For many of us at the Roost, our RVs aren't just vehicles — they're home. When a rig sits for long stretches in the Arizona sun, the maintenance routine shifts. Sun, dust, and the occasional critter become the daily concerns instead of road wear and tear. The hints below come from years of resident experience. They're not a substitute for your owner's manual or a trained tech — but they'll keep you ahead of most problems and save you money down the road.
These tips are general guidance. Always follow your manufacturer's recommendations for your specific make and model.
When your RV is parked for months at a time, the wear-and-tear is different than life on the road. UV exposure, dust, and standing systems are the things to watch.
Roof & Seals
The number one rule of long-term RV ownership: get on the roof every six months. Inspect every seal — around the air conditioner, vents, antennas, skylights, and every seam. The Arizona sun is brutal on rubber and caulk. Resealing as needed (with the right product for your roof type — Dicor for rubber, the equivalent for fiberglass) prevents the leaks that ruin floors and ceilings. If you're not comfortable on the roof, residents here are usually happy to help — just ask around.
Tires
Tires sitting in one spot for months are tires under stress. UV light is the biggest enemy — invest in good tire covers and use them year-round. Check pressure monthly even when you're not moving (tires lose air slowly). Move the rig forward or back a few feet every few months if you can, so the same spot isn't always loaded. And remember: RV tires age out before they wear out. Most should be replaced at 5–7 years regardless of tread.
Slide-Outs & Awnings
Slides that never move develop dried, cracked seals. Run each slide in and out once a month or so just to keep the seals supple and the mechanism free. Lubricate the slide rails with the product your manufacturer recommends (not all sprays are slide-safe). Awnings: never leave them out unattended in wind, even gentle wind. Clean them periodically — a soft brush and mild soap is plenty.
Plumbing & Tanks
Even in the Arizona desert, a hard freeze hits a few nights a year. Heat tape on exposed water lines is cheap insurance. For your black and grey tanks: don't leave the black valve open when you're parked long-term — it leads to the "pyramid" problem (solids dry into a cone). Keep a few inches of water in the tank, dump only when it's mostly full, and use a tank treatment regularly. Sensors that read "always full" are usually just gummed up — a tank flush usually fixes them.
HVAC & Filters
Dust in the desert is relentless. Check and clean (or replace) your AC and furnace filters every 4–6 weeks during the season. A dirty filter makes your AC work harder, use more electricity, and shortens its life. While you're at it, vacuum the registers and look for dust buildup around the AC unit on the roof.
Pest Prevention
Mice, ants, and scorpions are the desert's uninvited guests. Seal every entry point — especially where pipes, wires, and refrigerator vents enter the rig. Steel wool or copper mesh stuffed into gaps deters mice. Keep food sealed, sweep up crumbs, and run a flashlight under and around your rig at night occasionally to spot anything moving. Most residents swear by peppermint oil for mice and Diatomaceous Earth around the tires.
Battery & Electrical
Use a quality surge protector between your rig and the pedestal — Arizona summer storms can deliver nasty voltage spikes. If you have lead-acid house batteries, check the water level every couple of months and keep them charged. Lithium batteries are largely maintenance-free but still benefit from being kept in a moderate state of charge if the rig sits unused for extended periods.
Refrigerator
RV fridges (absorption type) need to be nearly level to work properly — and to last. Clean the rear vents annually (a leaf blower works wonders). If your fridge struggles in summer heat, a small 12V fan inside the rear vent helps a lot. Residential-style RV fridges are more forgiving about level but still appreciate good ventilation.
Generator (If Equipped)
Generators don't like sitting. Run yours under load (turn on the AC) for at least 30 minutes once a month. Change the oil per the hours your manual specifies. Stale fuel is the number one reason generators won't start — use a fuel stabilizer if it sits for long stretches.
Propane Safety
Have your propane system inspected by a qualified tech every couple of years. Replace propane detectors every 5–7 years — they have an expiration date most owners never check. Look at yours; if there's a date and it's passed, replace it.
Even seasoned RVers benefit from a written checklist. When your rig has been sitting for months, it's easy to forget a step. Run through this list every time you prepare to travel — and walk through it with your travel partner so two sets of eyes confirm everything.
The Week Before
- Check tire pressure on every tire (including the spare). Inflate to the cold pressure your manufacturer specifies for your loaded weight.
- Inspect tires for cracks, bulges, and uneven wear. Tires that have sat for a long time can develop flat spots or sidewall cracks.
- Test all lights — running, brake, turn, and reverse. Have a partner watch while you cycle through each.
- Check the brakes if you have a towable. Test brake controller function with a low-speed roll test.
- Top off the batteries and confirm the converter/inverter is working.
- Verify propane levels and that the regulator is functioning.
- Plan your route. Apps like RV Trip Wizard or Allstays flag low bridges, weight limits, and tight turns. Avoid surprises.
The Day Before
- Dump and rinse the black and grey tanks. You don't want to travel with full waste tanks.
- Fill fresh water only as much as you need. Water is heavy (8.3 lbs/gallon) — extra weight burns fuel.
- Stow loose items inside cabinets, drawers, and on counters. What doesn't move when parked will become a projectile on the road.
- Secure the refrigerator — latch the door, and switch to propane or 12V mode as appropriate for travel.
- Check fluid levels on the motorhome: engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, windshield washer.
Inside Walk-Through (just before pulling out)
- All cabinets, drawers, and the refrigerator are latched.
- TVs, monitors, and loose electronics are off and secured.
- The shower door is latched.
- Roof vents and skylights are closed.
- The furnace and water heater are off (or in travel mode).
- The step is retracted if you have an electric one.
- Slides are in — verify each one is fully retracted and the seals are clean.
Outside Walk-Around
- Awning is fully retracted and locked. Travel locks engaged.
- TV antenna is down. (One of the most-forgotten items.)
- All external doors (basement compartments, water and electrical hookups, propane locker) are closed and latched.
- Hoses, cords, sewer line are disconnected, drained, and stowed.
- Chocks and leveling jacks/blocks are removed and put away.
- Mirrors are clean and adjusted for the road.
- Tire pressure verified one more time (visual check at minimum).
If You're Towing or Being Towed
- Hitch is properly engaged and safety chains are crossed beneath the coupler.
- Breakaway cable is attached to the tow vehicle (not the safety chain — directly to the vehicle).
- 7-pin connector is plugged in and lights are confirmed working.
- Brake controller is set to your usual gain. Test before merging onto the highway.
- For 5th-wheels: jaws are closed and pinned. Do a tug test in low range before driving off.
The Final Walk-Around
Before you leave the lot, do one last lap around the rig with fresh eyes. Look up (roof items put away?), down (chocks pulled?), and around (anything still on the picnic table?). The Roost neighbors will wave you off — and we'll be glad to see you when you come back.
One of the joys of co-op life is the breadth of experience around you. Whatever your RV question — from leveling a stubborn slide-out to picking a tow vehicle to deciphering an error code — odds are good somebody at the Roost has been there and solved it. Coffee Klatch each morning is the unofficial RV Q&A session. Bring your question and a willingness to listen; you'll often leave with the answer and a new friend.
If you'd like to share your own RV tips on this page, just let the office know and we'll add them.
Take care of your rig — and it'll take care of you
A little maintenance now saves a lot of trouble later. Welcome to the Roost.