Not sure how to look after your motorhome?

Fear not! We've got you covered in this guide.


The Ultimate Guide To Looking After Your Motorhome

A motorhome is the ultimate way to experience all the beauty of Australia, all while feeling like you never really left home. However, a motorhome is a big investment, and so it’s important to know how to take care of it so it can be the perfect home-away-from-home for years to come.

While you may know a thing or two about taking care of a vehicle, there are some additional considerations when taking care of your motorhome. Things like knowing how to store it when you're not travelling, what parts need to be maintained, as well as how often to service your motorhome, are just some of the things you will need to know as a motorhome owner. 

 

Fear not! Whether you’re new to motorhome ownership or a seasoned pro looking for a handy maintenance checklist, KEA has you covered. We’ve put together this ultimate guide to looking after your motorhome so you can keep your RV in top condition. 

 

Benefits of looking after your motorhome properly

 

There are so many benefits to looking after your motorhome properly. Firstly, a motorhome is an investment that can be enjoyed for years to come, if you take care of it. You can save yourself expensive repairs down the line by regularly checking and cleaning your vehicle and catching any issues as they are forming. Taking the time to check everything is clean, tidy and in working order will make your road trips even more enjoyable and give you the certainty that your trip will go smoothly. There’s nothing worse than a breakdown that could have been avoided with a quick check. 

 

Taking the proper steps to care for your motorhome also increases and maintains the resale value, allowing you to sell it once you have finished your adventures or are ready to upgrade. 



Regularly check your motorhome

 

Whether you intend to travel full time or use your motorhome for holiday adventures in comfort, it is important to regularly check your motorhome. If you’re not using your motorhome for long periods, it is especially important to keep up the general maintenance. This will allow you the freedom to plan your holidays with the certainty that your motorhome will be in great condition when you’re ready to go. 

 

General vehicle/mechanical things to check on your motorhome:

 

  • Check oil every 6 months.
  • Check water, coolant, windscreen washer, and auto transmission levels. 
  • Check the tyre pressure, particularly before extended travel to help save excessive tyre wear. 
  • Don’t forget the spare wheel, wherever it might be stored. 
  • Windscreen wipers also need to be changed regularly, although most of us usually get a warning in the form of a smeary windscreen!

 

Things to check on the exterior of your motorhome:

 

  • Check vents to make sure they are free of dust, dirt, and insects.
  • Check underneath for anything hanging down or loose.
  • Look at all the lights (road and house) to make sure they are working correctly.
  • Check if the electricals (batteries, chargers, inverters, solar panels, and generators) are all connected and working properly.
  • Inspect all electrical power cords, particularly those used outside.
  • Check the awning to make sure the extending and contracting motion is operating smoothly as well as check for signs of damage. 
  • Check for cracks, dents, and scratches on the chassis as these can lead to rust.

 

Things to check on the interior of your motorhome:

 

  • Wash curtains and seat covers.
  • Damp check inside cupboards and hard to get at/dark places around the ceiling areas.
  • Check doors/drawers open and shut properly.
  • Review smoke alarm and gas detector function.
  • Check bathroom and kitchen areas for leaks inside cupboards.
  • Drain the fresh, grey, and black water tank lines, and regularly check/clean the tanks to avoid bacteria build-up.

 

Know when to get your motorhome serviced

 

 

You should look to get your motorhome professionally serviced every six months, or every 10,000km (whichever comes first). It is recommended to get your motorhome serviced by a specialist motorhome expert as they are guaranteed to have the experience and facilities to handle servicing large vehicles, and the additional detailing required of motorhomes. 

 

Regular servicing and inspection is essential for the early detection of low-grade issues, and may well prevent them from evolving into unnecessarily expensive or time-consuming problems. It also gives you time to get quotes and organise the most appropriate time for repairs.

 

A great rule of thumb is to book your service before summer and again before winter. This is a simple way to remember to regularly check your motorhome and ensure that you have the peace of mind that your motorhome is in the best shape for your travels. 

 

Things to ask your servicing professional about:

 

  • Engine maintenance and tuning.
  • Electrical and gas systems work.
  • Warranty work.
  • Anything you don’t understand.

 

 

Registration

 

Each state has their own registration guidelines and how often you must fulfil these to register your vehicle. As such, refer to those outlined by the state in which your motorhome is registered:

 

New South Wales 

Queensland 

Northern Territory 

Australian Capital Territory

Western Australia 

Tasmania 

South Australia 

Victoria 

 

Leak prevention maintenance

 

 

Prevention is key when it comes to water and gas leaks. Keeping a regular eye on these can help with early detection and mitigate any major issues.

 

While gas can usually be smelled, it's important to ensure your gas detector is working properly and replaced regularly as advised by the distributor. Just like a regular house, pipes and seals can wear over time. However, as your motorhome moves, its seals (especially those around the windows and doors) can deteriorate more quickly. As such, it's important to be in the habit of checking and maintaining these. 

 

Areas to check for leaks:

 

  • Check inside cupboards or lockers where water may pool.
  • Check external pipes and tanks for drips.
  • Ensure door seals are in good condition.
  • Check window seals and hatches for wear on the joins and replace or maintain these as necessary.



Keep your motorhome clean

 

 

Like a house, regularly cleaning and keeping your motorhome tidy will ensure it stays in great condition. However, unlike a house, your motorhome will be travelling with you to the beachside and out into the dusty red outback and is bound to get a little dirty. Giving it a thorough clean will mean keeping it in tip-top shape for the next time you use it.

 

Areas to clean regularly:

 

  • Ensure the fridge is emptied and cleaned out at the end of every trip

Emptying your fridge and giving it a quick wipe down at the end of every trip is a great way to keep it fresh for each time you use it. If you only use it for holidays at certain times of the year, you may want to consider turning off the fridge and defrosting it. When doing so, make sure you leave the door open with a bucket or towel beneath to prevent any water damage to the floor. 

  • Keep on top of waste management

On top of emptying the tank regularly, it’s good to do a thorough clean of the bowl as well as the cassette every month or so. These toilets can last a long time with proper care (not to mention it will keep it smelling great for when you use it). Check out our guide on disposing of RV waste for more details.  

  • Clean the bathroom thoroughly and air out to avoid dampness and mildew

If you have a shower area inside, it’s a good idea to give it time to dry out before storing your motorhome between getaways. This will prevent any mildew or mould from growing in this wet area. 

  • Wash the outside of the vehicle

If you’re travelling near the coast or live in a coastal town, it's especially important to wash your motorhome regularly. This can prevent the salt from interacting with any small scratches on the chassis to cause rust. When you do so, make sure to hose down your motorhome first to avoid rubbing any grit and scratching the surface. 

  • Use a tank cleaner to improve the longevity of your tanks

Cleaning your tanks with a commercial grade cleaner is one of the best ways to maintain a fresh-smelling motorhome. Do this at the end of each trip or every month or two, to keep the tanks in good condition.

 

Ready for your next adventure?

 

If you already have your motorhome and are looking for a local dealer to help you stay on top of servicing your motorhome, be sure to ask your local KEA dealer about servicing options available. 

 

If you’re still searching for the perfect motorhome for your adventures, check out the KEA website to see the range of motorhomes for sale including KEA ex-rental campervans for sale. 

 

Have more questions? Feel free to stop by a KEA certified dealership to chat with one of our RV experts. They are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to campervans and motorhomes. They will happily answer any questions you may have regarding RV buying tips, RV maintenance, price of campervans, as well as give you a walk-through of the motorhomes for sale and the different campervan conversions on-site.