With spring finally arriving, it’s time for RV owners to dust off the cobwebs and prepare their vehicles for another three seasons on the road! Winter weather and conditions can be hard on your RV. After you get your vehicle uncovered and out of storage, use this checklist to get ready to roll out on your next adventure.

Check for leaks

According to Bish’s RV Super Center, water leaks are the biggest problem for RV owners after the winter. Carefully inspect the roof, doors, vents, seams and windows for cracks or other problems. Now is also the time to make sure no critters have taken up residence in your mobile home.

Inspect batteries

According to MotorHome Magazine, the battery bay can be prone to problems after a long winter in storage, since cold weather is tough on batteries. Before checking your batteries, make sure to disconnect shore power, turn off all items in the RV and turn the main power switch off. You should also wear safety glasses and protective gloves.

Inspect all terminals, connections and battery trays for signs of corrosion. According to Bish’s RV, hot water and baking soda works well for cleaning batteries. You should also check battery fluid levels.

You may also need to recharge the batteries. A battery may discharge up to 10 percent a month while in storage, so unless you checked and recharged the batteries over the winter, you should fully charge them now, according to KOA Campgrounds.  

Test and clean water lines

You’ll need to run fresh water through the RV’s entire system if it was winterized using non-toxic RV antifreeze until all traces are removed, according to KOA. The easiest way to do this, according to MotorHome Magazine, is to attach a hose to the water tank and add fresh water. Then, switch on the water pump and go to each faucet (sinks, toilet, shower, etc.) and run it until all traces of pink are gone.

You should also check the plumbing system for leaks. You should turn on the RV’s 12-volt water pump with water in the fresh water holding tank and pressurize the system until the pump shuts off, KOA explains. If the water pump cycles back on, that means there’s a leak somewhere, which will need to be repaired.

After months in storage, it’s also a good idea to sanitize your RV’s water system. According to MotorHome Magazine, a normal 60-gallon tank requires about 1 cup of chlorine bleach added to the full tank. Switch on the water flow valve and run water from each faucet for a few minutes to get the bleach solution into all the lines. Then, let the system sit for at least four hours. Next, empty the freshwater tank and flush the lines with clean city water from a connected hose.

Check liquid propane

Before you get started on this step, make sure all appliances that use liquid propane are turned off and there are no open flames or sparks nearby.

You should begin by opening the valves on your RV’s propane tanks and smelling the area for leaks, according to Bish’s RV. Then, use a soapy water mixture to check the valves. If you find a leak, it should be repaired by a professional.

Test appliances

Once you’ve inspected the LP system, it’s time to test your appliances. According to Bish’s RV, you should start by lighting the stovetop, and then testing another LP fired item, such as the refrigerator. Make sure your water heater tank is full before testing the water heater.

If LP appliances are working, KOA recommends plugging in the unit and testing 120-volt appliances, as well.

Check tires

Remember that tires can lose 2 to 3 psi a month while sitting in storage. Make sure to check the tire pressure in all tires (including the spare) and adjust inflation pressure accordingly.

Take a look under the hood

MotorHome Magazine recommends checking the engine oil, coolant level and transmission fluid levels before your first trip. Then, start the engine and let it idle for five to 10 minutes while you check the headlights, brake lights and turn signals.

You should also check the oil level in the generator, according to KOA. If you didn’t use the generator while your RV was in storage, run it for two hours with at least a half-rated load.

Make sure you’re covered with the right insurance policy

An RV can have many uses, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach to insuring one. When preparing to buy insurance for your RV, trustedchoice.com recommends considering how you will use your motorhome. For example, if you live in your vehicle full time over the summer, you’ll need liability coverage in case somebody is injured in or around your RV and personal property coverage to cover your belongings in case they’re stolen. If your RV use is more casual, you likely won't need as much coverage, but that is something you should discuss with a licensed insurance professional.

Your RV also has special equipment that should be covered, including the refrigerator and generator. Insurers will also offer a number of extra coverage options, according to bankrate.com, including coverage for pet injuries, vacation liability, trip insurance, trailer and golf cart coverage, roadside assistance and more. 

The amount you’ll pay for RV insurance can vary greatly depending on the type of motorhome or trailer you own, how often you use it, how old it is, your age, gender, driving record and more. This can range from less than $100 to thousands of dollars per year.

For NY and PA RV owners, give an InsuraMatch agent a call to learn more about the coverage you may need for this RV season at 855.244.7671.