RV Lubrication is a Key A part of RV Upkeep
Lubricating your RV is essential to stopping put on and tear in your RV and it’s one of many best upkeep duties an RV proprietor can do. Spending simply 20 minutes each 3–6 months (relying on how typically you utilize your RV) lubricating your RV can forestall an entire lot of massive issues down the highway. Nonetheless, this easy upkeep activity is usually neglected by RVers.
Selecting the Proper RV Lubricant is Essential
There are a whole lot of lubricants available on the market designed particularly to be used on RVs. That mentioned, utilizing the best lubricant for the job is simply as vital as lubricating your RV regularly. Utilizing the flawed lubricant could cause worse issues than those you’re attempting to keep away from. For instance, some lubricants have a tendency to draw mud, grime and grit. You’ll need to keep away from utilizing these on any uncovered surfaces. One other instance is the best way some petroleum primarily based lubricants trigger speedy deterioration of rubber elements. For this reason your selection of lubricant will depend upon which RV part you’re lubricating. On this article, we’ll check out all the things it’s good to find out about RV lubrication, together with all of the elements it is best to lubricate and the way typically, to choosing the proper RV lubricant.
RV Lubricant Varieties
- SIlicone Spray
- Dielectric Grease
- Hitch Grease
- White Lithium Grease
- Slideout Seal dressing
- Graphite lubricant
- WD40
- Wheel bearing Grease
Lubricate These RV Elements
RV Awning Arms
It’s a good suggestion to lubricate the transferring components and arms of your RV awning twice a yr. In case your RV awning squeals if you prolong or retract it, then it’s time to lubricate. For this job, you’ll need to use silicone lubricant spray. Undoubtedly keep away from utilizing something that mud might adhere to, so the transferring components gained’t get gummed up.
Technique: Earlier than you lubricate, flush out channels and clear any mud and particles off of the awning arms and channels. Permit to dry totally. Subsequent, spray the channels and all transferring components with a dry lubricant spray. Silicone lubricant spray works effectively for lubricating awning arms.
RV Lock Cylinders
RV lock cylinders carry out finest when lubricated a minimum of annually with a dry lubricant. Lubrication may help to loosen grit and particles that generally finds its manner into exterior locks. As well as, cylinder locks are affected by temperature modifications in addition to moisture within the air that may trigger the mechanisms in them to grab in the event that they aren’t lubricated commonly.
Select a Dry Lubricant
RV lock cylinders must be lubricated with a dry lubricant, corresponding to graphite, silicone, or Teflon spray lubricant a couple of times yearly. Many RVers strive utilizing a petroleum-based lubricant corresponding to WD40 for this job. Petroleum-based lubricants can work effectively at first, however after some time, the lock can get gummed up and seize. It’s because these merchandise have a tendency to draw mud and different particles that is likely to be on the important thing when it enters the lock. Dry lubricants forestall particles from adhering to mechanisms contained in the lock.
Technique: This can be a job that requires the usage of that little straw that comes on most cylinders of spray lubricant. Insert the straw as far into the lock cylinder as it can go. Then depress the set off give a fast spray to dispense the lubricant.
Hinges, Drawers, and Baggage Bay Doorways and Latches
RV exterior door hinges and baggage bay doorways can get squeaky in the event that they don’t get lubricated 2–3 instances a yr. For this job, it’s finest to make use of a dry lubricant, corresponding to silicone or Teflon spray lubricant. This is able to even be a superb time to sort out drawers and hinges on the within with the suitable lubricants as effectively.
Technique: Open every exterior door or baggage bay door as you’re employed. Utilizing the little straw that got here with the cylinder of lubricant, spray every hinge in addition to the door latches.
Hitch Elements
Lubricating the hitch ball and coupler is essential to making sure their longevity. It’s because an RV hitch ball and coupler carry a whole lot of weight, creating friction on each the hitch ball and coupler. Ultimately, this can result in each the coupler and hitch ball getting worn out. Due to the load concerned, this job requires the usage of a heavier lubricant, corresponding to wheel bearing grease or white lithium grease. Utilizing a lighter lubricant (like graphite) additionally works, however will must be repeated extra regularly. Usually, it is best to clear and grease the hitch on an RV trailer each journey, though this could differ with towing circumstances.
Technique: Earlier than you begin, use a rag to take away any outdated lubricant, grime, and particles from the coupler and hitch ball. Subsequent, spray the within of the coupler with hitch lubricant or white lithium grease. When you’re utilizing wheel bearing grease, use a small quantity to create a barrier between the 2 metallic surfaces.
Electrical Connections and Battery Terminals
Making use of only a dab of dielectric grease to electrical connections such because the seven pin trailer plug, or RV home or chassis battery terminals helps to stop corrosion and helps hold electrons fortunately flowing to the place you want them. This electrical upkeep activity may be achieved a couple of times a yr, relying on how typically the RV is used.
Technique: Disconnect connections from home batteries or chassis battery. Clear RV battery terminals with electrical contact cleaner spray. Cowl every terminal with a layer of dielectric grease. Reconnect terminals separately. Subsequent, squirt a bit electrical contact spray on seven pin electrical connection and permit to dry earlier than making use of a bit dielectric grease to the connection.
RV Slideouts
RV slideout mechanisms needs to be lubricated 2–4 instances a yr with a silicone spray lubricant to keep away from issues brought on by put on and tear. Make sure to keep away from utilizing petroleum primarily based lubricants as a result of they have an inclination to draw mud and particles which might create issues.
Technique: There are three widespread sorts of rv slideout mechanisms. These are rack and pinion, Schwintek, and cable. That mentioned, the strategy used to lubricate your slideout varies, relying on which slideout system your RV has. Nonetheless, principally, the steps are to wash the mechanism of any apparent particles after which apply silicone spray lubricant. Click on right here for an in depth information that features every RV slideout system.
Motorhome Chassis
When you drive a motorhome, it a good suggestion to have the RV chassis lubricated when the oil is modified. That mentioned, for this job, it’s finest to comply with the directions within the working handbook in your RV chassis.
Home windows
Common use could cause RV home windows to turn into sticky in the event that they aren’t lubricated 1–2 instances per yr, utilizing a dry lubricant corresponding to a silicone, graphite, or Teflon primarily based spray lubricant. This fast and easy job could make a giant distinction to how simply your RV home windows open or shut.
Technique: Clear window channels totally. Utilizing spray lubricant cylinder straw to use lubricant to window channels.
RV Lubrication is Key
Lubrication is by far the simplest RV upkeep activity you are able to do. Nonetheless, utilizing the best lubricant for the job is essential to protecting your whole RV’s transferring components working for the lifetime of your RV.
