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Maintenance 101 As with any vehicle, regular maintenance and systematic checking is critical to keeping your RV in good running order. Fluids, Filters and Battery A primary element of RV maintenance is regularly checking fluid levels, including engine oil, brake fluid, engine coolant, transmission fluid and power steering fluid. Make it part of your pre-trip routine to check these important fluids and top off any that are low. It's also a good idea to check these fluids on a monthly basis if you haven't used your RV lately or if it is in storage. While you're at it, also check the battery to make sure it is free of corrosion and has an adequate water level (if is not a maintenance-battery) and the air filter to make sure it's clean. Fluids and filters should be regularly changed. Check your RV owner's manual for its maintenance requirements and schedule. Exterior Inspection As part of your pre-trip routine also examine the RV's exterior. Inspect the body and roof of your RV for any separation or cracks. If you have a towable RV, inspect the hitch system for cracks, general wear or loose bolts. Check the tire pressure while also looking for cracks, uneven wear and any objects stuck in the tire that could create a leak. Make sure the lug nuts are tight on both inner and outer wheels. And, don't forget the spare tire! Look underneath the RV, taking a deep breath to see if you smell gasoline, diesel or LP gas. If you do, shut down all pilot lights and get professional help Also check for leaking fluids. If you discover a leak, move the RV and check again, noting the color and location of the leak in relationship to the RV. Have a certified RV technician at a dealer or service center inspect the vehicle if there is a leak. Be sure to relay the information about the color of the leaking fluid and the location of the leak. These are some helpful hints that any RVer, regardless of mechanical ability, can do to help maintain the vehicle and ensure that each trip starts out on the right note. The vehicle's owners manual should provide more detailed information and maintenance schedules. RVIA also has a number of enthusiast publications that provide more in-depth information on a wide range of RV topics, including maintenance. Click here for a catalog of helpful RVIA publications and videos. Full-Timing: Year Round RVing A growing number of Americans are choosing to enjoy the freedom of their retirement years by taking to the road full-time in their RVs -- living and traveling in their vehicle year round. For them, home is where they park it and the open road is always calling. Although some full-timers prefer to settle down in campgrounds that are specially designed for the needs of senior citizens, others follow the sun and still others stay restlessly on the go. This summer it’s Alaska, then down to Southern California for the winter, east to Virginia for Civil War re-enactments in spring and summer, Vermont for the fall color, then a beeline south to the Florida Keys for the winter. For these retirees, full-time RV living also means full-time travel. An anthropological study of retired RVers conducted by Drs. Dorothy and David Counts, both college anthropology professors, revealed positive news for those leading this lifestyle. After extensive research, they found that people who traveled via RV were healthier both physically and mentally than they would be if they led more sedentary lives. The Counts attribute these health benefits to the physical activity, the constant exposure to new people, places and events, and the great sense of freedom associated with RV travel. Their study identified three conditions of successful full RVing: control of one’s life, interesting and challenging things to do, and friends outside the family. Here are some reasons seniors why seniors choose the full-time RVing lifestyle:
1. How to Decide on the Type of RV and Things to Consider
2. Checklists & Procedures
3. Weighing your RV & Weigh Stations
4a. Fifth Wheel Hitches and Sliders
4b. Weight Distribution Hitches
5. Brake controllers
6. Tire Pressure
7. Dually Inflation 8. Valve Extenders 9. Tire Pressure Monitors 10. Air Compressors (often discussed under tire pressure) 11. Wal*Mart and Other Free Camping
12. Black Streaks and How to Remove Them
There is a Part II to the FAQ - please see the next posting. -LL Last updated: * This post was last edited 06/24/06 07:43pm by LLeopold * View edit history LLeopold  Camarillo, CA USA Moderator Joined: 06/19/2001 View Profile 
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Frequently Asked Questions (Part II) 13. Should I camp at Fort Wilderness and Other Disney Camping?
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