Tag Archives: Travel

RV Maintenance Checklist for Every Season: Keep Your RV Road-Ready Year-Round

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Regular RV maintenance is the key to avoiding breakdowns, extending your RV’s lifespan, and ensuring safe travels. Use this comprehensive seasonal maintenance checklist to keep your RV in top condition throughout the year.

Spring Maintenance Checklist

Spring is the perfect time to prepare your RV for the camping season ahead, especially if you’ve had it in winter storage.

Exterior Inspection

Walk around your RV and inspect the roof, sidewalls, and undercarriage for any damage that may have occurred during winter. Check all seals around windows, doors, and roof vents. Our Roof & Sealing collection has everything you need for repairs.

Plumbing System

If you winterized, flush the antifreeze from your system and sanitize your fresh water tank. Check for leaks in all faucets, connections, and the water heater. Replace any worn parts from our Plumbing & Water Systems section.

Electrical System

Test all lights, outlets, and appliances. Check your battery charge and clean terminals. Inspect your power cord for damage. Browse our Electrical & Lighting collection for replacements.

Tires and Wheels

Check tire pressure, inspect for cracks or wear, and verify proper lug nut torque. Don’t forget your spare tire!

Summer Maintenance Checklist

Summer heat puts extra stress on your RV systems, so regular checks are essential.

Cooling Systems

Clean or replace your air conditioner filters monthly during heavy use. Check refrigerator vents and ensure proper cooling. Find maintenance supplies in our Heating & Cooling collection.

Awning Care

Inspect your awning fabric for tears, clean it regularly, and lubricate moving parts. Check our Awnings & Exterior section for cleaning products and replacement parts.

Holding Tanks

With increased use, monitor your holding tanks closely. Use quality tank treatments to prevent odors and buildup. Shop our Sanitation & Waste collection.

Generator Maintenance

If you have a generator, change the oil, check the air filter, and run it under load monthly to keep it in good condition.

Fall Maintenance Checklist

As camping season winds down, prepare your RV for cooler weather or storage.

Heating System

Test your furnace before you need it. Clean or replace filters and check for proper operation. Our Heating & Cooling products include furnace parts and accessories.

Weatherproofing

Inspect and replace worn weatherstripping around doors and windows. Check all seals and caulking before winter weather arrives.

Appliance Check

Test all appliances including your water heater, stove, and oven. Replace any faulty components from our Appliances & Kitchen collection.

Safety Equipment

Test smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Replace batteries and expired equipment. Visit our Emergency & Safety section.

Winter Maintenance Checklist

Whether you’re storing your RV or winter camping, proper maintenance is crucial.

For Storage

Follow proper winterization procedures (see our complete winterization guide). Cover your RV if possible and check on it periodically throughout winter.

For Winter Camping

Insulate water lines, use heated hoses, and keep cabinet doors open during freezing temperatures. Stock up on winter camping essentials.

Battery Maintenance

Keep batteries charged during storage or maintain them with a quality battery maintainer. Find battery care products in our Electrical & Lighting collection.

Year-Round Maintenance Tasks

Monthly Tasks

  • Check tire pressure and condition
  • Test all lights and signals
  • Inspect for leaks (water and propane)
  • Clean or replace air filters
  • Check battery water levels (if applicable)

Every Trip

  • Check tire pressure when cold
  • Inspect hitch and safety chains
  • Test brakes and brake controller
  • Verify all lights work
  • Check propane levels

Annual Tasks

  • Professional inspection of roof and seals
  • Wheel bearing inspection and repack
  • Brake inspection and adjustment
  • Water heater anode rod replacement
  • Deep clean and wax exterior

Keep Maintenance Supplies on Hand

Stock your RV with essential maintenance and repair supplies. Our Maintenance & Repair collection has everything you need including sealants, lubricants, cleaners, and tools.

Don’t Forget the Hardware

Keep a well-stocked supply of common fasteners, screws, and hardware for quick repairs. Browse our Hardware & Fasteners collection.

Upgrade While You Maintain

Maintenance time is also a great opportunity to upgrade your RV. Check out our Upgrades & Accessories collection for LED lighting, solar panels, and other improvements.

Final Thoughts

Regular maintenance might seem like a chore, but it’s far less expensive and stressful than dealing with breakdowns on the road. Create a maintenance log to track what you’ve done and when, and you’ll enjoy worry-free RVing for years to come.

Need parts or supplies for your seasonal maintenance? Browse our complete selection organized by category to find exactly what you need. Happy RVing!

Demand is shifting toward mobile RV repair!

