Stop Guessing. Start Maintaining.
Most RV problems don't happen suddenly. They build over months — a small roof crack that lets in a trickle of water, a battery that's slowly losing capacity, a seal around a slide that's been drying out since last summer. By the time you notice something's wrong, what would have been a $75 fix has turned into a $2,000 repair.
The solution is simple: a maintenance schedule you actually follow. Not a vague checklist you find online and forget about — a real, seasonal plan based on how RVs actually fail, what they need when, and what the consequences are if you skip it.
This is that schedule. We've built it based on 8+ years of mobile RV repair across Grafton, Milwaukee, Mequon, Cedarburg, and the rest of SE Wisconsin. Every item on this list is something we've seen go wrong when it wasn't done.
Before Every Trip
- Roof inspection: Walk the roof and check all seams, seals, and penetrations (vents, AC base, antennas). Look for cracks, gaps, or bubbling. Five minutes now can prevent thousands in water damage later.
- Tire pressure and condition: Check pressure when cold. Inspect sidewalls for cracking or bulging. RV tires age out regardless of tread — replace at 5-7 years even if they look fine.
- Battery check: Test voltage (12.6V+ = full charge). Check connections for corrosion. If you're on a battery monitor, verify it's reading correctly.
- Lights and signals: Running lights, brake lights, turn signals, reverse lights. A 2-minute walk-around.
- Hitch and connection: Ball mount torque, coupler latch, safety chains, 7-pin connector. Don't rush this.
- Propane system: Sniff test at connections. Check regulator date (replace every 10 years). Verify all appliances light correctly.
- Water system: Run all faucets, check under the sink and around the water heater for drips. Check the water heater anode rod if you haven't recently.
Monthly (During Travel Season)
- Slide-out seals and lubrication: Wipe down slide seals with a rubber conditioner. Inspect for tears or compression failure. Lubricate slide mechanisms per manufacturer spec.
- Awning operation: Extend and retract. Check for fabric tears, fraying, or water pooling (a sign the pitch is wrong). Inspect the roller tube end caps.
- Generator: Run it under load for 2 hours minimum if you're not using it regularly. Change oil at 100 hours or annually, whichever comes first.
- Fresh, gray, and black tanks: Rinse black tank thoroughly. Check level sensors for accuracy. Inspect dump valve for leaks.
- All interior appliances: Refrigerator (check door seals), microwave, range burners, furnace ignition. Document anything that's not performing right.
Spring Startup (De-Winterization)
- Flush antifreeze from all water lines (run every tap until clear)
- Reinstall water heater bypass valve to normal position
- Reinstall or reconnect batteries (check charge, clean terminals)
- Inspect and replace any roof seals that cracked over winter
- Check all propane connections — cold can cause fittings to shift
- Test smoke, CO, and LP gas detectors — replace if they're 5+ years old
- Inspect brake system (trailer brakes, electric breakaway switch)
- Lubricate all hinges, locks, and moving parts
- Check slide-out alignment — winter settling can cause issues
Fall Winterization
- Drain all water from fresh tank, water heater, and lines
- Blow out lines with compressed air OR add RV antifreeze — do both if you're uncertain
- Bypass water heater before adding antifreeze
- Protect tires from UV and flat-spotting (tire covers, move the rig if stored long-term)
- Disconnect or remove batteries — store on a trickle charger
- Cover all roof vents and exterior openings (mice are real in Wisconsin)
- Leave interior cabinet doors open to prevent moisture buildup
- Record mileage and engine hours if motorized
- Document all open maintenance items before storing
Annual Service Items
- Roof recoating: Every 1-3 years depending on roof material (rubber/EPDM, fiberglass, TPO). Don't skip this.
- Wheel bearing inspection and repack: Annual for towables. Critical if you do highway miles.
- Brake adjustment and inspection: Electric trailer brakes wear unevenly. Check shoe thickness and magnet condition.
- LP system pressure test: A certified tech should perform this annually on any rig that runs propane appliances.
- Leveling system service: Hydraulic fluid check, jack alignment, and cleaning on auto-leveling systems.
- AC coil cleaning: Both evaporator and condenser. A dirty coil runs harder and fails faster in Wisconsin summers.
The One Thing Most RV Owners Skip
Roof seals. Every year, they should be inspected and resealed wherever needed. The materials degrade, the rig flexes on the road, and UV does what UV does. A $20 tube of Dicor and an hour of your time prevents the most common and most expensive RV repair there is: water damage.
If you're not comfortable on your roof, that's okay. That's what we're here for.
We Come to You
Pals By Design handles all of these service items — from de-winterization to full annual service packages — at your driveway, storage lot, or campsite. We serve Grafton, Milwaukee, Mequon, Cedarburg, Port Washington, West Bend, and all of Ozaukee County.
Call us at (262) 302-5844 or request service online.
Related reading: RV Types Explained | Wisconsin RV Winterization Guide | RV Appliance Troubleshooting Guide