Repair and Refurbish Recreational Vehicle Checklist
*This could easily be modified for a travel trailer*
ENGINE/CHASSIS
Test drive for:
Check engine for:
Inspect underneath:
Lights:
CABIN
INSIDE TESTS AND REPAIRS
Test propane appliances:
Test Electrical system:
Test other systems:
Test water system for leaks and repair all leaks as necessary:
Service plumbing system:
Cabinetry and Hardware:
Mini-blinds – check for missing parts and replace if needed:
Miscellaneous Interior Tests:
OUTSIDE TESTS AND REPAIRS
REFURBISHING OF EXTERIOR
OTHER TASKS
Test drive for:
- Engine starts readily
- Cruise control functions
- Steering tight enough
- Alignment - drives and stops straight
- Brakes function
- Transmission shifting as it should
- Engine noises
- Road noises
- Muffler noises
- Shocks not worn
Check engine for:
- Clean Oil
- Transmission fluid red, not brown
- Power steering fluid full
- Brake fluid full
- Radiator fluid full
- Wiper fluid full
- Air filter clean
- Belts tight, not cracked
- Hoses clamped tight, not cracked (4 cyl engine has a small one at the bottom not to overlook)
- Battery hold-down bracket is tight
- Missing or broken engine parts:
- Grill clips
- Stow clip for hold-open rod
- Lids to fluid containers not cracked
- (Replace any of above if necessary)
- Clean engine compartment
- Inspect tires (including spare)
- Add air according to sidewall specs (not original pick-up truck specs)
- Read date codes, replace if more than 7 years old
- Replace any missing valve caps
Inspect underneath:
- Muffler and exhaust pipes for leaks
- Crankshaft not loose
- Various joints
- Seals
- Bushings
- Steering stops missing; replace?
Lights:
- Test all lights individually; clean and make to work
- (Add electrical grease as needed)
- Marker lights
- Tail lights
- Turn signals
- Brake lights
- Back-up lights
- Running lights
- License plate light
- Porch light
- (Add electrical grease as needed)
- Test trailer wires, if any
CABIN
- Test air conditioning
- Test wipers, and sprayer for accuracy of spray
- Test stereo, CD and/or tape player, and all speakers individually
- Test radio antenna
- Test 12 volt plug
- Test window cranks
- Lubricate door hinges
- Test seat slide mechanisms
- Check seat belts for twists; fix if needed
- Test cab ceiling light function in all modes
- Test alarm system, if present
- Test back-up camera, if present; or add rear wide-angle lens, if none
- Test on-board air compressor for air springs if present
INSIDE TESTS AND REPAIRS
Test propane appliances:
- Check refrigerator on all modes
- Repair or replace cooling unit if needed
- Position all interior fridge parts properly, including drip tray at rear
- Replace freezer door springs if no longer strong
- Test fridge door seal for leaks
- Replace latch if needed
- Check water heater for ignition and blue flame; clean propane lines, if not blue
- Change anode rod? (if present)
- Stove and oven
- All burners light easily and evenly?
- Oven lights eventually? (Can take up to several minutes if not recently lit)
- Thermal sensor is in position in back of oven with proper clip to regulate temperature?
- Shelves inserted properly? (black shelf w/ holes at front; wire rack “clamped” on sides)
- Replace broken or missing stove grate end caps
- Replace any missing bumpers on stove cover if present
- Furnace:
- Clean and test furnace; replace circuit board if needed, or motor if squealing
- Replace wall thermostat with a digital one if necessary
Test Electrical system:
- Alternator charging? (Lights get brighter when engine is turned on)
- Isolator functioning? Circuit breakers to batteries are good?
- Batteries hold charge? Replace?
- Fill water to proper level (just barely to “fish eye” in each hole)
- Converter charges as it should? Minimally noisy? (Lights get brighter when coach is plugged in)
Test other systems:
- Test roof air conditioner
- Clean filters
- Repair/replace cover on roof?
