Prevention Is Always Cheaper Than Repair
Most of the expensive RV repairs we perform — water damage from failed roof sealant, freeze damage from inadequate winterization, blown AC capacitors, dead generator carburetors — could have been prevented or caught early with an annual maintenance visit. A roof sealant crack found in May costs $50 to re-seal. The same crack found 18 months later, after rain has rotted the subfloor and delaminated the sidewall, costs $3,000 to repair. The math is simple: annual maintenance pays for itself many times over in avoided repairs.
Services We Provide
1 Roof & Exterior Seal Inspection
We walk the entire roof, inspecting every sealant joint around vents, the AC unit, antenna, refrigerator vent, and roof edges. We check window and door sealant on the sidewalls. Any cracked, shrunken, or missing sealant is re-sealed on the spot. This single step prevents the majority of water damage cases we see.
2 Plumbing System Test
We pressurize the freshwater system and check every connection for leaks. We inspect the water heater anode rod and recommend replacement if it is more than 75% consumed. We test the water pump, check toilet operation, and inspect holding tank valves. If winterization is approaching, we discuss scheduling.
3 Electrical System Check
We load-test the house battery, check converter/charger output, test all 12V circuits, check shore power connections and GFCI operation, and inspect the breaker panel. We also check battery terminal connections for corrosion — the number one cause of intermittent electrical problems.
4 Propane Leak-Down Test
We pressurize the LP gas system and monitor for pressure drop per NFPA 1192 standards. We inspect the regulator, pigtail hoses, and tank valve condition. We test the LP gas detector for proper function and check its manufacture date — detectors older than 5-7 years should be replaced.
5 Appliance Function Check
We start and test every propane appliance — furnace, water heater (gas and electric), refrigerator (gas and electric), and stove. We also test the air conditioner, microwave, and any other installed appliances. Catching a failed thermocouple or a dirty burner now prevents a cold night or a warm fridge on your first trip.
6 Running Gear Inspection
We inspect tires for age (DOT date code), tread depth, and sidewall condition. We check brake condition, suspension components, and wheel bearing play. We verify breakaway switch and battery function. We inspect hitch components for wear. This catches safety-critical issues before they become road emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an annual RV maintenance service include?
Our annual maintenance covers roof and exterior sealant inspection, plumbing system pressure test, water heater anode rod check, battery load test, converter/charger output test, propane leak-down test, LP detector function check, functional testing of all appliances (furnace, water heater, AC, refrigerator, stove), tire age and condition assessment, brake inspection, and suspension check. You receive a written report of findings and recommendations.
How long does the annual maintenance service take?
A comprehensive annual maintenance visit takes approximately 3 to 4 hours for a travel trailer or fifth wheel, and 4 to 5 hours for a motorhome (which includes engine and drivetrain checks). We schedule a full half-day so we are not rushed — the purpose is thoroughness, not speed.
When is the best time to schedule annual maintenance?
Early spring — March or April — is ideal. This gives us time to address any issues found before the camping season starts in May. It also catches any damage that occurred during winter storage. If you also want winterization service, we offer fall maintenance visits in October that combine the annual checkup with winterization.
How much does annual RV maintenance cost?
Our annual maintenance service is priced as a flat-rate visit. Contact us for current pricing. The cost is typically a fraction of any single repair that the inspection might prevent — a $200 maintenance visit that finds a $50 sealant crack saves you a $3,000 water damage repair down the road.
I just bought a used RV. Should I get a maintenance service?
Absolutely. If the RV was not inspected before purchase, an annual maintenance visit is essential. Many used RVs are sold with deferred maintenance — expired anode rods, cracked sealant, low propane pressure, weak batteries, and aged tires. We treat a first-visit maintenance service as a thorough baseline assessment and address everything that needs attention.