6 Simple Tips That Will Help Preserve the Lifespan of Your Caravan

Purchasing a caravan is a serious investment and is one that you’d want to get the most out of. After all, you’re shelling out thousands of dollars for your new camping partner. While caravans are built to be robust, that doesn’t mean you should just leave yours outside and expose it to the elements. A bit of care can go a long way towards preserving the lifespan of your caravan so you can enjoy years worth of service from it. Here are 6 simple tips that will help keep your caravan in tip-top shape.

1. Conduct maintenance regularly

In order for your caravan to run smoothly, you want service to service it on a regular basis. As a general rule of thumb, your van should be serviced within three months of purchase and every 10,000 kilometres after that. Of course, this may vary depending on how often you go caravanning and the weather conditions you go out in. Maintaining a caravan is usually about servicing the following components:

• Removing the hubs, bearings, hub backing plate assemblies, and cleaning them.

• Replacing bearing seals and repacking wheel bearings.

• Checking the electronic brakes to ensure the pads aren’t worn out.

• Inspecting suspension components and greasing them if necessary.

• Checking the condition of the tires for wear.

• Inspecting the tow hitch, park brake, and jockey wheel.

Make sure to refer to the owner’s manual to determine which parts need servicing and how often to service your caravan.

2. Invest in caravan covers

If you don’t have a shed or garage to store your caravan, it’s worth investing in a high-quality caravan cover. The last thing you want is to expose your prized possession from the elements and cause the paint to fade, chip, and crack. The windows may also get scratched by outdoor debris which is why a caravan cover is a smart investment. When buying a caravan cover, it’s important that it fits snugly over your caravan. A too tight of a fit may tear up the cover and a too loose of a fit may cause the cover to flap and end up scratching your van.

3. Inspect all of the seals

An easy way to extend the service life of your caravan is to inspect its seals. It’s these components that protect your caravan from rain, moisture and leaking so it’s best to keep these seals intact as much as possible. Rubber seals can easily get cracked when exposed to hot, humid, and dusty conditions so check the following areas for damage and replace them if necessary:

• Door seals

• Window seals

• Roof seals

• Tailgate/boot seals

• Other moisture-protective seals

4. Avoid neglecting repairs

If you notice that the brakes aren’t performing well or if the paint is slowly chipping away, do not neglect them and attend to them immediately. When you forgo repairs, you’re only wearing down your caravan’s components even more which can prove costly down the line. The sooner you address these issues, the less damage your caravan will sustain. Again, it all comes down to following a regular maintenance schedule so you don’t overlook any signs of wear and tear on your caravan.

5. Clean your caravan the right way

Another tip to prolong the lifespan of your caravan is to clean it properly. You may be tempted to use a pressure washer to clean your van, but it’s better to reach for a garden hose or a pump spray instead. Higher pressures can damage the window seals and cause problematic leaks if you’re not careful. When cleaning, work from the top down so you don’t re-introduce dirt and debris on the caravan’s exterior.

We recommend using a long-handled brush and microfiber cleaning cloths to make your job that much easier. The former lets you clean the top of your caravan with ease while the latter reduces the risk of scratching your van’s paint and windows. You can find caravan-specific cleaning products on the market which have gentle formulas that are less abrasive than conventional car shampoos.

6. Give your caravan a short run during the off-season

If you haven’t used your caravan for quite some time, it’s wise to give it a short run to keep the batteries healthy. A caravan that’s been parked for too long can potentially drain the batteries and cause permanent damage. New batteries aren’t cheap which is why you should also consider plugging your caravan’s batteries into a charger or battery management system during the off-season.

A quick trip around the neighbourhood is usually more than enough to top up your batteries and prevent them from dying. Once the caravanning season arrives, we suggest that you have your battery tested to check if it’s still holding charge.

Maintaining your caravan shouldn’t be too complicated of a task, provided that you know what to do and what to look for. With these 6 simple tips, you’re well on your way to preserving the lifespan of your precious investment and keep it running smoothly for years to come.