Taking good care of your vehicle is the best way to make it last. Between the miles swallowed, the regular excursions, the driving rain, the blazing sun, even the snow, your vehicle is subjected to many pressures. Here's our advice on home maintenance to ensure the longevity of your motorhome.

1 - Stay waterproof and weatherproof

Like any vehicle that spends time outdoors, a motorhome is subject to the vagaries of the weather. That's why it's important to carry out an annual waterproofing check. This enables us to detect and remedy any traces of dampness as quickly as possible. In the event of bodywork damage or infiltration, we advise you to have your vehicle repaired as soon as possible by your dealer.

2 - Taking care of your bodywork

"A motorhome is a fragile vehicle," says Claude, who has been camping for 20 years. For him, regular cleaning of the bodywork is the best way to identify any infiltrations. It also allows us to assess the condition of the vehicle's seals.

Because of its size, a motorhome cannot be washed under a gantry crane. It does, however, tolerate high-pressure cleaning, provided you keep the right distances. "50 cm for the rocker panels and 80 cm for the bodywork. Claude uses a bucket of soapy water, a telescopic broom... and elbow grease. "I rinse with a high-pressure cleaner and, above all, I spray the roof to prevent water from stagnating and mould from developing, especially when we park under trees".

Magic sponges and eraser blocks can help you get rid of stubborn stains and micro-scratches. Clay stone and white vinegar are recommended for black runs. Silicone spray will be your best ally for taking care of opening seals (skylights, doors...). Finally, if you want a shine, once your vehicle is dry, you can apply a coat of chamois leather.

3 - Clean the cell thoroughly.

Humidity is your motorhome's worst enemy. "Like your home, you need to air it regularly," notes Claude. You can take advantage of the autumn and spring clean-ups to scrub your motorhome from top to bottom. Vacuum everywhere, including the cabin. Toilets, kitchen, bed, closet - do a complete check-up. Inside and out, we take care of the joints.

Use your usual household products. When it comes to natural products, motorhome users recommend white vinegar, black soap and Marseille soap, baking soda...and lemon. Finally, clay is an excellent odor absorber.

When winterizing, empty your vehicle completely. Don't leave any food in your storage compartments, and empty your fridge too. Food attracts rodents, which could take up residence in your motorhome and cause serious damage. Remember to leave the fridge door open. "We leave a skylight open for ventilation, install a small moisture absorber and use anti-mouse protection," adds Claude.

4 - Draining water and maintaining tanks

The clean water tank stores your motorhome's clean water. This water will be used for domestic purposes and is not intended for drinking. The tank needs cleaning at least once a year. It's advisable to renew unused water regularly, to avoid the development of bacteria. Claude adds an anti-algae additive. "When it's time to winterize, you need to drain all the tanks, especially the pipes, to avoid frost damage", warns Marc.

Sewage tanks can give off unpleasant odours that will rise via the siphons. They therefore need to be cleaned more regularly. Several products can be used for this purpose: detergent, bleach, RV-specific products, natural products. More surprisingly, some users praise the merits of Steradent. Yes, yes, the denture cleaner. During these cleaning operations, it's always advisable to drive a little so that the products impregnate the walls of pipes and tanks. Rinse with clean water.

5 - Cleaning toilets

It may seem obvious, but taking care of your toilet is a sine qua non when motorhoming. Let's distinguish here between the bowl and the cassette. You can wash the bowl in the conventional way.

The cassette receives the residues from your flush. It is emptied regularly and washed when emptied. To do this, use toilet cleaner, diluted with water. Add a little regenerating salt (dishwasher descaler), mix and rinse with plenty of clean water. It's not necessary to empty the cassette before each run, but only when it's full. This is because, as you roll, stirring makes the water-paper-material mixture more homogeneous. Be careful, however, not to wait too long between cleanings...

6 - Saving batteries

Even when not in use, a battery will still wear out. We recommend recharging batteries at the 220-volt socket at least once a month for 72 consecutive hours. After three weeks, a discharged battery can no longer be recharged properly and will wear out prematurely.

If your motorhome is immobilized, particularly during winter storage, or if you don't drive at all, it's advisable to disconnect the batteries from the cell or even the carrier. This prevents them from discharging as a result of hidden consumption: accessories, on-board computers, alarms, on-board electronics and various electrical leaks. Please note that you risk losing the vehicle's programming data if you disconnect the cab battery. You'll have to re-enter radio stations and settings, and electronic user codes. To avoid this, disconnect only the cell battery. "Whether for tires or batteries, the ideal is to run your vehicle once a month in the off-season," explains Marc.

7 - Park under cover.

Sun, rain, cold, frost, UV... To protect your motorhome when it's not on the road, it's best to shelter it. If you don't have a covered garage, there are alternative solutions: outdoor shelters, covers and rental shelters.

• Carports are modular in length and height, and available in a range of materials: wood, metal, PVC. Note, however, that they are rarely covered on all four sides, and do not fully protect your vehicle.
• Covers are the most economical way to protect your motorhome. Many models are available. They can be tedious to install.
• Shelter rental. There is one last solution, especially for winter storage. You can find long-term shelter with farmers or private individuals who rent out barns or sheds. There are also specialized companies. That's what Claude does: "We rent a shelter from a private individual. That way, our motorhome stays dry. We can leave a skylight open to ventilate it, which is not possible with a cover, for example. It also means we can take it out on the road from time to time, and have it ready for an impromptu trip.

8 - Mechanical maintenance

As with any car, your vehicle requires regular mechanical maintenance by a qualified professional. Be sure to record all mechanical work in your vehicle's maintenance booklet. This will make it easier to keep track of mechanics, and reassure buyers in the event of resale.

Even if you're not a mechanic, you can learn some good habits. Check oil, coolant and windscreen washer levels before every long trip. In a very simple way, your vehicle's engine deserves to be cleaned like the rest of its components. Removing the dirt that can clog filters is child's play. Simply spray a degreasing agent on the clogged areas and wipe clean with a clean cloth.

For any mechanical or maintenance questions, find the list of Autostar dealers near you here.

9 - Control tire pressure

Your tires are your guarantee of good roadholding. Given the weight of your vehicle, they are put to a severe test. That's why you need to check their pressure regularly, to make sure it's neither too high nor too low. Over-inflation accelerates tread wear, while under-inflation can cause tires to burst.

In addition to these checks, seasonal maintenance is essential. During the summer, it's a good idea to protect your tires to prevent premature wear caused by the sun and heat, especially when you're not driving for long periods. During winter, if your vehicle is not running, a slight over-inflation will prevent the tires from deforming. For Marc, there's no substitute for regular driving. "Some people choose to put their vehicles on jacks or stanchions. In that case, the jacks will wear out prematurely. It's better to have very sturdy stanchions if you want to avoid unpleasant surprises. In the low season, a 40 km outing once a month will suffice to maintain your vehicle and its tires.

10 - Fix any problems before getting back on the road

For Claude, there's nothing worse than downplaying a problem on a motorhome, whether mechanical, electrical or otherwise. "You always have to repair before you hit the road. If you don't, you run the risk of it getting worse along the way, and the bill being heavier when you arrive."