5 DIY Maintenance Tips for RV Newbies

You should keep up with maintenance, whether new to RVing or a seasoned expert, so that you may enjoy your investment for many years. An excellent place to start is with exterior maintenance. With this helpful maintenance checklist, you can keep the outside of your RV in perfect condition.

Maintenance Tips for RV Newbies

Follow these maintenance tips to keep your RV safe, clean, and maintained.

1- WASH RV exterior after every trip

The solution is a sponge wash followed by a rinse with water and mild soap. A concentrated cleaning can also be used to remove those stubborn stains off your RV. But make sure to frequently wash the outside of your RV, ideally right after each trip. Avoid spraying water directly into appliance vents to prevent condensation.

2- Apply protectant or WAX to RV exterior

The exterior of your RV should be coated with a high-quality wax or protectant. Depending on the size of your RV, this could take some time, but it’s worth the effort. Before you begin waxing, make sure the exterior is completely dry.

Spot-test the wax on a small portion of the graphics before applying it. Make sure the wax is suitable for the style of the exterior of your RV before using it.

3- Apply lubricant on all locks, hinges, and moving parts

Nobody enjoys a squeaky door, window, or storage compartment. An easy maintenance procedure that takes a few minutes involves lubricating all locks with graphite spray lubricant and all hinges and moving parts with WD40.

4- Prevent water damage, carefully inspect any sealed locations

Your RV is constantly exposed to the elements on your journeys throughout the seasons. To prevent the interior of your RV from potential water damage, mice, or other vermin, you need to ensure that the outside, including the roof, sides, edges, windows, doors, vents, end caps, moldings, compartments, and underbelly, is sealed off and doing its function.

Look for any cracks, gaps, or spots with deteriorated sealant; use repair tape to make rapid repairs. When repairing an RV roof, be essential to apply the proper glue, such as Rexoseal RV Roof Sealant, which we highly suggest.

5- Store RV indoors

You should regularly check for snow accumulation and clear ice and snow from the RV’s exterior during the winter. When not in use, it is best to keep your RV indoors, where it will receive some additional weather protection.

Final Verdict

Start planning your upcoming RV vacation now that you have all the advice you need for risk-free and worry-free travel. Get excellent maintenance and repair services for your RV, trailers, campers, or horse trailers from TNT RV.

Our expert team provides outstanding services at your doorstep; contact us now to get all preventative and protective maintenance and repair services.

What to Look at When Purchasing a Used RV

Like a used car, a used RV can be a great buy. Used RVs have already depreciated in value, most are only lightly used, and you will get a much better price on them than purchasing a new RV. However, a used RV can be a really bad purchase if you don’t know what to look for. In this article, we are going to discuss what to look at when buying a used RV and why hiring a professional to inspect it is in your best interest.

1. Water Damage

The very first thing you need to look for on a used RV is water damage. Water damage is quite common on used RVs because the seams and sealants on RVs flex and move until there is a small crack or opening that water can penetrate. If the previous owner did not have a professional company to inspect and reseal the seams and sealants chances are there is some water damage.

On the interior of the RV, you can detect water damage by signs of staining or discoloration, soft spots around windows, inside the cabinets, and on the floor. Water damage is expensive to repair, especially if it has time to spread. If there is water damage we recommend you move on and look to purchasing a different RV.

2. Systems and Appliances

Making sure your systems and appliances are in working order is the next step in the process of inspecting a used RV. This check includes the water system, the LP gas system, the electrical system, and checking every appliance in the RV. In motorized RVs with an engine, the transmission and rear axle needs to be inspected too. You should thoroughly inspect the underside of the motorhome for and indications of leaks. If you discover any leaks, repairs should be made prior to you purchasing the RV. If you are buying from a private owner, hire a qualified RV repair and inspection company like TNT RV Repair to perform the inspection for you.

