We once had a rental owner call in after their RV’s air conditioner gave out halfway through a July booking. “I had it serviced last year,” he said. The rig had gone out 17 times since.
When you rent your RV, you’re not just managing a vehicle—you’re managing a business. And like any business, success comes down to systems. One of the most important? Your RV service schedule.
At RVM, we’ve helped owners avoid the common (and costly) mistake of thinking annual maintenance is enough. When renters are regularly using your rig, your service schedule needs to match that pace.
Let’s break down what that looks like in real life.
Table of Contents
- Why Service Frequency Matters More with Rentals
- Oil Changes & Engine Maintenance (If You Drive It)
- Generator Use = Generator Service
- Brake, Bearing & Tire Maintenance: Don’t Skip It
- HVAC Systems: Your Renters Will Notice
- Slide-Outs, Jacks & Moving Parts
- Tanks & Plumbing: Clean Rigs Book Better
- Seals, Roof & Exterior Checks: Seasonal Musts
- Post-Rental “Mini Service” Routine
- Creating a Custom Service Schedule That Fits
- Final Word: Happy Renters Start with a Healthy Rig
1. Why Service Frequency Matters More with Rentals
Your renters don’t know your RV like you do. They’ll run the AC nonstop, slam cabinet doors, forget to retract the steps, and cook bacon inside with all the windows closed.
In short: your rig gets used harder, faster. So your service schedule can’t look like the average weekend warrior’s.
Real Example:
Nina in Nevada rented out her travel trailer 12 weekends in a row without checking the tires once. On the 13th booking, a blowout on I-15 caused $1,500 in undercarriage damage. Preventable—with a 5-minute pressure check every couple of trips.
2. Oil Changes & Engine Maintenance (If You Drive It)
For motorhomes (Class A, B, or C), mileage-based service is still the rule, but rental frequency changes how fast you hit those intervals.
Guideline:
- Every 3,000–5,000 miles: Oil & filter change
- Every 12,000–15,000 miles: Air filter, belts, spark plugs
- Annually: Full inspection of belts, hoses, and fluids (even if mileage is low)
Example:
Mike’s Class C did 9,000 miles in six months due to heavy summer rentals. He scheduled two oil changes during that window—and avoided the engine knocking issues his neighbor dealt with from pushing it too far.
3. Generator Use = Generator Service
Renters LOVE using your generator… and rarely think to check the oil.
Manufacturer Rule of Thumb:
- Every 100 hours: Change oil and filter
- Monthly (if not in use): Run it under load for at least 30 minutes
Example:
A rental owner in Texas saw their generator die on day 3 of a festival booking. The issue? Old oil thickened up and clogged the unit. The result: a lost booking and a $400 repair.
4. Brake, Bearing & Tire Maintenance: Don’t Skip It
Tires are the unsung heroes of your rental RV. And wheel bearings? Ignore them, and you’ll hear about it at highway speed.
Recommended Intervals:
- Before each rental: Tire pressure & visual check
- Every 12,000 miles or annually: Repack wheel bearings
- Every 3–5 years: Replace tires regardless of tread
Example:
Sarah, an RVM client, sets a recurring reminder: tire pressure check after every 2 rentals, full axle check every spring. Zero road issues in 4 seasons of renting.
5. HVAC Systems: Your Renters Will Notice
If the AC goes out on a July trip, expect a refund request. It’s one of the most renter-sensitive systems in your rig.
Maintenance Tips:
- Monthly during peak season: Clean filters
- Seasonally: Check ducting, wiring, and refrigerant
- Annually: Full service (especially if bookings are frequent)
Example:
Chris installs new filters every 5–6 rentals and vacuums the return vent. He hasn’t had a single AC complaint in 2 years of summer rentals.
6. Slide-Outs, Jacks & Moving Parts
Slide-outs that stick, squeak, or jam make renters nervous—and make your rig look poorly maintained.
Best Practices:
- Monthly: Clean & lubricate slide tracks
- Before every rental: Test operation
- Annually: Check for motor wear, seal cracks, and misalignment
Example:
One RVM owner created a “pre-rental test drive” checklist and caught a failing slide motor before the guests did. That alone saved them a 2-star review.
7. Tanks & Plumbing: Clean Rigs Book Better
A sour smell from a gray tank can ruin the vibe before the guests even unpack. And trust us, renters don’t always flush things properly.
Smart Intervals:
- Every rental return: Sanitize black and gray tanks
- Every month: Flush fresh tank
- Seasonally: Check seals and inspect for leaks
Example:
One of our clients adds a tank deodorizer packet between rentals and uses a hose sprayer to fully flush the black tank. “It’s made a huge difference in smell—and guest reviews.”
8. Seals, Roof & Exterior Checks: Seasonal Musts
Think of this as “leak insurance.” These checks can save you thousands in water damage—and keep renters happy during rainy weather.
Checklist:
- Quarterly: Inspect roof seams, windows, and doors
- Annually: Reseal as needed (especially in hot or wet climates)
- After hail or heavy storms: Check for impact cracks
Example:
A Colorado owner didn’t check after a spring storm. A pinhole roof crack led to cabinet warping. Now she schedules biannual roof checks—no issues since.
9. Post-Rental “Mini Service” Routine
This is where good owners become great owners.
What to Check Between Rentals:
- Battery charge
- Propane level
- Water pump & tank sensors
- Tire pressure
- Generator oil level
- Air filter & HVAC function
- Slides, stairs, awnings (basic operation check)
Real Talk:
It takes 20–30 minutes. But skipping it means small issues snowball into emergency repairs. And your next guest could end up being the one to discover it.
10. Creating a Custom Service Schedule That Fits
Every RV is different—and so is every rental business. But building a service rhythm is easier when you treat it like mileage + calendar + usage.
Here’s how one owner does it:
- Every 3 rentals = deep clean + system check
- Monthly = roof & undercarriage inspection
- Every 6 months = professional tune-up
- Every 12 months = full interior/exterior overhaul
They even keep a laminated checklist inside their RV to track it all.
11. Final Word: Happy Renters Start with a Healthy Rig
There’s no single number for “how often” to service your rental RV—but there’s one rule you can trust:
Service more often than you think you need to.
Why? Because renters won’t treat your RV like you do. But if you stay ahead of the wear and tear, you’ll avoid bad reviews, boost your ROI, and keep that rig rolling strong all season long.
— The RVM Team
