Common RV Problems and how to Avoid Them

Common RV Problems

Ahhh… RVs, a gateway to the great outdoors. You can park anywhere on a road trip and set up shop. A home away from home if you will. While RVs are a rather inexpensive way of traveling around the beautiful U.S., they are not without their problems. Yes, even though they’re built to travel thousands of miles at a time, they are susceptible to the same issues as other vehicles. At Locke Performance in Nappanee, IN, we know what to do to get your RV back ready to hit the road for your next adventure. Our team of ASE-certified master technicians have several years experience putting RVs back in working order. We would like to share with you some of the common problems, and how you can avoid them.

Engine Problems

The most common of issues for RVs revolves around their engine. Most of the problems occur from using the wrong coolant, bad filters, or even worse, having the wrong fuel in the vehicle. The reason is fairly straightforward. Many people unfortunately don’t know the ins and outs of operating an RV. Buying a vehicle such as this requires a ton of research. You need to know what you are buying before you buy it. If you start misjudging things like the filters, coolant, and fuel, you’re going to end up broken down on the side of the road.

Electrical Issues

Another common problem in many RVs lies in the electrical system. Since you’ll be running several appliances and entertainment, your main battery will drain quickly. On the whole, you will need to charge the battery at least once a week. It’s pertinent to check the outlets and power supply to ensure the battery is charging. Another thing to keep in mind is the amount of electricity used at one time either on battery or generator. If you have all the appliances running in addition to an external air conditioning unit, the combined output of amps may overload the circuit breaker. The best option going forward is running one at a time. One alternative power source to consider is solar panels. While they may be complicated to install at first, over time though, they’ll make your RV-ing a green and quiet experience.

Tire Failures/Blowouts

With RVs traveling many miles over the course of a trip, your tires will experience stress different from other vehicles. If the RV has a bad alignment, the tires will wear down in no time at all. Check over the suspension to make sure everything is in order. If the leaf springs or shackle straps show signs of wear, then it’s time for replacement. If you experience porpoising, or bouncing action, after going over a pothole, it can lead to your tires exploding from the stress. You should check your water tank level. An overfilled tank can slosh around the RV, helping produce the porpoise effect. Heat is also a major concern for your tires. If the tires are over or under-inflated, the tires will build up heat very quickly, and begin to melt. Be sure to check your tire pressures before setting out on your journey.



While it may be intimidating at the start, owning an RV and keeping it well maintained will give you memories to cherish for a lifetime. If you have any questions about RVs or RV maintenance, please give us a call at (574)-475-7830. We’re located at 28641 County Road 50. Our staff looks forward to chatting with you in the very near future!!!