Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. That's what my dad used to tell me anyway. And it certainly applies to the RV lifestyle! If you're an avid RVer, then you know that RVs take work. And if you're new to RVing, you'll find this out quick enough. While hitching up an RV and hitting the open road on unforgettable adventures is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family, it does take work to do it right! RVs require maintenance in order to stay in their like-new condition, but with the right tools and a little know-how, you'll feel like an RV maintenance pro in no time. Over the years we've tried probably every RV tool and product on the shelves; some with success, and some not. Here are our top 10 favorite RV maintenance products that we'd recommend to any RV lover! 
- Rubber Roofing Coating System: Extend the life of your RV's rubber roof by using a two-step system by Dicor that cleans and protects the roof over your head. Dicor's two-step Rubber Roofing Coating System process involves first applying a cleaner/activator that prepares the roof for the application of the acrylic coating. The first step ensures that the coating adheres fully to the existing roofing. The second step adds a protective layer of weather and UV resistance, flexibility, and adhesion.
- Self-Leveling Lap Sealant: Every six months you'll want to inspect your RV for cracks in seals, vents, skylights, roof, and more. Dicor Self-Leveling Lap Sealant can be used anywhere water might be able to sneak in through a hole or crack. The caulking gun makes it easy to apply and it won't run or spread. It can be used on horizontal roof surfaces including rubber, TPO, metal, fiberglass, aluminum, or wood.
- Dry Lube Protectant: Protect your slide-out seals and other metal components with a high-quality lubricant! Any metal that's exposed to moisture can stop performing the way it's supposed to or stop working altogether. Use a lubricant like Protect All Dry Lube Protectant to make sure your RV's metal components like slide-out rails, gears, stabilizer jacks, entry steps, cables, and more stay slick and keep working smoothly.
- Holding Tank Deodorizer and Waste Digester: Whether you're heading out for a fun weekend of boondocking or an extended vacation with the family, you'll want to travel with a tank treatment that helps break down solid waste and cover up smells. There are plenty of products to choose from in the tank treatment aisle of your RV store, but we are loyal to a couple that have stood the test of time. Walex Bio-Pak Natural Holding Tank Deodorizer and Waste Digester comes in handy pre-measured packs that you just drop in for complete tank treatment. Another product we like is the cost-efficient Organic Happy Campers Holding Tank Treatment. If you're sensitive to scented products (or just don't like them), you'll like how this one is odor free! One scoop of this water-activated mineral blend treats a 40-gallon tank.
- Versatile Cleanser: Another environmentally friendly product we love is Simple Green! This versatile cleaner can be used in so many different ways to keep your RV clean, it's a no-brainer! Put it to use on your RV's exterior to remove black streaks and dirt. Clean off your patio furniture with it. Extend your RV's awning and give it a good cleaning with it. You can also use it on your camping accessories like a cooler, camping chairs, bikes (and bike rack), and so much more. You'll get a lot of mileage out of this concentrated cleaner!
- Electrical Grease: Just because your electrical wiring and connections might be out of sight does not mean they should be out of mind! Make sure you keep them working in tip-top shape by applying tune-up grease to them. Carry a tube of Permatex Dielectric Tune-Up Grease with you in your RV toolbox and apply it to your electrical connectors to keep corrosion at bay. Also apply it to spark plugs and boots so they don't get damaged by the elements. This is especially important if you regularly travel to areas by the coast where salt from the ocean can wreak havoc on your electrical components.
- RV Wax: Protect your RV from the elements by applying a coat of a wax formulated specifically for recreational vehicles, including RVs. Pro RV, Boat & Aircraft Wax is a one-step cleaner wax that multitasks by removing scratches, oxidation, black streaks, and more, and then adds a high-gloss shine and offers long-lasting protection from sun damage and dirt. A good rule of thumb is to apply this twice a year, possibly once before your maiden voyage of the year and then before you store it for the winter.
- Roof Repair Tape: Nothing can suck the fun out of an RVing excursion quicker than a roof that springs a leak. Don't let your vacation get all washed up by water damage that you could have prevented by adding a roll of EternaBond RoofSeal Sealant Tape to your RV toolbox. This ultra-sticky tape creates a watertight seal and it expands and contracts with changing weather conditions. And since it creates a watertight seal, you can also use it to repair your RV's tanks if they crack or break
- UV Protectant: Since our camping is done 100% in the summer, our RV gets a lot of sun exposure! Since we don't want it to be a sitting duck for UV damage, we use a UV protectant on it to give it an invisible shield against sun damage. No matter what season you camp in, the sun's rays can weaken and damage your RVs finish, so you'll want to treat it with a UV protectant like 303 Marine UV Protectant Spray made specifically for RVs and boats. Use it on your RV's rubber, finished leather, plastic, vinyl, PVC, and gel coat and fiberglass surfaces to protect against fading, discoloration, and damage from UV rays.
- Microfiber Cloths: Let's not forget about the inside of your RV, where you actually do most of the living! Campgrounds are notoriously dusty, and the opening and closing of your RV door lets in loads of dust and dirt particles that settle on the surfaces of the inside of your RV. Do you really want to see a film of dust on your dinette when you sit down for dinner? Or feel grainy pieces of dirt on your feet when you walk around inside your RV? No! One simple and inexpensive way to combat this dirty problem is by using microfiber cloths to wipe down the surfaces in your RV. Just wet a cloth and wipe your countertops, stove, refrigerator front, bathroom surfaces, dinette, even the floor! They work amazingly well at picking up dirt and dust and they don't leave unsightly streaks behind. Toss them in the wash and they're ready to use again!
Do you have any favorite RV maintenance products that we didn't mention? Let us know and we'll give them a try! For all of your larger RV maintenance issues, come see us in the service department at Lakeshore RV in Muskegon, MI! Our team of highly skilled RV technicians can perform any RV maintenance and have you back on the road in no time! Or if you're in the market for a new or used RV, we have the largest selection of the best brands in the nation! And we sell them at prices that don't need any tweaking because they're the lowest anywhere! Call, click, or visit us in person today!
