Caravan Servicing

Regular servicing helps prevent the risk of accidents, decreases expenses for possible repair jobs in the future and considerably extends the lifespan of your caravan. In some instances, failure to perform regular servicing can even void your warranty. When travelling the country, caravans are often towed across harsh environments where excess dust can significantly infiltrate the bearings of the unit. The gas and water plumbing system of your caravan can also be affected by repetitive vibrations, and you may even find some electrical or waterproofing issues occur along the way. Unfortunately, failure to regularly service your caravan significantly increases the likelihood of one or more of these issues occurring during your next trip.

Marlon Barrie, service manager of Sunshine Coast Caravan Fix, is a caravan servicing expert, and recently explained the ins and outs of servicing your caravan, including what a service schedule involves.

Caravan Fix highlights that is important to choose a comprehensive level of service and confirm with the repairer what level of service they will offer. There is more to servicing than just brakes and bearings. For preventative maintenance, try to opt for a full service, which includes the inside and outside of the caravan and a thorough check of all seals.

Regular Service Routine

Service schedules state a date and kilometres, whichever comes first, to indicate when the next service should be performed. If you service your caravan and only use it just once in a 12-month period, it is still due for its next service on the specified date. Even when a caravan is used irregularly throughout the year, there are still many servicing factors to consider, such as weight on the bearings, axles and suspension, and the fact that if the parts are not moving, neither is the grease to lubricate. Weather can also cause havoc on seals.

Recording Mileage

Without an odometer on your caravan, you will need to keep track of the mileage. Simply record your tow vehicles odometer at the start and end of each trip and calculate the difference being mileage travelled. Keep these with your caravan records.

Essential Services

• Begin with the running gear of the unit, including the caravan’s brakes, bearings, coupling, handbrake, and chassis. It is also handy to record and compare information in the service handbook if it is still available, as it will outline what specifically should be addressed in the caravan and when.

• Look over the caravan’s seal condition, including an inspection of the seals around windows and hatches. Having an eye for detail will help you find any hairline cracks or a pinhole opening. It is also a good idea for a professional to check over the caravan and prepare a seal condition report. While this may be expensive, it will provide additional preventative maintenance. The report is also great if you are considering selling as it provides prospective buyers with confidence that they are not buying a caravan with an expensive issue.

• Keep an eye out for any water damage inside the caravan, which might present itself as stains, cuts, or dimpling to the internal wall and ceiling ply. It is also important to check inside all cupboards for water damage. If you do discover water damage, you will find that a seal has opened.

Additional Servicing Factors to Keep an Eye On

When servicing your caravan, there are additional factors you must consider, such as:

• Tyre pressures. The pressure of your caravan’s tyres should be maintained at the manufacturers recommended pressure, and this information can be found on the VIN or compliance plate. You should check the tyres for any signs of wear, as this may indicate the pressure requires correcting or there may be an alignment issue. Also check the date and age of the tyres, which can be found on the tyre placard and on the tyre sidewall. Rubber also has the tendency to harden overtime, particularly as the tyres reach the end of their life, and when this occurs, they are more susceptible to blowouts. A tyre blowout can be extremely dangerous and could cause you to lose control of the caravan, or the unit itself can be damaged. It is also important to note that if you have your caravan professionally serviced, you do not need to rotate your caravan tyres yourself as this makes it difficult for the mechanic to identify potential suspension and wheel alignment issues at the next scheduled service.

• In some instances, vital safety equipment can fail, and you can end up with a broken breakaway switch, severed cables and flat batteries. Before taking off on your next trip, Caravan Fix recommends pulling the breakaway cord out the switch before hitching up and before taking off. From here, move the caravan approximately one metre forward and this will indicate whether the breakaway unit is operating correctly or not. It is important not to tangle the cables within your chain and should be independent all the way to the attachment point on the tow vehicle.

• If you have a hot water service that has an anode rod, test that too. If you are using bore water in your caravan, it is better to check the anode more frequently. Failing to replace an anode in time could leave to the tank rusting, splitting and rupturing.

Don’t let caravan service be an afterthought. Regular maintenance decreases the likelihood of issues occurring on your next big trip and helps prevent costly repairs overtime. If you are thinking about performing a DIY repair, keep in mind your capabilities, and if it requires a licensed technician, always consult a professional. Remember, a regular service routine goes a long way in preventing the risk of accidents, decreases expenses for possible repair jobs in the future and considerably extends the lifespan of your caravan.