Maintenance and housekeeping

Wednesday, 09, Dec 2009 07:49

Modern caravans are often trumpeted as all-weather robust vehicles that require little upkeep. However those who have toured for years will know that a well-kept caravan requires occasional maintenance to ensure that there are no leaks and creaks on the big week away. Some are tempted to take their caravan out of storage and straight onto the road, and experts find that it pays to know what to check before embarking on a journey.

Below we offer ten tips to help maintain your caravan.

Tyre pressure

This is one of the most important areas in caravan maintenance. The tyre pressure and tread depths should be checked regularly as these are the parts which come into contact with the road and so receive most wear. You can use a 20p piece to check the depth of your tyres are sufficient. If once the 20p has been inserted in between the tread, the outer band of the coin is showing, then your tyres are worn and need replacing.

Tyres that are inflated to the optimum pressure also help in maintaining good fuel economy.

Handbrake

This device is the difference between your caravan staying put at a site, or embarrasingly rolling down a hill! The best advice is to make sure the handbrake moves freely by pulling, and then releasing the lever a number of times. If the handbrake is stiff then you can use general purpose oil to lubricate and then adjust.

Battery

The heart of the electronic equipment is something you do not want to be without on a trip. If your caravan has been in storage for the winter it should have been removed and occasionally charged in order to maintain its working order. It's also worth checking the level of the electrolyte and topping this

Appliances

Modern caravans increasinly have more sophisticated cooking and heating equipment on board. In order to check that they are in good working order before a holiday, couple up a gas cylinder every so often to test them.

Water system

This is one of the onboard systems that doesn't always come to mind when doing checks. However after taking a 'van out of storage it is worth checking and flushing your water system. Cleansing agents (such as Milton) will help sterelise the system and remove anything left. Replacement water filters are readily available and should be the last step in the process.

Annual gas and electrics safety check

They say that a caravan is a home on wheels, and your 'van is no different when it comes to the issue of appliance safety. The gas system, the mains electricity and the refrigerator should all be serviced by an expert. And in the same way as house inspections, it is worth asking for a certificate to ensure the work is correctly carried out by a specialist.

Brakes

Finally, make sure that your caravan brakes receive a service every so often. If you hear that telltale thumping while on the move this probably means that the dampers are failing, which can make for a less safe and smooth ride.