DIY Caravan Health Checks: The Ultimate Guide

Any caravan is an investment - though some are, of course, less expensive than others. But whatever the cost, you shouldn’t neglect getting into the habit of carrying out caravan checks regularly. This can prevent further problems down the line, which can not only cost you more in the long run but could also steal valuable holiday time away from you while you’re waiting for repairs to be completed. Even if you’re the owner of a new caravan, it’s important to carry out regular checks to help keep your caravan in top shape. We’re here to show you how.

Essential Checks

1.   Tyres

The easiest and most important check to make is that your tyres are in good condition and safe. In the same way as cars, it’s essential to give your caravan tyres a full inspection, as waiting for a tyre to go completely flat can be dangerous.

• Look for signs of cracking and bulging on the tyre walls – flexing may appear where this occurs.
• Check the tyre pressure – using a digital pressure gauge, measure the pressure of your tyres and refer back to your manual to ensure that the required levels are being met. Use a tyre pump if necessary.
• Check your tyre tread – the legal limit for tyre tread depth on any car or caravan is 1.6mm, although many experts recommend 3mm or more. The easiest way to measure the tread is to grab a 20p and insert it into the grooves of the tyre – if you can see the outer band of the 20p, the tread isn’t meeting the legal limit and you must get new tyres fitted.

2.   Battery

12V of power is the crucial amount needed to run the utilities in your caravan – this leisure battery powers everything from the toilet flush and cooker to the heating and fridge. This means that nothing will work unless you’re plugged into the mains with your 230V hook-up cable. When it comes to checking your battery voltage, a multimeter should do the trick, or even a DIY tracker, which allows you to monitor your battery voltage remotely.

When checking the condition of the battery, the main thing to look out for is any bulging, as this indicates that the battery is failing. In this case, the battery must be removed and isolated as soon as possible before organising a new replacement.

3.   Water Systems

We’re sure your caravan is your pride and joy, so it’s important to protect interiors from water. Leaks in a caravan can be disastrous and it’s crucial that regular checks are carried out. Though damp can be seen by the naked eye, this is usually a sign that the situation has become advanced, so it’s a good idea to organise a damp check as part of your habitation service – a thorough inspection of your living space including heating, water, gas and electrical systems – once a year. This helps to tackle any small existing leaks or spills before they become too big to manage.

Not only should you carry out water checks on your own caravan, but it’s also a good idea to be aware of signs when looking to buy a caravan in general. When viewing caravans for sale, especially from used caravans from private sellers, a key thing to look out for is any sign of damp, or any smell of it throughout the interior space – this can be a major red flag when it comes to irreversible damage.

4.   Gas Systems

The hob won’t work without gas – it’s crucial for cooking whilst you’re away. Checking your gas bottle is incredibly quick and easy. You can either weight your gas cylinder to check how much gas you have left – for example, a 6kg Calor propane cylinder weighs 7.30-10.9kg when empty and 15-17kg when full. Many people decide that they prefer to get their gas bottles checked as part of their annual habitation service by a qualified engineer to ensure maximum safety and accuracy.

5.   Tow Bar

The towbar is critical for efficient towing. The tow ball, even when fitted with a friction stabiliser, can become dirty and grimy, so it’s important to remove any using a paper towel, or some brake cleaner spray for anything more stubborn. It’s a good idea to do this every time you tow your caravan to ensure effective and smooth towing.

As we’ve explained, regular DIY checks are essential to prevent further issues arising, and to ensure safe driving at all times. To maintain maximum efficiency, an annual habitation service is the best option in between DIY checks. As an NCC Approved Workshop here at Wandahome, we pride ourselves on being able to offer top-quality habitation services. Simply get in touch today to book a service.