, and not all truck-focused shops have experience with motorhomes or travel trailers either. Be sure the shop you choose specifically advertises themselves as working with RVs. You might even want to call ahead, and ask if they have experience with your particular make/model of RV.
Basically, the more experience they have, the better.
2 - Wide variety of services
Ideally, you want a travel trailer repair shop that can be your all-in-one source for parts, accessories, upgrades, or repairs. It's kind of like going to a doctor - you want one you know, and who knows you, to get the best service. Once you find a great shop, stick with it. You'll have better luck that way.
3- On-site emergency services
If your motorhome or RV breaks down on the road, getting it towed can add a significant expense to the repair costs. However, many RV repair centers will have their own on-site services. If they can come to you, that means there's a chance they could repair the problem on the road, without having to tow you at all. If a tow is required, you'll probably pay less than if you called a third-party towing company, since the repair shop is getting your business out of it.
4 - Excellent customer service
Most people have been to a repair shop where it seems like the staff doesn't want to be there, and doesn't care if you're there either. Avoid these places! You want an RV repair center with enthusiastic, motivated workers who make you feel welcome. You'll almost certainly get better services out of them as well.
5 - Costs
We won't lie, RV and travel trailer repairs tend to be expensive. Just expect that going in. Moreover, you really don't want to go cheap on repairs. It's genuinely worth paying a little extra for high-quality parts and service. That'll keep your RV running better, for longer, and can even extend its overall lifespan.
When You Need RV Service in Ohio, Come to Mainline!
Mainline RV & Truck Service is Cleveland's top source for all the upgrades, services, and repairs you might need. Drivers come from all over the state to take advantage of our excellent facilities, extensive parts and accessories shop, and top-class repair services. With our long history of excellent service Mainline has built a reputation few shops can match, and our customers come back for help time and time again.
From basic inspections to major rebuilds, click here to schedule a service visit at Mainline RV.