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My RV Guy is the leading mobile RV repair franchise offering on-site maintenance, inspections, and repair services. The demand for RV technicians will stay exceptionally high through 2026. This is driven by a growing, tech-integrated RV fleet. Additionally, aging technicians are retiring. There is also a rebound in industry shipments to the middle three hundred thousands unit range. The industry is experiencing a critical shortage. Trained technicians are essential for dealerships. They are also highly sought after by mobile repair services. 

2026 Demand & Industry Forecast 

  • High Demand for Skills: The need for skilled RV service technicians is persistent across the U.S. due to aging workers leaving the field and increased, complex, tech-integrated rigs requiring specialized maintenance.
  • Industry Growth: Wholesale RV shipments are projected to reach approximately 349,300 units in 2026, a 2.8% increase from 2025, signifying continued demand for service.
  • Service Bottleneck: A shortage of technicians continues to create a bottleneck, as service departments struggle to meet the demand from a growing number of users. 

Key 2026 Trends Affecting Technician Demand

  • Mobile Service Growth: Demand is shifting toward mobile RV repair, with businesses planning to increase service loads to meet high utilization, signaling a need for more technicians.
  • Demographic Shift: With Millennials and Gen Z representing over 60% of new campers, there is a higher demand for technicians capable of repairing advanced, technology-heavy rigs.
  • Repair Speed Improvements: While demand is high, industry improvements have reduced warranty repair times, allowing technicians to turn around units faster, yet the need for more, faster service remains. 

New RV Shipments Up Again in 2025!

Total RV shipments ended December 2025 with 23,220 units, a 0.3% growth rate compared to the 23,153 units shipped in December 2024. For the 2025 year, RV shipment totaled 342,220 units, a 2.5% growth rate from the prior year’s total.

Towable RVs, led by conventional travel trailers, ended the month down (-1.9%) from last December with 20,425 shipments. Motorhomes finished the month up 19.5% compared to the same month last year with 2,795 units. For the year, Towable RVs finished at 306,191 units, up 2.5%, and Motorhomes totaled 36,029 up 3.3%.

Park Model RVs finished December up 22.0% compared to the same month last year, with 333 wholesale shipments. Park Model RVs ended the year with 4,305 units, up 9.6% over last year’s total.

Key Aspects of the My RV Guy Franchise:

  • Business Model: Owner-operated, focused on providing high-quality, honest service.
  • Services: Covers a wide range of needs, including repairs, maintenance, and insurance estimates.
  • Investment: The total investment typically ranges between $70,000 and $120,000, with a franchise fee of $30,000.
  • Support: Offers ongoing business support, brand recognition, and a proven system to help owners succeed.
  • Ideal Candidates: Self-motivated individuals who are mechanically inclined.
  • Veteran Discount: A 10% discount on the franchise fee is available for veterans. 

For more information, visit the My RV Guy franchise website and the My RV Guy retail website. 

Listen Now. Ron Ash describes a My RV Guy franchise opportunity with Greg Gerber. This is all on Episode 317 of The Workamper Show Podcast.

Keep the Good Times and Revenue Rolling with a My RV Guy® Franchise!

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Friends,

I hope all is well. The mobile RV repair business had another record year. My RV Guy® sales were almost double of the prior year. Manufacturers have been producing poor quality units and relying on us to fix the issues via warranty repair and replacement onsite. It’s great for our business, but not so good for the RV buyer. Hopefully manufacturers will step up their quality control moving forward.

We’ve started another year of franchising our highly efficient, lucrative, and technologically advanced business model. For the right candidates, it’s the best way to start, grow and profit in the RV industry. Buying a franchise or proven business opportunity eliminates all the hard work of opening a business independently and will help you avoid much of the risk of starting a new business. Even if you currently own a mobile RV repair business, you’ll enjoy higher profits and happier customers with the resources and training available as one of our franchisees. Take control of your future, increase your income, find your path to a better lifestyle with a My RV Guy® franchise.

Best regards,

Ron Ash, Franchiser

Listen Now to my interview with Greg Gerber on the Workamper Show to learn if owning a MY RV Guy® franchise is right for you.

We’ve Got You Covered!

  • Marketing– We’ll utilize our extensive marketing expertise to coordinate the development of advertising materials and SEO/SEM strategies to help franchisees leverage our established brand.
  • Operational – My RV Guy will provide ongoing training and support in many areas, including technology and software training, product ordering, customer-service techniques, accounting and administration.
  • Ongoing Research & Development – My RV Guy leadership will continue to research methods and techniques for franchise operations that enhance unit-level profitability.
  • Financing – With some basic information from you, our system will pull a “SOFT” credit report that does NOT affect your credit scores or trigger an inquiry. This Credit Score and Income information is then calculated using our affordability program to maximize funding capability and will show us how much you qualify for using multiple different types of funding solutions! We use this data to arrange, negotiate and close multiple loans, therefore giving you the ability to have multiple options and give you the total amount of funding you need! A funding Consultant will contact you within 24 business hours to discuss your pre-approval and next steps. Apply Now!

