How To Service A Touring Caravan – DIY Or Professional Services?

Servicing your touring caravan is a crucial step to ensuring you can embark on a safe trip. Not only can servicing avoid unpleasant last-minute repair expenses, but it can also significantly prolong the lifespan of your caravan.

Caravan servicing is an annual requirement and can take both time and money so you might be wondering whether it’s worth paying for a professional service or doing it yourself.

In this blog, we’ll explain how to service a touring caravan and the pros and cons of DIY vs professional servicing. We’ll also use our expertise to help you decide which is the best option for you.

Haven’t got your own touring caravan but want to get yourself on the road? Check out our caravan finance options and find yourself the best vehicle finance deal.

Why do caravans need servicing?

Regardless of the type of vehicle you own, you’ll need to carry out annual servicing and MOT checks. Regular servicing helps to keep your caravan in top condition, prevent accidents or problems before they occur and keep you safe on the road. 

Servicing your caravan will also help to keep your insurance costs low and avoid paying for emergency repairs. You’ll also be able to prolong your resale value or reduce the rate of depreciation by keeping your vehicle in the best possible condition.

There are also legal elements to servicing your caravan, with some checks being essential in order to ensure compliance with road safety laws. 

Can I service a touring caravan myself?

You can in theory service your own caravan but you should always refer to the care section on your owner’s manual, which can help you answer this question. Referring to the manual will help you find out more about the required caravan servicing steps as well as the maintenance steps to avoid. From this quick research, you’ll be able to identify if you have the knowledge, skills and qualifications to service the entirety of your caravan.

There are a few checks that should be carried out by a professional engineer for safety and legal reasons, including:

• Gas system
• Boiler checks
• Electrical system
• Braking system

Anything that doesn’t involve checking the gas, electrics and brakes can safely be part of your DIY touring caravan servicing provided you have the confidence and know-how to carry out these checks. 

How to DIY service a touring caravan 

There are a number of areas you can safely service yourself when inspecting your caravan. For the most part, the process should be fairly simple but If you come across any issues you may need to get professionals involved for repair works if there is something you’re not able to fix.

Stabiliser hitch head servicing

Refer to the manufacturer’s documentation for your stabiliser, as different models are available. Servicing includes checking the friction pads and cleaning grease and grime. You can use 200-400 grain sandpaper to clean the surface and aerosol brake cleaner. However, if they are worn out or can’t be cleaned, you will need to get replacements.

Tyre checks

Check your tyre pressure and asses if they need replacing. We recommend replacing tyres that are older than 5 years. The DOT code on the tyre will indicate the age. The last 4 digits show the year and the week of manufacture. For example, 2619 refers to the 26th week of 2019. If your tyres are under 5 years old, check the wear and damage to see if they need replacing. A tyre depth under 3mm, cracking or bulging are indications that you’ll need to change a tyre. 

Bodywork

Check the outside of your van for any damage, paint chipping, rust or corrosion. Inspect your windows and doors, make sure the exterior seals are intact and there isn’t any sign of mould or water damage. To spot any signs of repairs it is best to keep on top of regular cleaning and maintenance on your caravan. 

Road lights

Test all of your interior and exterior lights like brake lights and dashboard lights to make sure they are working. Replace any bulbs that are blown, damaged or faulty. If your headlights are dirty or dull be sure to clean them to increase your visibility.

Damp testing

If you want to go ahead with DIY touring caravan servicing, you should invest in a quality damp metre to monitor the moisture present within all parts of the unit.

• 0-15% dampness: Nothing to worry about
• 15-20%: Keep the area in check and test regularly for updates
• 25%+: There may be minor seals damage
• 30%+: You need professional servicing

You can easily fix a damaged or cracking seal with an all-purpose adhesive suitable for caravans.

Water systems

After taking your caravan on a trip, you should disconnect your water system. This disconnects the pipes, drains the system, and prevents cracking around the taps. During servicing, make sure to connect everything and refill the tank. Test the system for water pressure, leaks, and filter replacement. 

Roof

An area that many people neglect during caravan servicing is the roof. Use a ladder to reach the top of your van and check for any signs of damage like holes, cracks or water damage. Remove any dirt and debris from the surface with a brush and hose down as you would the rest of the exterior. You should also check your awnings while inspecting the roof. Look for any tears or damage that may indicate it needs replacing.

Interior caravan servicing

Just as you’ll carry out caravan servicing on the exterior of your vehicle, you’ll need to take care of the interior too. 

