When you have decided that it is time to remove the RV cover and prepare for your next trip, you should start with a general inspection of your awning. Unroll the awning and check for mildew or stains that need to be removed. Use a commercial cleaning product to remove the stains and mildew. While cleaning look for rips, tears, or punctures in the fabric.

When the awning is extended you should always make sure that it is raised high enough before opening the entry door. The most common cause of rips and tears in the awning fabric are from the entry door with rough edges that can damage the low hanging awning. Most tears can be easily repaired. It is a good idea to keep a roll of RV awning repair tape in an outside compartment of your RV. It is easy to apply and virtually invisible and permanent.

Water pooling in the center of the awning can cause extensive damage to the awning. That is why it is recommended to always keep one side of your awning lower than the other. This prevents the collection of water and allows it to run off.

Wind gusts of over 20 mph can cause extensive damage to the awning as well as your RV. Never leave the awning down when there is no one around to let it down when needed. Store the awning in the travel position when everyone is away from the camper and when you go to bed at night. It is also a good idea to have awning tie downs at the campsite to prevent damage from any sudden gust of wind or sudden summer thunderstorm. Nobody wants to come back to camp to find their awning looking like our picture. It's easier to prevent damage than to replace it and it is also easier on your wallet as well.

The most neglected part of the RV is its tires. The most common reason for tire damage is due to overloading the RV or not having the proper inflation of air in the tires. Here are the top ten tips for getting the most out of your tires.

1) Use a qualified inflation pressure gauge to check pressure.

2) Inflate tires to the tire manufacturer’s pressure recommendations or according to the Federal data plate on your RV. The maximum pressure allowed for a tire is embossed on the side wall.

3) Always check when the tires are cold before traveling. Since hot air expands it gives a false reading if the tire has been used.

4) If you have dual wheels you should have valve extenders installed for ease of use and have rubber valves replaced with steel valves.

5) Check your tires for uneven wear and cracking on the tire side walls. If one tire shows much different wear than the other tires there could be a more serious problem. Have the tires inspected by a professional tire center. Do not operate the RV with tires that show signs of wear until they have been inspected by a professional.

6) Have your RV weighed when it is fully loaded. Try the Flying J Truck stops to have your rig weighed. Many have scales for public use.

7) When you weigh your RV at the scales, weigh each tire individually to make sure that none of the tires are overloaded. If they are, correct the problem immediately.

8) Use wheel covers on your tires when not in use. Ozone and UV rays damage tires. Ozone causes dry rot and deterioration of the tire. UV rays speed up this process.

9) Rotate your tires on a regular basis. Tire rotation helps to equalize tread wear and is critical to gain the maximum life from your tire investment. Generally a rotation interval of 6,000 miles is recommended.

10)      Tires over 6 or 7 years old should be replaced. You can determine the age of your tires by looking for the serial number embossed on the side wall. Look at the last three digits. The first two digits of the three is the week of the year. The last digit is the year the tire was manufactured. So, the number 149 would indicate the tire was made in the fourteenth week of 1999.

The LP tank has a gauge on it that tells you how much is in the tank. When you go to the fill station you must unscrew a cap in order to fill the tank. That cap must be kept on the tank to keep debris from entering the tank. You will also find a pressure release valve on the tank that is a safety device used when filling the tank. Of course there is also the on/off valve. While traveling, this valve should always be closed. It should only be in the on position when it is in use. The last part of the LP tank is the LP regulator that controls how much is going into the coach at a time.

Once a year you should perform a routine inspection after removing your RV cover. Start by checking for leaks in the LP system. A professional could check the pressure with an instrument called a monometer but why spend the money for that service when you can do it for a fraction of the cost. All you need is a spray water bottle with some very soapy water. Turn on your LP system and then spray around the entire tank and all the connections. If you should see any bubbles ten there is a leak in the connection. Tighten the connections and don’t forget to test the connections to your refrigerator, stove and water heater.