5 Inexpensive Maintenance Tips to Keep You Safe on Your RV Trip
Most of the maintenance that keeps an RV safe costs little more than a gauge, a tube of sealant and an hour of your time.
RV · Originally published January 22, 2016 · Updated November 2026
RV insurance is built for sudden, accidental losses: a collision, a hailstorm, a fire, a theft. It generally doesn't pay for wear and tear or damage that builds up slowly. That makes basic maintenance doubly important. It keeps you safer on the road, and it prevents expensive problems that you'd be paying for yourself. These five checks are inexpensive and worth doing before every trip.
1. Check your tires every time
Tires are one of the most common causes of RV trouble on the road, and they're one of the easiest things to check.
- Use a quality tire pressure gauge and inflate to the RV or trailer maker's recommended pressure, which is usually shown on a label or placard on the RV or in the owner's manual. The number on the tire's sidewall is a maximum, not a target.
- Check pressure when tires are cold, before you drive.
- Look for cracks in the sidewalls, bulges, and uneven wear. RVs often sit for long periods, and tires can age out before the tread wears down.
- Find the date code on the sidewall and ask a tire shop whether it's time to replace them.
- Don't forget the spare, if you have one.
NHTSA has helpful tire safety information at nhtsa.gov.
2. Inspect the roof and seals
Water is the enemy of an RV, and slow leaks are typically treated as maintenance problems, not insurance claims. A few times a year, and before each season:
- Inspect the sealant around roof vents, skylights, the air conditioner, antennas and roof edges.
- Look for cracks, gaps or peeling, and reseal with a product made for your roof type.
- Check the seals around windows, doors and slide-outs.
- Inside, look for stains, soft spots or a musty smell, which can signal a leak.
3. Test brakes, lights and connections
- Walk around the RV with a helper to test headlights, brake lights, turn signals and running lights.
- For towables, inspect the hitch, coupler, safety chains and wiring plug, test the breakaway switch, and make sure your brake controller is set for the load.
- For motorhomes, follow the chassis maintenance schedule for brakes and fluids, and get any grinding or soft pedal checked before you leave.
Ozarks highways have long hills and sharp curves, and working brakes matter on every one of them.
4. Take care of batteries and electrical
- Clean corrosion off battery terminals and make sure connections are tight.
- If you have flooded lead-acid batteries, check water levels and top off with distilled water.
- Inspect your shore power cord and plug for cracks, burn marks or loose connections. Damaged cords are a fire risk.
- Test the battery disconnect and make sure the converter is charging.
5. Test your safety devices
This one costs almost nothing and could save your life.
- Test the smoke, carbon monoxide and propane detectors, and replace batteries.
- Check the manufacture or expiration date on each detector and replace any that are out of date.
- Make sure your fire extinguisher's gauge is in the green and it's mounted where you can reach it.
- Smell for propane around the stove, furnace and water heater, and get any leak repaired by a qualified technician.
Maintenance and your insurance
Keeping up with maintenance won't change what your policy covers, but it lowers the odds of a breakdown or crash in the first place. For help when something fails anyway, ask whether your policy includes roadside assistance, and if you tow, review travel trailer insurance and towing. If your RV sits for months at a time, RV storage insurance explains how coverage works while it's parked.
Talk to a local agent
Call us at 417.865.4800 or request a quote below, and we'll review your RV insurance before your next trip.
Common questions
Does RV insurance cover a roof leak?
It depends on the cause. Sudden damage, like a falling limb puncturing the roof, is often covered under comprehensive, while leaks from worn sealant are usually treated as maintenance.
How often should I check my RV tire pressure?
Before every travel day, while the tires are cold. Pressure changes with temperature and slow leaks are common after storage.
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Written by Auto Insurance Express. Reviewed by Philip Edwards, founder. Philip has run independent insurance agencies in southwest Missouri since 1997. More about the agency.
General information, not advice about your specific policy. Coverage, exclusions and eligibility are determined by the policy forms and endorsements your insurer issues, and state rules change. Confirm details with us before you rely on them.
