On Point RV
St Catharines, ON, Canada L2R Saint Catharines, ON, Canada

CHECK SAFETY DEVICES Before heading out on the road, make sure all of the safety devices in your RV are operating properly. This includes your smoke alarm, fire extinguisher, carbon monoxide detector and LP detector. Install new batteries in all battery-powered safety devices. Test your carbon monoxide detector and smoke alarm. Make sure you know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to prevent a carbon monoxide leak in your RV. Look at the expiration date on your... fire extinguisher and purchase a new one if yours is outdated. If your RV has a dry powder fire extinguisher, release any powder that may have settled during storage by shaking it and tapping it on the bottom. Make sure you know how to properly operate your fire extinguisher and know what each safety alarm in your RV sounds like. Planning for safety in advance can help ensure a smooth and carefree RV camping season. See more

CHECK WINDOWS AND AIR VENTS As part of your RV spring maintenance, open all of your windows and air vents to make sure they are in working order. Air vents ensure proper air flow through your camper to prevent excess humidity and keep you cool all summer long. Properly functioning air vents become even more essential when you turn your RV heat back on in the fall, as they protect against toxic gas build-up inside your RV. Opening all of your windows will also refresh your RV with clean spring air after you take it out of storage.

CHANGE FILTERS During RV spring maintenance, change out all of your air and water filters. Air filters can collect a lot of dust and debris during a busy camping season, so start the season fresh with clean filters. Changing filters in your air conditioner and water systems can also improve the efficiency of your systems and save energy. When changing air and water filters, make sure to purchase the correct size for your air conditioner and water system. Ensure the filters fit snugly to effectively filter out dirt and bacteria.

TEST YOUR RV GENERATOR If your RV has an onboard generator, check the oil level. If oil levels are low, have your generator serviced by a professional. Before testing your generator, check the exhaust system for any damage. Operating a generator with a damaged exhaust system can harm the generator and lead to serious consequences. After inspecting the exhaust, turn the generator on to test it. If you exercised your RV generator during storage, it should start up easily. If the generator was not operated at all during storage, run it for a few hours with a half-rated load. Refer to the owner’s manual for load ratings. If your generator surges or will not start, have it inspected and repaired.

CHECK THE ENGINE Inspect the RV engine by checking all engine fluid levels and making sure all lights and controls are operational. Check the fluid levels of the power steering, transmission, engine oil, brake fluid, engine coolant and windshield washer fluid. If any levels are low, top them off before your first camping adventure or have your RV serviced. If you are concerned that there is a leak in any part of the engine, take your RV to a mechanic. After checking the engine fluid levels, hop in the driver’s seat and start the engine. Check the readings on all gauges and verify that all dash lights, headlights, taillights and windshield wipers are working. If any service lights come on, have your RV inspected by a certified mechanic.