Maintenance is an unavoidable part of keeping your RV in good condition. It takes some effort, but it allows you to continue visiting your favorite campsites around Colorado and beyond. While you do need to spend some time and money caring for your RV, there are measures you can take to avoid extremely expensive, extensive repairs in many cases. Here are cost-effective RV maintenance tips to keep in mind.

Turn on the Generator

Although a regular home’s electricity is brought to you by an electric company, your RV must make its own electricity since it isn’t connected to external power supplies most of the time. This is why the RV generator is so important to look after. Most of the time, the generator uses gasoline as fuel to power your onboard appliances and outlets. When it’s left unused for too long, the gasoline will start to deteriorate and gunk up its insides, stopping it from working properly. Turning on the generator every month will divert the possibility of major damage and save you the headache of bringing it to a repair shop or having to replace it completely.

Cover the Roof

Since the roof is the section of the RV that is simultaneously closest to the elements and farthest from your line of sight, it is prone to unnoticed degradation. Before you know it, your roof’s integrity has been compromised and you need to shell out for a costly overhaul. If you spend most of your time away from the RV and only use it for trips, you should invest in an RV carport or an RV cover to protect it when it is parked. If you live in your RV full-time, on the other hand, you should routinely clean the roof every so often. This way, you’ll not only lessen the buildup of dirt up there, but you’ll also spot problems quickly before they become bigger.

Maintain the Water Tanks

Unless you don’t mind a nonfunctional kitchen sink and restroom, you should pay attention to your water tanks and the pipes that connect them to your RV’s interior. Check that there aren’t any leaks and clean them regularly to ensure that you don’t end up with a nasty mess on your hands. By using RV-friendly toilet paper that breaks down inside the tanks and using the right chemicals to kill bacteria, they should remain in good shape. If you use your RV in the winter here in Colorado, you’ll also need tank and pipe heaters to prevent the liquids in the holding tanks from freezing and bursting. Overlooking this precaution could end up costing you a lot to fix after the damage has already been done.