Cleaning and maintenance

Begin by giving all of your surfaces a wipe down and inspect for any signs of mould damp or other issues on your surfaces. Vacuum and carpeted areas and mop any hard floors. Check the inside of the windows and door seals as you did on the outside. 

Appliances

All kitchen and interior appliances need to be tested including the hob, fridge and any heating to ensure they’re working properly and safely. Inspect fuses in appliances and check to see if things like kettles and stove tops are worn down or need upgrading. 

Furniture

Check your tables and chairs for any dents, scratches or damage that might need repairing. If it’s only light damage you may be able to polish out any scratches or fill chipped wood or plastic.

Inspect soft furnishings like the sofa and your sleeping areas for any stains, tears or discolouration to the fabric. If you do have marks on your sofa or bedding, these should be easy to remove with some detergent. For tears or damage to the fabric, you may need to sew or reupholster your seating. If your furniture needs a refresher, you can check out our caravan interior design ideas for ways to bring new life into your living space. 

Servicing your caravan in winter

It’s important to remember that you’ll need to carry out different checks on your caravan in the winter to ensure that it can hold out in colder weather.

• Inspect your tyres to make sure they’re safe for wet and icy roads.
• Clean any snow from your roof and exterior and also check for leaks.
• Cover your caravan with a tarp or a van cover when stationary to protect it better.
• Ensure the interior of your van is warm enough to live comfortably and check for any drafts.
• Check for any signs of dampness in colder weather and also invest in a dehumidifier. 

Pros and cons of DIY caravan servicing

There are many reasons to opt for self-servicing your caravan from saving money to growing your expertise. 

Benefits of DIY servicing 

• Spotting issues early: If you opt for DIY servicing you can inspect your vehicle whenever you want or need and you won’t have to wait for a professional appointment. This means any issues can be found before they become serious.
• Save yourself money: Not only will identifying problems early prevent more expensive repairs in the future, but opting to do your own servicing helps to reduce the costs involved in hiring a professional to carry out the inspection.
• Become a caravan expert: Taking on the responsibility of repairs and servicing allows you to learn more about your caravan and the technical knowledge involved in repairs. This means you’ll be able to deal with issues more accurately if and when they arise. 

Drawbacks of DIY servicing 

As with most endeavours, there are also some downsides to DIY caravan servicing.

• Compulsory professional support: Unfortunately, caravan owners require professional support as part of the servicing. You can’t service electrical units, gas systems, boiler systems, and brake systems and these elements must be covered by a professional.
• Lack of knowledge: Some of the problems you may face when servicing your caravan can be complex and you may not know how to resolve them. This means you’ll have to either deeply research the issue or head to a professional either way.
• Time: Servicing any vehicle is a lengthy process but this is especially true with mobile homes. The process will take you several days at least which takes up your valuable time. If you have a job it will also take even longer.

Additionally, professionals are equipped to proceed with full touring caravan servicing as they have the tools and qualifications to handle all parts of your units and all repair works.

Pros and cons of professional servicing

Although you may be keen to sort your servicing yourself, it’s always best to assess both options and think about how professional servicing can benefit you:

Benefits of professional servicing

• Expert knowledge: When you reach out to a qualified service engineer, you can benefit from their experience. As a result, professional servicing can spot and fix issues rapidly, avoiding expensive repair work in the long term. It will also protect your warranty and ensure you comply with the insurance conditions.
• Fast Turnaround: It’s a pros job to carry out servicing and MOTs for a living so they’re used to getting the process sorted quickly and effectively so you can get back on the road in no time.
• Reassurance: Sometimes it’s just nice to know that you’re in safe hands and all your inspections will be done by the book by an experienced professional who knows what they’re doing. 

Drawbacks of professional servicing

• Cost: What puts people off the most from choosing professional servicing is the cost involved. Not only does the inspection itself cost money but any repairs and maintenance can add up to a lot of money.
• Research time: You shouldn’t just head to the first servicing shop you see, you’ll need to do research to find the best one at the best price and this can take away more time when you could be on the road instead. 
• No vehicle access: Whilst your vehicle is being professionally serviced you’ll be without your method of transport or your living/workspace. This means you’ll have to find alternative means of transport or miss out on work opportunities. 

Caravan finance and servicing advice at Auto Finance

Servicing your touring caravan plays a significant role in preserving your investment and keeping your warranty valid. You can combine DIY servicing and pro maintenance to keep your costs low and your caravan safe. If you want to learn more about the best servicing practices or if you need advice on the best finance options for a caravan you can get in touch with our team at Auto Finance. 

We work with the best lenders to help you get the best deal and can help you get a loan even if you’ve been refused before!