Good caravan maintenance keeps your tourer safe, dry and worth more when you come to sell. This guide brings all the maintenance advice on Caravan Adventuring together in one place.
A caravan is a home on wheels. So it needs looking after on two fronts: the road parts and the living space. Regular caravan maintenance catches small problems before they become expensive ones.
Above all, it keeps you safe. Tyres, brakes, gas and electrics all need regular checks. In addition, a full service history helps protect your warranty and resale value.
Most of the work is simple, and you can do much of it yourself. However, the yearly service is a job for a trained technician. New to touring? Start with the New to Caravanning page.
These are the two big jobs each year. Often, they’re booked together.
Most touring caravans should have a full service every 12 months. It covers the running gear, body, gas, electrics, water system and fitted safety equipment.
If your caravan is under warranty, the manufacturer’s deadline always comes first.
Most manufacturers recommend a habitation check every year. It looks at the living area, including gas, electrics, water, ventilation and damp.
The guide also explains typical costs and what’s included.
Looking for a workshop? Search the Approved Workshop Scheme for an approved caravan service centre near you.
Check tyre pressures, the hitch, lights and the breakaway cable. Then do a final walk around before you set off.
Book the annual service and habitation check. Also, test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Get ready for winter storage. Drain the water system, clean inside, guard against damp and keep the battery charged.
Have the tyres inspected once they reach five years old. Replace them at around five to seven years, whatever the tread looks like.
Moist air meets cold surfaces and turns to water. Better airflow, such as open roof vents, is usually the best fix.
A soft or springy floor can mean the layers have separated. However, water damage can feel the same, so confirm the cause first.
Prepare your caravan properly before it’s laid up. As a result, it’ll be ready to go next season.
Tyres age even when the tread looks fine. So learn how to read the date code, and remember the spare ages too.
Keep the battery topped up and avoid running it flat. In winter storage, recharge it regularly.
Fit working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Also, keep an extinguisher near the door and a fire blanket within reach.
A hitch lock and wheel clamp together give far stronger protection than either one alone.
Look for Sold Secure ratings on locks. In addition, a monitored tracker helps police recover a stolen caravan.
Specialist caravan cleaners are safer than household products. For example, acrylic windows scratch easily and need gentle care.
Most touring caravans should have a full service every 12 months. However, always follow your manufacturer’s warranty terms first. The servicing intervals guide explains more.
A habitation check looks at the living area, such as gas, electrics, water and damp. Meanwhile, a full service also covers the running gear and body. So many owners book both together.
Yes, much of it. Checking tyres, cleaning, charging the battery and preventing damp are all simple jobs. However, gas and the yearly service should be left to a trained technician.
Keep air moving, and don’t block the vents. In addition, read the guides on condensation and winter storage. The habitation check also includes a damp test.
Much of it does, especially damp, the habitation area, tyres, the battery and security. However, a motorhome also needs its engine servicing and an MOT.
Got a maintenance question? Ellie can help, or see the full caravan checklists.
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