RV trips are a perfect way to explore new destinations and bond with your favorite people while traveling. However, even a minor mechanical issue can ruin your experience, which is why you’ll want to account for as many possible challenges as you can while you’re preparing for your outing. To help you get started, our experts at River City RV have created this guide. Keep reading to learn more, and if you need more advice, swing by our dealership in Grants Pass, OR, where we welcome our friends from Medford.
Inspect Your Rig Ahead of Time
The best way to handle roadside emergencies is to prevent them from happening in the first place. So, you’ll want to inspect your rig before you hit the road. Doing this can help you make sure your vehicle is ready for your trip, and if there are any hidden problems, you’ll likely identify and fix them before they turn into safety hazards.
You’ll want to perform a thorough inspection of your rig, including the tires, braking system, electrical components, and lights. You can even get a trained mechanic to inspect your vehicle before your trip.
Roadside Assistance
Tackling the more critical repairs for your rig might not be feasible simply using your toolkit. Also, you won’t want to waste your precious time figuring out how to fix a part. For more complex repairs, you’ll need to rely on a trustworthy service that offers roadside assistance.
So, before you pull away from home, have a roadside emergency number that you can call. Even seasoned RVers never leave home without having a roadside assistance company that they can seek help from in an emergency.
Budget for Emergencies
Even if you are sure that you can handle a repair yourself, it’s wise to let a professional technician double-check the part after you’ve repaired or replaced it. This will ensure you’ve fixed it correctly and your rig is ready to go the distance.
However, any professional services will likely cost you some money. That’s why we recommend that you include emergency repairs in your budget, so you can visit a mechanic without having to cut your trip short.
Bring the Right Tools
Now that you have taken care of all the other aspects, it’s time to gather the right gear.
You’ll want to include the fundamental tools like duct tape, spare tires, and jacks, and add a few pieces of essential equipment, such as a hacksaw, side cutter pliers, vice grips, wire strippers, and other items for electrical fixes. Refer to your owner’s manual to ensure you also bring in any tools specific to your RV. It is the best resource to look up information about the products you should or shouldn’t use on your rig, such as certain nuts and bolts or chemical solutions for cleaning your rig.
We hope you don’t have to make any roadside repairs, but if you do, these tips will help you get your RV back on the road as quickly as possible. For more maintenance advice, don’t hesitate to call our experts at River City RV. Our professional staff can look at your camper and provide you with the assistance you need to fix issues and optimize its performance, too. We are in Grants Pass, OR, where we proudly serve those from Medford, so stop by today.