RV Maintenance & Troubleshooting Tips Happy Camper Care LLC

Cleaning Schedules & Routine Maintenance

Air Conditioners

Coil Cleaning annually will prevent air flow issues and freeze ups.
Check the shroud for any damage regularly especially if parked near/under trees.
During periods of excessive heat, cover windows with black out curtains or foil/tinting.
Do not allow the sunlight to directly hit the thermostat or it was misread the temperature in the room.
Gaps or holes in Plenum will cause thermal loss leading to short cycling.
If it runs for 1-5 minutes then turns off over and over again, short cycling is taking place.
If you hear humming with the AC running, fans or wiring issue.
Gaps or holes in the RV, under sinks, cabinets, and drawers will also cause thermal loss.
Use a Thermometer over the registers to check for efficiency.

Refrigerators

Air Conditioners

Clean the coils behind or under the unit annually.
Correct Ventilation is required for proper operation.
Keep a thermometer inside to monitor temperature even if you have an electronic thermostat.
Leveling is critical for operation.
Bad Door Gaskets will cause abnormal amount of cycling or run times.
Do not block vents or fans inside the refrigerator.
Cover exterior panels before pressure washing.
Do not allow sources of heat to exhaust directly into exterior panels to prevent overheating.
If you keep it on the Electric setting be sure to run it on Gas at least once a month for 15-30 minutes.
If you keep it on the Gas setting be sure to run it on Electric at least once a month for 15-30 minutes.

Water Heaters

Air Conditioners

Water Heaters

Flush water heater at least once a year, or after every 8 months of use is recommended.
Check and change the Anode Rod 'if applicable' every 10 weeks.
If T&P Valve is dripping, open a hot water faucet then open the valve for 30 seconds, close the valve then turn off the water.
Be sure to check bypass valve and check valves on water heater and on outdoor water systems like showers or sinks after every water flush or winterization.
It takes 10-15 minutes for water to heat up from ambient temps of 70 degrees F. It will collectively run for over an hour while you are away for periods of 8 hours at a time. Shutting the water heater off while you are gone can potentially save on propane usage.

Furnaces

Water Heaters

Never cover a vent or register with a carpet or with furniture. It will cause back pressure leading to system failure.
In hot seasons of the year, always run the furnace for 10-30 minutes each month to check that it works and to prevent build up or bug nests.
Never cover the exterior vents with dauber screens that are not approved by the manufacturer.
Thermometer reads on registers once a month to check for thermal loss.

Exterior

Furnaces

Exterior

Roof should be cleaned every 6 months to prevent membrane damage.
Do a "Full Walk Around" checking Leveling Systems, Slide Outs, Wheels, and Axles before moving the RV to prevent damage.
Cover open slot panels on appliances before power washing the RV to prevent water damage.
Check the seals and panels around the RV for peeling, cracking, gaps, holes.
Check the gaskets on doors, windows, and slide outs to ensure it is airtight to prevent thermal loss.
Check if your roof is walkable or not to prevent damage during service, never wear shoes that have points like cleats.
Never walk on a slide out roof.
Never use "X" style between axle wheel chocks.
Never use Petroleum based cleaning products.

Interior

Furnaces

Exterior

Check for places where air can get through it will create a thermal loss which will cause your Air Conditioner and Furnace to work harder in order to maintain desired temperature.
It is recommended to turn off all gas appliances before moving the RV, excessive air flow can hinder the direction of the flame causing damage to surfaces and wires.
Keeping the unit clean will prevent build up and mold that can cause permanent damage to the ceiling, walls, and floor of the RV.
Does the RV have any unnecessary equipment or unused items that are preventing full utilization of the limited space you have.

Winterization

De-Winterization

Turn off 12V power to water heater from Breaker in the Fuse Panel.
Open a hot water faucet until running water is cool.
Slowly open the T&P Valve to depressurize the tank.
Turn off the water pump and close the cold-water inlet valve.
Take out the Anode Rod or Drain Plug.
If you have a Wet Bay, turn the level that says "winterize" otherwise, open the bypass valve between hot and cold.
Using a winterization kit, remove the strainer from the water pump and connect the hose fitting to the inlet side. Put the other side of the hose into a bucket and pour one gallon of Food Grade Antifreeze into the bucket.
Turn on the Water Pump
Go to each faucet one at a time, turn on the hot until pink liquid comes out then turn off. Do the same for cold.
Once every faucet has been ran, flush the toilet until the water turns pink.
Make sure to run the shower and any outdoor water faucets as well until water turns pink.

De-Winterization

Connect the unit to city water.
Go to each faucet individually and run the hot, and then the cold separately until clear water appears.
Be sure to run every faucet including showers, toilets, and outside water sources.
After, open the low point drain plugs, let drain until clear water only comes out. Close drains.
Go to the water heater and re-insert the Anode Rod or Drain Plug.
Close the bypass valve or winterization valve for wet bays.
Keep the T&P Valve open while the water heater fills with water, once water comes out of the valve open a hot water faucet then close the T&P Valve.
Once water flows from the faucet, turn the faucet off.
Finally, turn the water heater back on.

Sanitization

De-Winterization

Sanitization

Turn off the Water Pump and close the bypass valve to the water heater.
Use 1/4 cup of Bleach for every 15 gallons of water to your fresh water holding tank or 1 cup for 50 gallons.
With an empty holding tank, connect one side of the hose to the inlet, pour the bleach into the other side and then connect to the water source.
Completely fill the fresh water holding tank.
Turn on the water pump, go to each faucet one by one and individually run the hot and then the cold water until you smell bleach.
Once you have run every faucet, shower, and toilet, let the water sit for at least 8 hours. Do not use the water at all from any location during this process.
After the 8 hours have passed, open the holding tank and drain.
Once the holding tank is empty, refill and run water through each faucet individually first hot, and then cold, until you no longer smell bleach.

RV & Trailer Care Tips

Cleaning Schedules & Routine Maintenance

Air Conditioners

Air Conditioners

Air Conditioners

Refrigerators

Air Conditioners

Air Conditioners

Water Heaters

Air Conditioners

Water Heaters

Furnaces

Furnaces

Water Heaters

Exterior

Furnaces

Exterior

Interior

Furnaces

Exterior

Winterization

De-Winterization

De-Winterization

De-Winterization

De-Winterization

De-Winterization

Sanitization

De-Winterization

Sanitization

Instagram

This website uses cookies.