A motorhome is really several things at once — a truck, a house, a water system, a power plant, a gas installation, heating, and air conditioning. Each part has its own service intervals, its own manufacturer, and its own manual. The chassis maker covers the engine. The bodybuilder handles the roof and windows. Victron documents batteries and inverters. Alde covers heating. Dometic the fridge. Nobody puts it all in one place.
This guide tries to fix that. It's not about teaching you to rebuild an engine or strip a gearbox — it's about knowing what to check and when, so a breakdown doesn't catch you somewhere far from home.
How to use this guide
Each chapter will include:
- how the system works,
- the most common causes of wear,
- recommended service intervals,
- a checklist,
- an approximate cost of preventive service,
- an approximate repair cost if maintenance is neglected.
This will let you build your own service plan regardless of whether you own a Phoenix, a Morelo, a Concorde, a Carthago, a Hymer, or any other motorhome.
Quick service overview
Before every trip
- Check the engine oil level.
- Check the coolant.
- Check the windshield washer fluid.
- Check tire pressure, including the spare.
- Inspect the tires for cracks or damage.
- Verify that all lights are working.
- Check for any fluid leaks underneath the vehicle.
- Close all roof windows.
- Lock the cabinets and drawers.
- Secure the awning.
- Retract the hydraulic levelling jacks.
- Retract the electric step.
- Lock the garage doors.
After returning from a longer trip
- Empty the waste tank.
- Flush the cassette toilet or ceramic toilet.
- Charge all batteries to 100%.
- Check the chassis for fluid leaks.
- Wash the solar panels.
- Clean the fridge.
- Air out the interior.
Every month
- Re-check tire pressure.
- Check the starter battery condition.
- Check the LiFePO₄ batteries.
- Test the residual current device (RCD/GFCI).
- Check Victron system alarms.
- Verify the inverter and charger are working correctly.
- Inspect the accessory belt.
- Check the alternator.
Every 20,000 km or 1 year
- Engine oil.
- Oil filter.
- Chassis inspection.
- Brake inspection.
- Steering inspection.
- Shock absorber inspection.
- Hose inspection.
- Engine seal inspection.
Every 40,000 km
- Fuel filter.
- Cabin filter.
- Brake pad inspection.
- Brake disc inspection.
- Wheel alignment check.
Every 60,000 km
- Air filter.
- Belt inspection.
- Tensioner inspection.
- Turbo inspection.
- Intake inspection.
Every 80,000–100,000 km
- Automatic transmission oil change.
- Automatic transmission filter change.
- Transmission cooler inspection.
- Transmission adaptation after service (if recommended by the manufacturer).
Every 100,000 km
- Differential oil change.
- Driveshaft inspection.
- Bearing inspection.
- Universal joint (cross) inspection.
Every 2 years
- Brake fluid.
- Air conditioning service.
- Water system disinfection.
- Gas installation inspection.
- Heating system inspection.
Every 3–5 years
- Coolant (per manufacturer specification).
- Inspection of all rubber hoses.
- Inspection of rubber bushings.
- Roof sealant inspection.
- Inspection of all roof penetrations.
How much does prevention cost, and how much does a repair cost?
| Component | Preventive service | Repair if neglected |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | €160–320 | €6,000–20,000 |
| Automatic transmission | €480–800 | €4,800–10,000 |
| Differential | €120–240 | €2,400–4,800 |
| Brake fluid | €40–120 | Risk of significantly reduced braking performance |
| Roof sealant | A few hundred euros | Tens of thousands of euros in the case of long-term water ingress |
What comes next?
This article is the introduction to the whole series.
In the following chapters, we'll cover every system of the motorhome in detail:
- Engine
- Automatic transmission
- Differential
- Brakes
- Chassis
- Tires
- Electrical system
- LiFePO₄ batteries
- Solar system
- Victron
- Water system
- Gas installation
- Alde and Truma heating
- Air conditioning
- Roof windows
- Awning
- Anti-corrosion protection
- Winterizing
- Spring start-up
- Complete service log
Our goal is to map out preventive motorhome maintenance end-to-end — one that helps owners extend the life of their vehicles, increase reliability on the road, and avoid unnecessarily expensive repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What needs to be serviced in a motorhome and how often?
A motorhome combines a truck (chassis, engine, gearbox), a house (roof, seals, windows, water systems), a power plant (batteries, solar, inverter), and a gas system. Each part has different intervals — from pre-trip checks to annual chassis service to a 5-year gas system inspection.
Are motorhome service intervals different from a passenger car?
Yes, significantly. The chassis (engine, oil, filters) follows the chassis manufacturer's recommendations — for the Iveco Daily every 20,000 km. Additional coachwork-specific checks include roof seals, solar panels, waste tank, pump, boiler, gas valves, and battery system.
What to check before every motorhome trip?
Before every trip: oil and coolant level, tyre pressure (including spare), lights, roof and window seals, water and gas supplies, battery charge, brake and parking function. Five minutes before departure saves hours of roadside repairs.
What does neglecting preventive motorhome service cost?
Neglected roof seal → damaged wooden coachwork structure: €1,000–5,000+. Neglected tyres → blowout on the motorway with a heavy vehicle: towing, hotel, repairs. Neglected brakes → late discovery at inspection: many times the cost of preventive replacement. Prevention is always cheaper.