With summer around the corner, avid campers are ready to get out and enjoy what nature has to offer. If you own a camper or trailer, it’s time to complete a quick tune up to ensure your vehicle is ready for summer use. While some people may pay to service their camper every year, it’s definitely doable to do it yourself too. Here are six areas to check when it comes to prepping your camper for summer use.
- Service your axle and hubs – One of the most common things you see with camper trailers is someone on the side of the road missing their entire wheel! Grease in the hubs can dry out and if your bearings fail, the entire wheel can come off! This is a dangerous and scary situation. This can be avoided by having your bearings repacked by your local tire shop.
- Inspect tires – Most camper trailers sit most of the year unused. Because they sit, the tires develop flat spots and cracks that can be dangerous. Inspect your camper tires for cracks as well as any flat spots. Flat spots can be avoided by using special tire savers. They’re widely available for under $100.
- Check for mold – If your camper is stored outside or if you put it away when it was wet, you may have some mold to deal with. Fortunately, getting rid of mold in campers is easy if it is just on the surface. More extensive mold issues may require a professional. If you have some surface mold, use a water and bleach solution to spray on and kill the mold. Be careful to not spray surfaces that may be discolored such as upholstery. Check along the bottom of your walls, behind curtains, under the sink or inside cabinets too for dampness. If you find it, leave a fan running over night in the camper while it is open to get circulation through the camper and dry it out.
- Inspect & test your lights – Before you hit the road, always check your lights for functionality. This should be done every time, not just at the beginning of the season.
- Check propane for leaks- Your propane system can become damaged by rodents or simply by your lines drying out or becoming bent. Your best detection for a propane leak is your nose and ears. Also, if you suspect a leak, use a soapy water solution to check your lines if you see any bubbles form from damage or suspected leak. All campers should be equipped with a propane detector for safety. If you suspect a leak, contact your local dealer to fix the issue or unplug your propane until you have time to get it fixed.
- Flush your water system- If you’ve winterized your camper, be sure to flush your potable water system well. The antifreeze in your water lines should be the non-toxic variety using propylene glycol. Regardless, flush the system well and dispose of the antifreeze in a manner consistent with federal and state regulations – not in a drain or stream.
If you are looking for a policy review on your camper, be sure to reach out to Insurance Brokers of Arizona®. A RV policy review allows us to ensure you are getting the best coverage at the best price. We also can add additional coverage if you need it. Contact us today.
It’s now time to enjoy some amazing fall camping excursions, calm boating on the lake or a motorcycle road trip. Each year we’re asked by many of our customers about the possibility to cancel your insurance policies on your summer toys like motorcycles, RVs, boats and ATVs. While you may not be using these alternative vehicles during the fall and winter months, your vehicles may be damaged and insurance claim would need to be opened. If you cancelled your insurance policy, you may be forced to pay for repairs or replacements out-of-pocket. During the cooler months while your toys are parked events can occur that could get expensive without a valid insurance policy.