3. Tires

The tires are an important part of the RV inspection process. However, you cannot just look at the tires to inspect them, because it is common for older tires to look fine upon initial glance.  If the RV you are considering purchasing is seven years old, chances are the tires are seven years old as well. Tires that are six years old, or older, should be inspected by a company like TNT RV Repair because they may need to be replaced.

Conclusion

Purchasing a used motor home is a great way to save some money and still own a great product. However, we recommend you get a professional company involved to make sure you are making a sound purchase. If you are in the Las Vegas and Henderson areas, TNT RV Repair is here to assist you. Upon inspection, we go through each system of the used RV and check for water damage, functionality, and tire inspection to make sure you will be happy with your purchase. We can also fix anything that needs to be repaired or updated. So make us your first point of contact when looking to purchase a used motor home.

How to Choose an RV Repair Company

An RV can be a lot of work if you don’t have a reliable and knowledgeable company to work on repairing and maintaining it. Whether it is a simple inspection or a major repair, the RV repair company that you choose should be able to do an admirable job. This is why you need to be extremely careful when choosing an RV mechanic. In this article, we have listed things to look for and questions to ask before deciding on an RV Repair Company.

1. Check the Reviews

Reviews are important. They show other people’s experience with a company. While five-star reviews are great, remember the number of stars is only half the review. If someone left a poor review you also want to look at how the company responded. When someone brings attention to the fact they are displeased does the company try and make it right or did they call the reviewer a jerk? This will show you how you will be treated if you are displeased with the service.

2. How Experienced is the Mechanic?

While searching for the best RV mechanic, you have to factor in the experience of the mechanic and the team. At TNT RV Repair we have been servicing RV’s for over twenty years. All of our mechanics are qualified and certified and have done all the necessary training for the job. It makes a big difference when you choose an experienced RV repair company.

3. Do They Offer Mobile RV Repair Services?

Your RV can experience mechanical issues leading to a stalled vehicle while you are on the road. When such an incident occurs, you won’t be able to drive to the RV to the mechanic for repairs. The good thing about our mobile RV repair service is the mechanic will come to your location. If it is a quick fix we can repair it on the spot, and for larger issues, we can have it towed into our warehouse.

4. Choose a specialized RV repair company

When looking for the best RV repair company, choose a company that specializes in RV/camper repairs and maintenance. A specialized RV mechanic knows and has experience in different problems that can affect your recreational vehicle. Most likely, they have seen the issue you are having before and can easily fix it.

5. Join the RV community

Joining an RV Community is one of the most efficient ways of finding the best RV repair company. You can find these communities on Reddit, Facebook, and other social apps. Members of these groups will always recommend the best RV repair companies where you can confidently take your vehicle.

Being proactive and having a reliable RV repair company on hand before you have a problem with your vehicle will give you time to find the right company for you. If you are in the Henderson or Las Vegas area, contact TNT RV Repair today to talk to one of our mechanics!

Common Maintenance for Your RV

It’s the New Year and it’s the time when most people decide what RV adventures they want to go on in this new chapter of life. If you live in the Henderson or Las Vegas area, you are fortunate because you can use your RV year round. You don’t have to be cooped up in the house, just waiting for the cold to dissipate. It stays warm enough here you can use your home away from home all winter long. However, the question is not can you take your RV on an adventure, but rather have you made sure its maintenance is up to date. You don’t want to have mechanical trouble on the road and that’s why you should always maintain your RV. Here are the most common RV maintenance services you need to have checked before going on a trip.

Electrical System

Electrical issues on the road can make a fun, relaxing trip turn into one full of inconveniences. Imagine no lights or working appliances. Even worse, cold showers. Before heading out on a trip, you will need to do a thorough check of your electrical system. This will help you determine whether there are faults that need to be corrected before you head out.

Propane System

If your RV has a propane system installed, then you definitely have to test it out before heading out. The propane sensor is usually located on the floor of the vehicle. This is because propane is heavier than air, and will fall towards the bottom whenever there is a leak. Not only is a propane leak inconvenient, but it also is dangerous. The first thing to do is check if it powers on by using the included test feature. If not working, then you will want to visit us at TNT RV Repair to have a professional look at it.

