Top Tips to maintain your Caravans

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.