A Handy Guide to Motorhome Maintenance
When you hire a luxury motorhome from Priory Rentals, all you need to do is load up and go, our motorhomes are all new models and are meticulously maintained for as long as we have them. If you have a motorhome of your own, perhaps you’ve bought an ex-rental motorhome from us, you’ll need to take care of your investment in order to keep it in the best possible condition so that it can continue to bring you joy and adventure for many years to come.
While some aspects of motorhome maintenance may require a mechanic or other tradesperson, many of the basic day to day tasks can be done by the owner. Look after your motorhome and it’ll reward you with trouble free travel and wonderful memories.
How to look after your motorhome
- Keep your motorhome clean – Your motorhome is likely your pride and joy, so it’s unlikely you’ll let it stay dirty for long, but keeping your motorhome clean also serves to remove substances like salt, sap, bird droppings and other deposits which might damage the bodywork of your motorhome and also allows you to spot any other damage which might have occurred while your motorhome was parked.
- Check for leaks – Water ingress is the enemy of motorhomes, so checking for leaks is an important part of motorhome maintenance. Once damp gets in it can cause all manner of problems, so make sure all the window and door seals are sound and also inspect the bodywork for damage which might allow water to creep in. Consider getting someone to sit inside the motorhome while you spray it with a hosepipe so that they can look for telltale leaks.
- Lookout for Damp – If the windows or perhaps some of the internal liquid storage tanks have leaked, there will be signs to watch out for. Damp or musty smells, watermarks or patches of mould all point to the presence of internal moisture. This could simply indicate that the motorhome needs to be aired now and better ventilated in the future or it could point to something more serious, so make sure you identify the source.
- Clean your liquid storage tanks – Your motorhome stores fresh water, grey water and there’s also the toilet cassette to consider. These will need to be cleaned and sanitised regularly and especially so if your motorhome is going to be unused for a while, or if it’s going to be used after a long period of inaction.
- Electrical Systems – In addition to all the usual vehicular electrical systems, make sure you regularly check the function of the leisure battery, the wiring and all the sockets, lights and appliances in the living area. If your motorhome is going to be unused for a period, charge up the leisure battery every month or two to keep it working at peak efficiency.
- Gas Systems – As with gas in your house, leaks can be very dangerous, so never ignore a gas smell. Check all the gas taps on the bottle, gas heater and the cooker fully switch off and check the condition of all gas hoses regularly. There will be gas exhaust vents on the outside of your motorhome, so make sure these don’t get blocked by leaves, insects or debris.
- Fire Safety – Regularly test your smoke alarm and CO2 detectors are working properly. If you have an extinguisher, make sure that this is full and functional.
- Mechanical systems – It goes without saying, but the mechanical underpinnings of your motorhome will need servicing and annual MOT inspections in order to run smoothly and stay road legal. Pay particular attention to tyre tread and tyre pressure and the usual ‘under the bonnet’ fluid levels.
- Road tax and Insurance – Similarly, while not strictly motorhome maintenance, don’t forget that as with any motor vehicle, your motorhome will need to be insured and either road tax paid or SORN declared. (If you declare SORN while you’re not using your motorhome, don’t forget to get road tax before taking it back on the road).
Look after your motorhome and it’ll look after you
Whether hired or owned, motorhomes are a joy when everything works as it should, but an ageing motorhome which hasn’t been looked after will eventually start to suffer and in turn, frustrate its owner when things inevitably start to go wrong. Bear this in mind if you’re thinking about buying a ‘cheap’ motorhome from the local classifieds, you may be getting more than you bargained for and end up paying more one way or another. A safer option is to invest in a newer, well-maintained model from a reputable dealer or, in our case, a nearly new ex-rental model which has been scrupulously taken care of.
Check out our latest ex-rental motorhomes for sale and speak to us about trying one out, we can even help with finance. But be quick, what’s for sale today might be sold tomorrow, so don’t miss out!
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