An RV is a house, a truck, and a boat rolled into one — which means it has three times the ways to fail. This RV maintenance checklist covers pre-trip inspections, seasonal service, and winterization for motorhomes and travel trailers, so you spend more time at the campsite and less time at the shop.
Why an RV maintenance schedule matters
RVs fail from sitting, not from driving. Tires dry-rot in UV. Roof sealant cracks and leaks into the walls. Slide seals harden. Batteries sulfate. Holding tanks crust over. A documented maintenance history also protects resale value and gives insurance a paper trail if you ever file a claim after a blowout, roof leak, or appliance fire.
Pre-trip checklist (every trip)
- Tire pressure and tread — check cold, including the spare. Underinflation is the #1 cause of RV blowouts.
- Lug nut torque — re-torque after the first 50 miles of any trip following a wheel-off service.
- Lights and brakes — running, brake, turn signals, and trailer brake controller response.
- Hitch, safety chains, breakaway cable for trailers; kingpin lock for fifth wheels.
- Propane leak check — soapy water on fittings, listen for the regulator, verify detector works.
- Roof and slide seals — quick walk-around for cracks, gaps, or missing lap sealant.
- Fluids — engine oil, coolant, transmission, power steering, generator oil.
- House batteries — 12.4V+ resting; check water level on flooded lead-acid.
- Awning, antenna, steps, jacks retracted before rolling. "Departure checklist" saves rigs.
Monthly / every-few-trips
- Inspect roof sealant around vents, AC, antenna, skylights, and edges. Reseal cracks before they leak.
- Lube slide-out rails with dry silicone or manufacturer-specified lube.
- Condition slide and door seals with rubber protectant to prevent drying and cracking.
- Clean AC filters — dirty filters kill cooling capacity in hot weather.
- Flush black and gray tanks; verify sensors read correctly.
- Test smoke, CO, and propane detectors. Replace batteries annually, units every 5–7 years.
- Exercise the generator under load for 30+ minutes monthly. Idle-only running fouls it.
Seasonal / annual service
- Roof reseal inspection. Full walk of every seam and penetration. Add self-leveling lap sealant to any crack. A $20 tube prevents $10,000 of water damage.
- Wheel bearings. Repack trailer bearings annually or every 12,000 miles; inspect motorhome bearings per chassis manual.
- Brakes. Inspect pads/shoes, adjust trailer electric brakes, test controller gain.
- Engine and generator service. Oil, filters, air filter, fuel filter. Generators need oil every 100–150 hours.
- Propane system. Regulator pressure test and leak-down every 1–2 years by a certified tech.
- Water heater. Drain, flush sediment, replace anode rod (Suburban only — Atwood/Dometic uses aluminum tanks, no anode).
- Fresh water system. Sanitize with a bleach solution once a season and after any long storage.
- Tires. Check DOT date code — RV tires age out at 5–7 years regardless of tread. Replace by date, not miles.
Winterization checklist
The whole point of winterizing an RV is simple: no water anywhere it can freeze, no live batteries in the cold, no critters, no stale fuel. Skip a step and you'll pay for a burst PEX line or a chewed wiring harness in spring.
- Drain fresh, gray, and black tanks. Flush black until the sensor reads clean.
- Bypass the water heater and drain it (pull the anode/plug and open the pressure relief valve).
- Blow out lines with compressed air at 30–40 psi, or pump RV antifreeze through every faucet, shower, toilet, and outside shower until pink runs.
- Pour antifreeze into P-traps and a cup into the toilet bowl.
- Stabilize fuel in the generator and engine; run 10–15 minutes so treated fuel reaches the carb/injectors.
- Pull batteries (or leave on a maintainer) and store in a temperature-stable space.
- Close propane, cover regulator, and vent the interior slightly to prevent moisture buildup.
- Set rodent deterrents in the engine bay, basement, and cabin. Mice destroy RV wiring.
- Cover or store indoors; if outside, use a breathable RV cover and elevate tires off cold concrete or use tire covers.
Notes by rig type
Motorhomes (Class A / B / C)
Chassis maintenance follows the manufacturer's schedule (Ford, Freightliner, Mercedes) — separate from the coach. Track both. Diesel pushers need coolant service, DEF, and fuel filter changes on a longer interval but at higher cost.
Travel trailers & fifth wheels
Bearings, brakes, and tires do most of the killing. Re-torque lugs after wheel service, replace tires by age, and inspect the frame for stress cracks near the pin box or hitch.
Truck campers & vans
Focus on tie-downs, jacks, and roof penetrations. Vans need extra attention on house battery/inverter/solar wiring — heat and vibration loosen connections.
Keep an RV service log (this is where rigs gain value)
A documented service history adds real dollars at resale. Buyers and RV inspectors pay a premium for a rig with photos, receipts, and a maintenance calendar. Log every roof reseal, bearing repack, and winterization in MaintFolio with photos of parts you installed. When you sell, export the PDF service history and hand it to the buyer.
Towing? Pair this with our vehicle service log guide — the tow vehicle deserves the same treatment. On the water instead? See the boat maintenance checklist.
Quick-reference cadence
- Every trip: tires, lights, brakes, propane, fluids, departure walk-around.
- Monthly: roof sealant scan, slide lube, seals, AC filter, generator exercise, detectors.
- Annually: bearings, brakes, water heater flush, fresh-water sanitize, full roof reseal audit.
- Fall: full winterization — drain, antifreeze, batteries, rodent deterrent, cover.
- Every 5–7 years: replace tires by date, propane regulator service, detectors.
Bottom line: RVs don't fail from being used — they fail from sitting neglected between trips. A repeatable checklist, logged with photos and dates, is the single biggest thing you can do to protect the investment. Pre-trip every trip, reseal the roof before it leaks, winterize completely. That's the whole playbook.