Having caravan allows you to go on a holiday almost anywhere
around the country, but a caravan is a substantial investment that requires a
reasonable amount of care such as using caravan covers and spending the time to
maintain it properly.
To keep your caravan in top condition, here are some top
tips
Make an annual audit
of your caravan
In order to ensure your van is ready for your next holiday
conduct a full audit of the working parts, several months before you plan on
using it. The things to check are:
·
Wheels
and tyres
Check the condition and tread of your tyres and inspect the wheel
rims for dents or cracks. This is also a good time to check the bearings and
brakes. Tighten the wheel nuts and make sure the tyre air pressure is set at
the manufacturer’s recommended pressure
·
Lights
and electrics
Your external lights are an important safety feature of your
caravan, so ensure they are clean and function properly. The internal lights
and power fittings also need to be checked as a fault here could not only cause
accidents, but become a fire hazard.
Check the external power fittings are waterproof and in good
condition.
If you have solar panels check they are fixed securely and
that all wiring and connections are in good condition. Check the batteries and
do any required maintenance
·
Gas
bottle and fittings
Make sure your gas bottles are full and do not leak. Check
all the gas lines as a gas leak inside a caravan is not only very inconvenient,
but can lead to a real disaster
·
Check the
fresh water
The fresh water tank needs to be drained and the water
replaced at least once a year as stale water is unpleasant and can harm your
system. It also makes toilets and showers unpleasant to use.
Any gray water tanks should also be flushed out and left
full of clean water that can be drained just before your next trip.
Sewage tanks should be emptied as soon as you return home
from a trip and flushed properly. They should be filled with fresh water and
drained before your next trip
Check for any water leaks and repair any you find as a water
leak can quickly cause damage to your van.
Remove your caravan
covers and check the exterior
All door and window seals need to be inspected and cleaned
as necessary. All air vents need to be cleaned.
Check all your external hardware such as aerials, dishes,
air conditioners solar showers and CCTV to ensure they are correctly mounted
and in working order
Check the awning to make sure it’s free from tears or damage
and is clean and working correctly.
Check your paint for scratches or signs of wear and clean both
the inside and outside, use a suitable caravan polish or wax before replacing
the caravan cover.
Replace your caravan cover after you complete your full
maintenance audit
In order to keep your caravan in top order use a quality
caravan cover and make a maintenance audit a few months before you intend to go
on a trip. Ensure everything is clean and working properly, especially the
wheels, tyres, breaks, fresh water and waste water systems, electrics and gas.
