Maintenance schedule?

[GingerAZ]

Hello,

Do travel trailers have a regular maintenance schedule (like cars), or do they just need something like an annual check-up?

Any suggestions on finding a reputable service provider?

Thank you
- Ginger

[parkerbill]

Camping World told me on the new trailer we bought from them that they suggested 12,000 miles for a check, etc.

[jesilvas]

You have to check all the sealant on the roof and sides every few months, wash it, treat rubber roofs, wax it if you want it to look brand new forever, have bearings and brakes checked every couple years along with all suspension, keep tires aired up, turn on appliances every month at least to keep out bugs, and on and on.

[TDI-Minnie]

Originally Posted by parkerbill

Camping World told me on the new trailer we bought from them that they suggested 12,000 miles for a check, etc.

Wow!
That's rediculouse. If nothing else, you should grease the wheel bearings on day-one and adjust the brakes after the first thousand miles.
Check the tire pressure on EVERY outing.
Wash it regularly, wash the roof every other time.
Drain the water heater a couple times a season the get the scale out.
Sanitize the water tank 2-3 times a year.
Defrost and dry the fridge thoroughly prior to storage so it's not a mold box on your next trip.
Clean the dust filter on the AC intake every so often. I do it as needed, but 2 times a season is minimum.
Disconnect the battery anytime you park it for more than a week, or you'll be buying a new one soon.

Winterize before first freeze!

[TDI-Minnie]

Originally Posted by GingerAZ

Any suggestions on finding a reputable service provider?

Thank you
- Ginger

The best service provider is you. Many of the things the trailer needs are easy DIY stuff. A few things like wheel bearing grease and adjusting the brakes requires some basic skills and cheap tools.

YouTube is your friend. There are thousands of how-to videos on every aspect of RV maintenance. Then you can decide if you want to take them on yourslef, or pay someone.

[parkerbill]

Originally Posted by TDI-Minnie

Wow!

That's rediculouse. If nothing else, you should grease the wheel bearings on day-one and adjust the brakes after the first thousand miles.

Check the tire pressure on EVERY outing.

Wash it regularly, wash the roof every other time.

Drain the water heater a couple times a season the get the scale out.

Sanitize the water tank 2-3 times a year.

Defrost and dry the fridge thoroughly prior to storage so it's not a mold box on your next trip.

Clean the dust filter on the AC intake every so often. I do it as needed, but 2 times a season is minimum.

Disconnect the battery anytime you park it for more than a week, or you'll be buying a new one soon.



Winterize before first freeze!

I think I gave the wrong impression. The dealer did discuss greasing the wheel bearings, checking the lug nut torque and a bunch of other stuff. I think the 12,000 mile check was meant more to be having the "professionals" check it over thoroughly and/or do any maintenance I wasn't comfortable doing. Two things: 1) they stressed not over doing it with the grease gun and one thing I really doubt, told me the tires are nitrogen filled and needed no maintenance. I do have a question—since I don't have a spare tank of nitrogen in my garage what do I do if I check pressure and it's low? According to tirerack.com I should just put regular air in them.

[KT4Wextra]

Originally Posted by parkerbill

one thing I really doubt, told me the tires are nitrogen filled and needed no maintenance. I do have a question—since I don't have a spare tank of nitrogen in my garage what do I do if I check pressure and it's low? According to tirerack.com I should just put regular air in them.

Normal atmosphere is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and the rest moisture. The thing you want to reduce is the moisture so either have a moisture separator on your air supply or pick a low humidity day. Check your air supply by pressing the air chuck before you air your tire to see if you get any water out of the hose. If so don't use it. Pure nitrogen is more stable but unless you purge the existing air out by cycling the fill process at least 3 times when the tire is being mounted there is not that much nitrogen in the tire. I doubt that the original installer of the tire did that. Not that nitrogen isn't preferred, just that I think people being sold on the idea that you should only fill with it. To do it properly is time consuming. Normal air refill won't hurt a thing.

[TDI-Minnie]

Wheeler bearings need grease. They are often under packed (or minimally) from the factory.
I was able the get almost a whole tube of grease into mine.
You do have to do it right... jack up the wheel and spin it. And do it when warm. Otherwise you risk blowing out the seal in the back and greasing your brake.
Wheel bearing failures are pretty common on new trailers.

[parkerbill]

Good info. Thanks!