Caravans and motorhomes are vehicles that offer you a comfortable place that serves as home while you’re travelling. As caravan or motorhome owners, are responsible for keeping your recreational vehicles (RVs) in the best condition. It’s important to send your RVs to the professionals for a regular caravan and motorhome servicing to ensure they stay safe and equipped for a long journey.
Why is caravan and motorhome servicing important?
Caravan and motorhome servicing is an essential part of RV maintenance. Regular caravan/motorhome servicing helps prevent risks of accidents caused by failure of your RV or any of its parts. By having it serviced regularly, you will help prevent major damage to the vehicle, save on any expensive repair jobs, and ultimately extending the lifespan of your caravan/motorhome.
How often should a caravan/motorhome regularly need a maintenance service?
If you want to keep your caravan and/or motorhome safe and road-ready, you should always stay on top of the recommended servicing and maintenance schedule. Typically, a caravan or motorhome should be taken to the professionals after every 10,000 kms or at least once a year, whichever comes first. Most importantly, you should have it checked by an expert whenever you notice any issues with the vehicle.
What is involved in a caravan and motorhome servicing?
Both caravans and motorhomes have several components that wear out from constant use. Every small component is important – all should be checked and maintained regularly, and replaced when necessary. Different caravan and motorhome experts offer different types of services. A standard caravan/motorhome servicing involves inspection of all parts, and making sure these parts are properly attached to the vehicle and are well-lubricated.
The following are the most common services that are done during a regular caravan/motorhome maintenance check:
1. Safety Inspection of All Parts
Proper safety inspection ensures that your caravan is safe and ready for any long travel. Some of the components that are inspected include:
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- Fire safety – an RV should have a valid fire extinguisher and working smoke detector
- Connection cables – ground-fault protection
- All appliances inside the caravan/motorhome – all appliances should function properly
- Headlights– inspection of the headlights, left and right indicators, fog lamps, hazard warning lights and reversing lights. The glass lenses should not have any cracks and must be clean and clear
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- A-frame and chassis – there should be no distortion, cracks or separation of components
- Electric brakes and park brakes – operation and cable adjustment should be working properly
- Brake wiring – inspection of tears or loose connections in the wires
- Wheel nuts – they should be tightly attached
- Bearings – detection of possible damage
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- Suspension and control arm mounting bolts – bolts and locknuts should be working and tightly torqued
- Shock absorbers – the locknuts of mounting bolts should be tight and should not have any leakage
- Battery connections – batteries should be properly connected and charged
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- Jockey wheel and mounting jacket – inspection of any damage
- Tyre pressure, balance and wheel alignment – should be done after every 10,000 kms
- Suspension – should be lubricated properly
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- Tow coupling – the locknuts of coupling bolts should be tight
- Springs – detection of sagging, cracks, distortion or breakage
- Windows and body work – should have no small gaps
- Safety chains – link damage inspection
- Water system – water should flow well and filters should be changed as needed
- Water tanks – detection of cracks or breaks to prevent leakage
- All other moving parts – they should be properly lubricated and safely connected to the caravan/motorhome
2. Awnings
Awnings are an important accessory of a caravan/motorhome as they serve as an extension of your living space when camping. During a caravan and motorhome servicing, the awning is inspected to make sure the extending and contracting motion remains smooth. Awnings are also checked for signs of damage and are aligned when necessary.
3. Safety Sway Control System
A swaying rig can be very dangerous and may cause accidents while on the road. The sway control system of your caravan improves the overall safety of the rig, by it keeping the caravan aligned with the tow vehicle.
4. Vital Fluids
Vital fluids such as engine coolant, transmission fluid, and brake oil,should be checked regularly and topped up when necessary. You can do this on your own, but this is also filled up during a caravan and motorhome service.
5. Brake Magnets
During a caravan/motorhome service, brake magnets are tested to ensure that they are working properly so you can have a safe journey. Brake magnets typically last up to 50,000 kms of use.
6. Vents
The vents should not be blocked or obscured. During a service, the vents are cleaned and moulds and/or debris are removed.
7. Seals
Seals are present on the door, windows, and roof to prevent moisture and dirt from coming in. These seals can crack due to old age. They need to be inspected and replaced when needed.
8. Chassis
Cracks, dents, rust, chips, scratches, fatigue due to overuse, andr worn chassis parts can appear on the chassis. Chassis maintenance should be done every one to two years to prevent any serious damage.
Caravan & Motorhome Maintenance Tips
Here are simple maintenance tips that every caravan or motorhome owner should know to ensure safety and prevent damages:
- Regular maintenance, which is recommended at least once a year, helps prevent small issues from becoming more serious, dangerous and expensive to repair.
- Even an idle motorhome or caravan still needs special attention. You should still send your caravan/motorhome for a regular maintenance check even if you have not used it since your last service.
- Inspect your caravan/motorhome regularly for rust and mould, which can quickly develop when exposed to moisture. Both rust and mould can be difficult to get rid of once they have accumulated in your vehicle. Early detection is the best prevention .
- Keep your caravan or motorhome clean. Whether it’s on the road or idle , it’s essential to keep your recreational vehicle clean to prevent bacteria from growing.
- Choose a service centre you can trust. Make sure to entrust your caravan or motorhome only to the experienced professionals.
AllBrand Caravan Services offers a variety of caravan and motorhome products and services to make your road experience comfortable. Don’t hesitate to call us for any of your caravanning needs. Our experienced caravan specialists will be very happy to assist you. Call us today on (07) 3869 2969 or send us a message!