That Collection of Moments

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Here we are at the beginning of August 2025. It’s been a wild ride full of great music, activities and so much more. August 7th is the astronomical midpoint of summer, as a New Englander it always feels that way to me. So, we are only a few days into summertime halftime.

Last month I vacationed with four generations of family for a week in beautiful Newport Rhode Island. This year I got up early and went out on my own rather than waiting for all the late risers. During my morning walkabouts I encountered many species of birds, I am an avid enthusiast. A gift from my mom when I was a child. She never said, “Ronny, look at the bird.” Instead, she’d tell me the name of the bird. She unknowingly did to me what Mr. Miyagi did to the Karate Kid. My favorite morning hike ended at a secluded stone covered beach beneath a large cliff, the chosen landing pad for more sea glass than I’ve seen in one place. My wife had collected a large bag of the washed glass last year and had left it behind, so I decided to catch her up on her collecting.

On another day we all gathered at the beach. My biological mother had passed over twenty years ago; she is the one who taught me about the birds. She gave us an appreciation of the seashore as well. My cousin Jay commented on how my sister Dawn and I were beachcombing together for over an hour without saying a word to each other. The funny thing is we didn’t have to. During that time, in that collection of moments, we were closer than any two siblings could be.

This year I was the designated grille master, a task I was hoping to pass off to my cousins from Maine. In all I did very well with the assistance of my wife who added the cheese to the burgers and some help from my nephew Triston in bringing the burgers to the table. I shot some video after the last burger was off the grille in which I lovingly referred to my dad, the family patriarch as the “Grand Poobah” and my stepmother, our matriarch as the “Grand Poobess”. Video introductions of the rest of my family followed, ending with my eight-month-old grandson Ezme and his camera-shy parents who attempted to escape me.

I put my phone away for the majority of my vacation this year. The absence of the screen seemed to really cleanse my soul and replenish my spirit. I was present in every moment. I didn’t take as many photos as usual, but that’s okay. Others took photos and I have so many great memories etched in my mind. Remember, the past is gone, the future isn’t here yet, all we really have is right now. In that moment before thought is where creation takes place. That’s where God lives.

Winterization

Have My RV Guy prepare your RV for cold weather storage by draining the water system, blowing out the lines, adding antifreeze, and protecting vulnerable components from the elements. Winterization prevents damage from freezing and ensures the RV is ready for use in the spring. Schedule your RV winterization today!

Chepachet Village

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by Ron Ash

If you grew up in northern Rhode Island you are no stranger to Chepachet Village, but you may not be familiar with its history. Walking through this quaint community of antique shops one cannot help but to appreciate its rustic charm. The areas history dates far back before the earliest of commercial ventures were imagined. I believe they called them “Trading Posts” back then. What are now The Town Trader and surrounding shops were some of the historic establishments started by those early Americans who saw Glocester as a place for business opportunities during colonial times.

Originally home of many Pequot  and Nipmuc people, Chepachet finds its origin in the language of these native Americans. Chepachet means “where rivers meet”. The Chepachet River flows through Glocester and Burrillville starting at New Pond, flowing north to Gilleran Pond, and eventually joins with the Clear River to Branch River. Obviously the ideal natural infrastructure to facilitate trade between native Americans and the colonists. Have canoe, will travel!

In 1774 Chepachet residents were ready for independence and were not shy about lending their support for the impending revolution. At that time the “Gloucester Light Infantry” was founded in town. The infantry operates an armory museum behind the town hall at 33 Dorr Drive, formerly Chepachet Elementary School. I’ll have to visit there someday. I will be sure to share my findings when I do.

If you walk across the bridge from the Chepachet Post Office (est. 1828) towards the antique shops you’ll find a plaque on the bridge which commemorates “Betty the Fabulous Learned Elephant”. On May 25th 1976 “Elephant Day” was proclaimed in remembrance of the shooting death of said elephant as she crossed the Chepachet River on that date in 1826. “Little Bett” was the victim of a band of undesirables led by a man named Canton Smith. A sad story made worse as Betty was a very popular small circus attraction of the day.

It is easy to miss the historical importance of this beloved town. We get so busy with life we often get tunnel vison and fail to appreciate the history around us. So, while you are on your way to Who Cut The Cheesecake, Uncle Harry’s Barbershop or Depitrillo’s Bakery, please take a moment to recall the early settlers who made Chepachet and the United States of America possible. Historically, the residents of Chepachet were and are not a shy people. Get involved, learn the history and support those who protect and maintain it.

Remember, time is our most precious commodity, spend it wisely.

Happy camping!

Ron Ash aka My RV Guy