This month we are continuing on from part 1 of our look at the most common motorhome mishaps that befall many a motorhome owner.

These simple oversights can lead to costly repairs and unnecessary damage, and the team here at Glenns want to make sure that you know exactly what to look out for so you don’t end up making the same mistakes.

Not Checking For Water Damage Often Enough

Water leakage can be the source of significant damage to any motorhome. They can be hard to spot and will only get worse over time, so you can’t afford to let leaks go unnoticed for an extended period of time.

The best way to prevent water damage from ravaging the roof, walls and floor of your motorhome is to conduct regular, thorough inspections. All roof and body seams and any sealant around openings and joints should be checked – windows, vents and sunroofs are common suspects. Reseal any seams or sealants that show signs of damage, wear, cracks or separation to strengthen your motorhome against water damage from storms or heavy rain.

Also check the sink, taps and plumbing of your motorhome for signs of leaks and make repairs accordingly.

Not Regularly Performing Safety Checks

As we detailed in part one, performing the simple routine checks around your motorhome can be an easy thing to forget – and might feel like an unnecessary waste of time if you’re eager to get out on the road. But getting into the habit of performing routine safety checks can save you a lot of trouble in the long run, so it is definitely worth taking seriously.

A motorhome can go for seasons without use, locked away in storage, and things like dry-cell batteries may not work the next time you take it out for a ride. It’s easy to not bother checking batteries for smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and LP-gas leak detectors, but it is just as easy to perform routine checks on the devices prior to each trip.

The few minutes it takes can end up being critical if you find that the devices have stopped performing since the last trip, and replacement batteries are inexpensive and abundant so make sure to replace them as soon as you can. If you took the batteries out while the motorhome stayed in storage, remember to reinstall them before you set off.

You will also want to check things like the fire extinguisher. If it reads empty, refill it, and if it’s been awhile since you last used one – or you’ve forgotten how to operate one, familiarise yourself with the instructions printed on the side.

Make sure the electrics are all in safe working order and that the hob is safe to operate too. You can make the whole process more efficient by combining your safety checks with the pre-departure checks we outlined during the first part of our guide.

Neglecting The Water System

Not giving the right care and attention to the water system of your motorhome can lead to unsanitary drinking water and an easily identifiable stale odor permeating throughout your motorhome. If you know you aren’t planning to use your motorhome for a while, drain the entire water system to prevent it getting stale and musty. You should drain the water heater, fresh water holding tank and the low-point water drains.

If you forget to drain the water system and you notice the stale odor, you can still rectify the situation. You just need to sanitise the water system, this can be done by following these steps:

• Drain all the old water from the water system then close all the drains
• Take a quarter cup of household bleach for every 15 gallons of water your fresh water tank can hold
• Mix the bleach into a one gallon container and pour it into the fresh water tank
• Fill the fresh water tank completely with water
• Turn the water pump on
• Open all hot and cold taps and run the water until you smell the bleach at each tap
• Close the taps and let the tank sit for around 12 hours
• Drain the entire system and refill the fresh water tank with drinking water
• Run the taps until the smell of bleach has gone.

You might have to repeat the last two steps to eliminate all signs of bleach from the system.

If you don’t feel comfortable in performing any of these steps, Glenns will happily perform maintenance for your motorhome to get everything back into perfect, safe condition.

Glenns Motorhomes offers a fantastic range of motorhomes in Nottingham, Chesterfield and Derby at affordable prices to suit any budget. Our motorhome servicing and repairs will get you back on the road as soon as possible no matter the make and model; our team has a wealth of knowledge and experience so you can rest assured that your motorhome is in good hands at Glenns. Contact us via our online contact form or call us on 0115 971 7509 today to discuss your motorhome needs and we will be happy to help!