While Recreational Vehicles (RVs) may seem ungainly on the surface, they are an acquired taste and are adored by automobile enthusiasts nationwide. RVs offer the perfect mix of comfortable living and mobility for users. However, these behemoths are undoubtedly challenging to live with and maintain daily. Hence, it is common for users to make certain RV maintenance mistakes now and then. A few such common mistakes that RV users must avoid are listed below.

Letting pests in
Without adequate care, pests enter RVs routinely and stay there for several seasons if not removed immediately. Moreover, pests also cause extensive damage to an RVs wiring, appliances, materials, and furniture. Pests are also known to reproduce rapidly to wreak havoc in such vehicles. To keep creatures such as rats and bats at bay, one can set up traps and periodically inspect their vehicle. Mouse traps with candy or cheese can come in handy to trap and eliminate rats and mice from entering and multiplying in an RV.

Not covering the roof when parked
Covering the roof when one’s RV is parked protects the vehicle from pests, rain, and other natural agents. RVs generally come with thin, lightweight roofs, which are not very protective. One can use a waterproof tarp cover to reinforce their roof to offset this. Such an added layer of protection helps one protect their beloved recreational vehicles from snowfall, rain, and leaves shed by trees during the fall season.

The roof is the most critical part of an RV, given that the vehicle is practically a house on wheels; therefore, not covering and protecting the roof enough is one of the biggest RV maintenance mistakes.

Not winterizing the RV
RVs will often encounter incredibly low temperatures at various points throughout the year. It can cause the plumbing in these vehicles to freeze and, if not repaired on time, get damaged. Later, one will need to spend a lot of money to address this glaring problem. One can avoid this outcome by winterizing their RV.

One of the best winterizing things to do is pump “RV safe” antifreeze throughout the vehicle’s plumbing system. It ensures their water lines do not freeze even in the coldest temperatures. Alternatively, using an air compressor or a drain-down system also helps quickly purge water lines and prevent frozen water from being stuck in pipes and taps. These, and other winterizing techniques, help people keep their RVs in the best condition during cold days.

Always doing DIY maintenance
While DIY maintenance saves money and is a quick solution to specific RV damage issues, it may not always be the best option. Getting an expert to do the repairs and maintenance work is advised. Professionals in this area have experience in fixing complex RV issues and the requisite know-how to deal with a wide variety of problems.

Not fixing water damage issues
Problems like openings, seams, and cracks can cause leaks in an RV and, eventually, destroy wooden furniture and absorbent carpets in the vehicle. Therefore, as soon as one finds any water damage issues, the wise choice is to deal with them without delay.