Top General Maintenance Tips for Caravans

Caravan maintenance is an important and essential activity that will not only save you money, but also prevent excessive damages from being incurred. It is possible that the caravan is standing in your garage for a few months and you have just taken it out. It is also possible that you have just returned from a road trip. In either case, it is important to inspect the caravan for signs of damage and get repair work done if required.

Here are some tips that will not only help you to maintain the caravan properly, but also ensure that you don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket for it.

Keep the Roof Covered

If your caravan is sitting idle, it is better to keep it covered. The longer you leave the roof exposed, the greater would be the damage inflicted on the roof. Falling debris will anyway cause damage. But if you leave dirt on for quite a long time, it can create a lot of problem which would prove to be an expensive affair. Would you want that to happen? Make sure that the roof is covered and even if you cover the entire caravan, try to pull it down and ensure a proper fit. Loose ends would result in flapping of the cover which would scrape against the paint and damage the surface.

Check the Sealing Periodically

The door, windows and roof on your caravan will have seals on them to prevent moisture and dirt from getting inside. The thick rubber seals need to be checked regularly for signs of damage. Remember, the older the seal, the more chances exist for leakage. As the rubber seal gets older, the material tends to dry out and develop cracks. It is these cracks that allow passage of moisture. If the seal is worn out, remove it completely and install a fresh seal.

Get the Engine Serviced

Do not neglect the engine under any circumstances. You need to get the oil changed on time. Failing to do so will affect your caravan’s engine. Also get the ignition checked. The engine needs to be in perfect working order for you to enjoy smooth operation and trouble free rides. A properly maintained engine would also have an optimized fuel consumption which means direct savings on fuel costs as well.

Clean at the First Sign of Fungal Growth or Dirt Accumulation

Have you seen green colored patches developing on the caravan’s surface? These are fungal growths that can cause damage to the surface if not treated in time. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to get it cleaned. You need to know the right cleaning method and have the right tools as well as cleaning agents to get the job done. If you are unsure about it, consult with a caravan service expert to get some friendly tips for keeping your caravan clean.

Inspect Your Caravan Awnings

Caravan awnings offer homely comfort and a great degree of convenience which comes as a huge relief when you are out there on the road. Make sure that the caravan awning is properly functional and the extending / contracting motion is smooth. Check the awning fabric for signs of damage. If needed, clean it thoroughly. Ask an awning expert for tips on how to clean a caravan awning.

Check the Tires

The tires are crucial to your caravan’s smooth performance because they support the entire weight of the vehicle and without a proper set of wheels, maneuvering the caravan would be very difficult. Plus, the risk of ending up in an accident is also high. Would you be willing to take such a risk? Inspect the tires for signs of damage, especially cracks, and determine their usability. Change it if there are cracks and you need to take the caravan out. This might seem like a hefty investment, but it will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Maintaining the caravan isn’t difficult if you do it on time. All it needs is timely intervention and proper cleaning to keep the caravan in proper health and running condition. Do you have any maintenance tips? Share them in the comments section below.