Your RV is your ticket to adventure, but keeping it road-ready requires some annual TLC. Continual maintenance is an investment in countless future trips and worry-free travels. These five yearly maintenance tasks will help you catch problems early and keep your RV running smoothly for the long haul.

Inspect and service the roof

Your RV’s roof takes a beating from sun, rain, and debris throughout the year. You should always keep your roof clean from leaves, branches, and other debris. But once a year, carefully inspect every inch for cracks, soft spots, fading, scratching, peeling, and so forth. Pay special attention to seams around vents, air conditioners, and antennas—these are common trouble spots where water can sneak in.

Don’t forget to ask your service technician about UV protection and roof sealants during your annual inspection. A small leak today can become major water damage down the road, so address any issues immediately and protect your RV against future damage.

Check all seals and caulking

Walk around your entire RV and examine every window, door, and compartment seal. Look for cracked, missing, or peeling caulk that could let moisture inside. Test each seal by gently pressing on it—healthy caulk should feel firm and flexible, not brittle or spongy.

Replace any questionable seals before your next trip. It’s much easier to handle this maintenance at home than deal with a leak at a remote campground.

Service the electrical system

Test all your lights, both inside and out. Check running lights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard flashers. Don’t forget about less obvious electrical components, like your slide-out motors, leveling jacks, and water pump.

Inspect your battery terminals for corrosion and clean them if it’s necessary. If your batteries are more than three years old, have them load-tested to ensure they’re still holding a proper charge.

Examine tires and suspension

RV tires often fail due to age rather than wear, so check the sidewalls for cracks, bulges, or dry rot. Even if the tread looks good, consider replacing tires that are more than five years old. Don’t forget your spare tire—it needs attention too. And while you’re down there, look at your suspension components, springs, and shock absorbers for signs of damage.

Test all appliances and systems

Fire up every appliance in your RV at least once during your yearly maintenance. Test your refrigerator, water heater, furnace, air conditioner, and any other built-in equipment. Run water through all faucets and check for leaks under sinks.

This is also a great time to replace filters in your air conditioner and water system, and to flush your water lines if you’ve had your RV winterized.

Regular yearly maintenance might not be the most exciting part of RV ownership, but it’s what keeps those spontaneous weekend getaways and cross-country adventures possible. By doing these tasks, you’ll catch small problems before they become big headaches and keep your RV ready for whatever journey calls to you next.