- Test Microwave oven
- Test 12v outlet and accompanying fuse
- Test TV and remote
- Test TV antenna; check for continuity
- Test any 12v fans
- Test/replace/add clock; add fresh battery
- Test all light fixtures including porch light for proper bulbs
- Replace burned interior light lenses
- Test tank gauges
Test water system for leaks and repair all leaks as necessary:
- Water pump
- Drain valves
- Faucets
- Exterior city water fill valve (Look for water on the side when water pump is on)
- Toilet -- check for broken seat hinges; replace if needed
- Check internal fresh water filler line (no significant sag to create stagnant water)
Service plumbing system:
- Drain freshwater tank and sanitize tank and lines with proper sanitizing solution
- Flush black water tank
- Power spray toilet descending tube
- Add chemical
- Flush gray water tank
- Test sewer valves
- Replace valves and/or seals and/or caps if needed
- Check all holding tank straps for integrity
Cabinetry and Hardware:
- Check that all drawers and drawer glides work smoothly; repair as needed
- Tighten all screws in cabinet hinges, and piston bases (due to loosing over time)
- Tighten all cupboard handles or replace with new
- Replace missing felt dots on all interior cupboard/closet doors, top and bottom
- Tighten screws around generator/storage compartment from inside if needed
Mini-blinds – check for missing parts and replace if needed:
- Clips on walls
- End stops on bottom of blinds
- Wand
- Broken strings
- Bells on ends of strings
- Other versions of window hardware – check if complete; Replace shower curtain glides and rings if rusty
Miscellaneous Interior Tests:
- Test propane detector (if present)
- Test smoke detector, or add one
- Confirm fire extinguisher is full, or add one
- Check caulking behind bath sink, in shower, and kitchen sink; recaulk as needed
- Confirm sinks have crumb cups; replace if missing
- Confirm there is a functioning privacy curtain
- Test solar panels and charge controller function, if present.
OUTSIDE TESTS AND REPAIRS
- Test and service generator, if present; check oil and voltage output
- Check roof vents; replace if cracked; clean debris
- Check roof air conditioner gasket for leaks; replace if necessary
- Check for cracks in roof caulk and seal with Dicor Lap Sealant if needed
- Paint roof with Elastomeric roof coat if needed
- Check marker lights for leaks; seal with Proflex caulk around base if necessary; or replace with new fixtures
- Check for window leaks
- Reposition all black seals so no gaps at bottoms (Use WD 40 to help slide into place)
- Fill in resulting top gaps with silicone
- Seal with fresh caulk around windows
- Remove and replace windows using putty tape if necessary
- Clean all window channels for smooth operation
- Test awning operation; is awning pole present? Repair or replace parts as needed
- Lube all locks and test all keys
- Check end of electrical cord; repair with proper sealing tape if wires are showing
- Inspect sewer hose for leaks and faulty end pieces; repair or replace
REFURBISHING OF EXTERIOR
- Repair blemishes in outside paneling
- Remove and replace exterior stripes if necessary
- Polish siding
- Touch-up paint as needed
- Black paint for windshield wipers, windows, step, bumper, etc.
- Install new screw-cover molding (AKA “vinyl insert molding”);
- Replace molding around compartment doors if needed
- Replace compartment door hold-opens if needed
- Replace cover cap and/or tether to city water line input if needed
- Check entry door hold-open; add new, or clean off rust and replace bumper if needed
- Check that entry door closes and latches properly
- Replace weather-strip if needed (only use correct thickness and width)
- Add appropriate size weather-strip to compartment doors where missing (i.e. water heater, battery)
- Replace porch light lens if needed
- Check all screens, including screen door, for looseness, holes, or damage; tighten or replace if needed
- Check for missing weep hole covers; replace if needed
- Add a stationary attachment for the shower head of outside shower (if present)
- Refurbish mirrors:
- Clean mirror backs – use FINE steel wool if plastic; for spray paint if metal
- Replace all rusted screws
- Replace rubber gaskets, or flip and swap mirrors side to side to show the fresh side of the rubber
- Replace center brackets if rusted
OTHER TASKS
- Organize manuals
- Organize all service records
- Make 2 complete key sets
- Make an extra key to hide in magnetic holder in outside compartment
- Fill with propane
- Fill with fresh water
- Fill with gas
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