There’s nothing better than heading off on a caravan holiday! You’ve booked your destination and planned your trip, but have you made sure your van is ready to hit the road? There’s a lot more to caravan trips than just hitching your van and driving off. Firstly, if you are new to towing, we highly recommend attending a towing course. Safe towing courses allow you to develop the skills and confidence needed for towing safely.
Next comes taking care of your caravan. Owning a van is a big investment, so you want to keep it in the best condition possible, making regular servicing and maintenance essential. Just like your car, regular caravan servicing should be completed by a licenced professional every 12 months or 10,000kms.
In between your servicing, complete regular maintenance to identify and potentially fix any issues you may find. Regular servicing and preventative maintenance will maintain your van’s reliability, safety and road worthiness. This will keep you safer on the roads and avoid costly repairs.
Caravan Storage Tips:
- Always store your caravan carefully, a garage or undercover area is best. Where this is not possible look at using a breathable cover.
- When storing for periods of time it is best to:
- Jack the van to protect the tyres
- Remove soft furnishings; such as curtains and cushions
- Remove any perishable food items
- Clean out the fridge completely and keep the door open to prevent mildew
- Switch off all gas bottles and appliances
- Switch off electrical appliances
Caravan Maintenance Tips:
- Regularly inspect the van for any signs of damage to the outside or seals.
- Check the tyres to look for any signs of wear and tear.
- Ensure all internal lights are working and check road lights for damage or dirt. If necessary clean them and replace bulbs. It’s also a good idea to have replacement light bulbs available when travelling.
- Ensure all leads and plugs connected to your car work.
- Take your RV for a test run to make sure the brakes are still working. You can also check the handbrake is still in good condition.
- When not in use, we recommend charging your battery once a month.
- For your safety smoke alarms should be checked and their batteries replaced regularly. Also make sure that the fire extinguisher is still in date.
- Cleaning your RV regularly will keep it looking as good as new and in tip top condition. Leaving dirt can deteriorate the surface. When cleaning avoid using high pressure cleaners as water might get into gaps or weak seals.
- Clean water supply is important, so check the water tanks and hoses for any signs of leaking, mould, rust or cracking.
Pre-Trip Checks
Before any trip, take the time to follow some simple pre-trip checks to avoid common safety mistakes. Our caravan sales partner, Avan Adelaide have put together some quick and easy pre trip caravan checks.
Being an RV owner comes with responsibility and it’s essential to look after it well to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort when travelling. For any further information on keeping your van in tip top condition, call our workshop team on 08 8266 5779. Our qualified team can service all makes and models and are happy to help can with any questions you may have.
Have you damaged your van or had an accident? Don't panic! Contact ACR, the trusted experts in caravan repairs Adelaide and caravan insurance repairs.