Caring For a Recreational Vehicle Or Motorhome

By Kevin R. Keen

Maintaining and caring for an RV or motorhome, when done on a regular basis, can add years of enjoyment as well as preserve the value of what is most often a large investment. Irregular use of an RV of motorhome and being parked in one spot for extended periods of time raise the importance of maintenance and care so that the vehicle is ready to operate at its best when called into action. Beginning with caring for an RV or motorhome:

* Providing care for an RV or motorhome starts with the purchase of a cover or carport to protect both the interior and exterior from the elements. While severe weather can definitely be a factor in wear, tear, and damage to a vehicle, these events tend to be relatively isolated. The one element that every vehicle must be protected from is the sun. Heat and harmful UV rays can age both the interior and exterior of an RV or motorhome in a short period of time. While the direct sunlight fades the exterior, the interior can reach an oven-like temperature, which damages surfaces that receive direct sunlight through windows and leads to cracking of laminates and plastics, in particular. In fact, on days when outside temperatures outside reach into the nineties, interior temperatures on an RV or motorhome can approach two hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Considering that water boils at 212 degrees, it's easy to see how all aspects of the coach can suffer under regular exposure to warm temperatures.

* Optimal protection can be provided with the purchase of a fully enclosed metal RV carport. Carport designs have come a long way since their beginnings, and options abound now for getting an RV out of the elements, as well as providing other benefits such as added work, play, and family space. Protecting a vehicle inside an enclosed carport also minimizes other care tasks such as washing, cleaning off of bird droppings, and the removal of tree sap.

Maintenance:

* Be sure to change the fuel filter on a regular basis. A clean filter will maximize fuel flow to the engine, lighten the load for the fuel pump, and prevent the expense of repairing clogged fuel injectors.

* Check the oxygen sensors. On older coaches especially, oxygen sensors can gradually wear down without setting off the "check engine" light. Power and fuel mileage can suffer and make the vehicle work harder than it needs to.

* Replace air filters when necessary.

* Change the brake fluid regularly. This is regularly overlooked but brake fluid, especially over extended periods of inactivity, can absorb water which reduces its boiling point and can render the brakes useless. High boiling point brake fluid recommended by the manufacturer should be added at the beginning of each driving season to ensure optimal safety.

* Change the oil. Oil starts losing its effectiveness when it's left pooled in an un-driven coach. Changing the oil at the same time as the brake fluid is a great habit to develop.

Keeping an RV or motorhome looking and running like new may require a little time and money but considering the size of the initial investment, the described actions are well worth it.

About the Author:

For more information on enclosed metal carports and other tips on caring for an RV, visit us at: rel=nofollow RV Covers.  We offer the most affordable solutions for a RV carport or steel RV cover. With thousands of possible combinations, RV Carports Direct can install a durable steel cover that will meet your specific needs and will protect your valuables for years to come. Regardless of size, we can customize the length, width and height of any of our popular models to accommodate your requirements for a motorhome carport that will be used as a single vehicle or multiple vehicle cover.