What to Do Right After Your RV Breaks Down

What do you do if your RV breaks down while you are on the road?

Having an RV can be a great investment and a great lifestyle choice. Some may use it as a vehicle for road trips and escapades, while others make it into a home and live there. So, like any other vehicle or property, RVs require proper care and maintenance to keep them in good shape. Skipping on your annual check-up or maintenance procedures may be tempting but doing this can lead to dire consequences.

One possible consequence is your RV breaking down. Either your RV doesn’t start up when you turn on the engines—or worse, it stops working in the middle of the road. These situations can happen without prior notice, so it’s essential to be always ready. Check out the information below to learn more about what to do after your RV breaks down, so you can always stay safe.

Be Ready with Essentials

Whether camping in the woods or going on a cross-country road trip, always inspect your RV beforehand and pack the essentials. While this is more of a proactive rather than a reactive step, it’s equally important to emphasize so you can build a habit. After all, prevention is better than the cure.

Generally, a quick tune-up before your trip should be enough. However, if you see leaking coolant or notice that the engine’s taking longer to start up, it’s best to conduct a more thorough inspection or call a professional to check out your RV first.

Additionally, remember to always bring essentials for basic mobile RV repair.

These include:

• Spare generator
• Spare tire
• First-aid kit
• Toolbox
• Jumper cables
• Spare hooks and chains
• Food and water supplies

Move to a Safe Space

If your RV suddenly breaks down in the middle of a trip, the first thing to do is find a safe space to perform mobile RV repair. To do this, start by turning on your hazard signal, then slowly gliding towards the side of the road or a flat empty clearing where you won’t be in the way of other vehicles. Remember to hit the brakes gently and not panic since RVs carry a lot of mass.

Once you’ve found a safe spot, double-check the ground to make sure it’s solid, debris-free, and flat. Otherwise, your RV may potentially roll off and get damaged.

Check Up on Everyone

Next, check up on everyone around you. Some may panic or feel anxious and unnerved when a vehicle breaks down, especially if there are people inside it. You should check to see if anyone sustained injuries from the mishap. If you notice any injuries, make sure to call paramedics immediately.

Go Through Your Mobile RV Repair Checklist

Once you’ve verified that everyone is safe, you’ll need to troubleshoot your RV to identify the problem. A good way to do this will be to run through your repair checklist as a guide on what areas you should inspect. Of course, ensure the area is secure and clear before you inspect your vehicle or perform any mobile RV repair.

Take note that your main concerns here will differ slightly from those in your annual check-ups. In case of a breakdown, you should focus more on the moving pieces. For example, it’ll be more important to check your gas levels than to look at the freezer for a possible ice build-up.

The common reasons an RV breaks down can be tied back to the engine. You can start by checking for any leakages of coolants or oil. If this isn’t the problem, inspect for broken valves or any pieces that may have gotten lodged where they don’t belong. If you still can’t identify the problem at this point, here are other things to watch out for:

• Overheated engine
• Shorted or empty battery
• Gear malfunctions or a stuck gear stick
• Faulty wiring on any of your main systems

Call for Service

If things are too much for you to handle, then it may be time to call a mobile RV repair service to assist in repairs so you can get back on the road. When you contact a mobile RV repair company, specify the issues your RV is exhibiting. A mobile RV company will inspect and repair your RV on the spot, so you can stay in the vehicle during the repair.

Get Professional Mobile Repairs When Your RV Breaks Down

Having your RV break down can be scary and stressful, so you should be aware of what to do if this happens. While knowing how to do basic RV maintenance is crucial, it’s best to turn to professionals for more complex and technical problems.

If you ever find yourself in this situation, don’t hesitate to contact AA Mobile RV Repair for assistance. We offer mobile RV repair, inspections, and maintenance services throughout Pinellas County in Florida, so we’re always ready to dispatch our team after an RV breakdown. Call us at (727) 310-4662, and we’ll be happy to help you resolve your RV problems.