Motorhomes are a hugely popular method of holiday travel and have been for generations. In recent years, though, they have found new fans in younger adults looking for a cheaper way to enjoy the holidays.
But there are lots of things for you to think about when investing in motorhomes – not the least of which is their proper care and maintenance. Here are some simple ways you can stay on top of your motorhome’s care and keep your holidays stress-free.
Checking Your Oil
Arguably the most important part of your motorhome isn’t the ‘home’ part, but the ‘motor’ part. Maintaining your cabin is a relatively simple undertaking, with corrosion and leaks simply and easily fixed. But if your motorhome’s motor runs into serious trouble, you could find repairs costly – and perhaps prohibitively so.
One essential way to stay on top of your motorhome engine’s condition is to check the oil regularly and change it semi-regularly. Older oil collects debris from the engine over time, thickening and losing its lubricative qualities. The result is an inefficient engine that runs the risk of failure through friction and tension.
Checking Brake Fluid
Brake fluid is something you will have to monitor much less often than engine oil, but is something you should nonetheless keep an eye on to prevent the likelihood of an accident on the road. Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid with a specific formula, including various additional chemicals designed to stop or slow the corrosion of metal parts in the brake assembly.
The quality of your brake fluid, and the continued efficacy of these additives, can be tested with fluid strips. The colour of the strip will indicate the quality of the fluid, and how soon you should replace it.
Maintaining Electrics
Of course, the motorhome needs to function at rest just as much as it does on the road – and at rest, you will most likely be making use of the power provided by your motorhome’s leisure battery. The leisure battery is designed to supply you with 12VDC, allowing you to charge devices and power low-wattage appliances.
Newer leisure batteries are less susceptible to this, but battery arrays can lose their capacity over time if left empty – and, in some cases, if not charged fully during a charging session. You should ensure your battery is full when left for extended periods of time. If your battery obtains an ‘eggy’ smell, this indicates off-gassing from overcharging.
‘Winterising’ with Antifreeze
Lastly, putting your motorhome to bed for the winter means more than just evaluating the engine every now and then. The plumbing system runs the risk of damage from freeze-thaw weathering, necessitating a winterisation process wherein the pipes are flushed with antifreeze. You need to ensure you are properly bypassing your water heater to do this safely, mind.
Don’t let any technical hiccups put a pothole in your motorhome holiday – maintaining your working knowledge of the ins and outs of your vehicle will help to provide a safe and stress free holiday for you and your family.