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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.