Now's a good time to tune up your camping rig after winter storage. Before you leave the driveway, here are some tips from Harvey Valdez, the service manager at Nelson's RV's in Garden City. If you feel uncomfortable doing a pre-season tuneup, call a reputable dealer. Some have spring check-up deals.

FLUSH THE WATER SYSTEM

Depending on how you winterized your RV, you'll need to clean out and sanitize the water system if you used nontoxic antifreeze. You'll need to pressure up the system and inspect for water leaks.

LOOK FOR CRACKS

Check the roof and exterior body seals. Before you repair a crack, consult a dealer to determine the proper type of sealant to use.

CLEAN UP AND LUBE

Wash your RV and clean the exterior steps. Lube all locks and exterior steps.

RECHARGE THE BATTERIES

If your coach or chassis batteries were removed for storage over the winter, re-install them and check the electrolyte-water levels. Clean the terminals and clamps. Charge the batteries as necessary.

REFRESH FIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Check and replace the batteries in the smoke and carbon dioxide detectors. Make sure fire extinguishers are up to date and work.

CHECK THE LIGHTS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Replace interior and exterior bulbs and look for loose or worn wiring. If appliances work on 110-volt power, make sure that the RV is plugged into shore power to test appliances. Test all the 110 outlets inside the RV.

TEST THE BRAKES

Look under the unit and make sure that wires at the back of the hub are connected. You can hook up your vehicle to the trailer and apply the brakes to see if trailer brakes are engaging.

CLEAN THE STOVE AND FURNACE

Before you start any appliances, makes sure to blow them out with air to get any cobwebs or insect nests out.

FILL YOUR TIRES

Make sure they're filled to the correct cold pressure. Check for weathering on the sidewalls and make sure the lug nuts are properly tightened.

LUBE POP-UP SYSTEMS

If you have a tent trailer or pop-up camper, lube gears, cranks and other mechanisms. Check for tears or leaks in the tent fabric and repair them.

TEST PROPANE APPLIANCES

You should have your propane gas system checked every year by a qualified technician. After it is done, turn on any appliances that use propane and make sure they work. Fill your tank.

RESTOCK CAMPING GEAR

Replace things like chairs, pots, pans, Dutch ovens, cooking utensils or flashlights that you might have taken out for the winter. It's a good idea to make a checklist of things you will need if you're going camping.