If the test feature is working, then it’s time to test for a leak. You do this by turning the propane valves open. You will need to leave it in this position for about two hours. If there is a leak, then the sensor will pick it up, and you need to get it repaired. If the sensor did not go off then there is no leak and you should be good to go.

Tire and Brake

In order to remain safe on the road, you have to have well maintained tires and brakes. When looking at your tires you want to make sure there is still ample tread and they aren’t worn more than fifty percent. If they are not in proper condition you need to stop in to get new tires or to have a professional give you their opinion.

Secondly, you need to check your brakes. RVs are larger and harder to control than standard cars, so your brake system has to be in tip-top shape, so you are safe on the road. It is best to rely on the experience of a qualified mechanic to determine if your brakes meet these guidelines.

Oil and Air Filter

Similar to a car, some of the simplest fixes you can make to get your engine up and running is by simply changing the oil and air filters. Both of these services are preventative at protecting your engine, but we highly recommend maintaining them because they are inexpensive and prolong the life of your engine.

Air filters work by blocking particles that would otherwise make it into the cylinders of your engine. If an air filter gets too dirty, it stops working. That is why it is imperative to change them annually. They are a cheap and quick fix to protect your engine.

Oil is essential for the health of your engine and like a car you should change your oil every three to five thousand miles. As parts in your engine move, they rub against each other. If no oil is present, the heat generated will be dangerous to the engine components and will likely cause the engine to seize up. The oil works by lubricating your engine parts to keep them working smoothly and it draws heat away from the engine.

If you need help with any of your RV maintenance services contact TNT RV Repair today! Request service now.

Basic Facts You Need to Know About RV Repair

Basic Facts You Need to Know About RV Repair

Whether you are already an RV owner or you are looking to buy an RV in the near future, chances are one of your main concerns is the maintenance and repair of the RV. This is for a good reason, while RV’s are a great way to see this beautiful countryside, all of those miles will put wear and tear on your home on wheels.

In order to help you assess what can break on your RV the maintenance team at TNT RV has compiled a list of some common RV repairs and how to prevent and protect against them. Before we get started, we want to caution you to always go to a reputable RV repair center. It will save you a lot of time and money in the long run because these machines are complicated and need to be fixed by technicians that are experienced fully understand what they are doing. 

Plumbing Issues

There is nothing worse than having an issue with your toilet or pump while traveling in your RV. Not only do you not have a working restroom, you also can have a foul smell that will ruin your trip. To prevent this from happening you should:

          •        Limit the amount of toilet paper you use. If you need to use more, have a wastebasket you can throw the excess into.

          •        Never leave the black water drain pipe open, this causes all of the liquid waste to drain and will leave the sticky stuff stuck inside.

          •        Have a snake line available as the first layer of defense. However, if this doesn’t work, it might be time to call TNT RV

Electrical Problems

Trying to repair anything having to do with electricity on your own is a bad idea. Electrical connections can cause fires if they are wired incorrectly and the electricity itself can electrocute someone who doesn’t fully understand what they are doing. If you are having electrical issues, take your RV to an RV repair center immediately. In order to prevent electrical issues you should:

          •        The outlet boxes in RV tend to become loose from the vibrations of constant travel. These can easily be replaced without having much experience.

          •        RVs typically come with lead-acid batteries, although there is nothing wrong with this, switching to using lithium batteries can make maintenance much easier and they have a much longer life span.

RV HVAC 

When you are traveling across the country, comfort is extremely important. Having an HVAC system that works at providing you both heat and air conditioning is essential to that comfort. In order to prevent HVAC issues you should:

          •        Replace air vent filters if your AC is blowing air but it isn’t cold.

          •        Check to make sure your thermostat isn’t the issue.

Conclusion

Traveling in an RV is a great experience to do as a family or by yourself, but maintenance issues will happen. Help yourself to avoid these frustrating experiences by contacting TNT RV today for a check up before you head back out on the road.