7 Common Caravan Maintenance Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The UK has over 550,000 caravans on the road with more than 2 million people a year taking holiday with their caravans across the UK. There is nothing that compares to the feeling of freedom of driving in the outdoors and being able to park and stay anywhere you want.

Have you bought or are buying a new or used caravan? Curious to know how to take care of your home on wheels to see it last as long as possible? You came to the right place.  We put together the top 7 caravan maintenance mistakes.

Keep reading to learn what can go wrong and avoid losing value on your caravan for as long as possible.

Caravan Maintenance Mistakes

Caravan camping trips are a popular way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Taking vacations with family and friends are red circled on the calendar and looked forward to all year long. Use this time to make sure that your caravan is in tip-top shape.

1. Neglecting Window Seals

Weather sealing and insulating your caravan’s windows will keep the air inside healthy for you and the caravan. If you fail to seal your windows properly rain will leak in. With leaks come water damage, damp, and mold – all of which can be easily avoided with some self-adhesive weather stripping.

Include window inspections on your pre-trip checklist. Check all the windows edges for a waterproof seal when you wash down the outside of the windows. If there are any leaks repair them before the damage has a chance to take hold.

2. Misusing the Fridge

Don’t use your mini-fridge like you do your home fridge. Caravan fridges are not designed to keep large amounts of food and drinks on hand.

Keep only a few items in the fridge and turn off the fridge when it is not needed. A large cooler with ice works well for the occasional BBQ. Limiting the amount of time you use appliances lengthens their expected lifespan.

3. Skipping Cleanings

A clean caravan is not only more comfortable and enjoyable but cleaning is the cornerstone of caravan maintenance.

Tools for cleaning:

• Wood oils and polish
• Brushes and shampoo for upholstery
• Rags and oil for hinges
• Multi-purpose cleaning spray and hand towels

Get in the habit of cleaning every surface of your caravan regularly.  Clean surfaces maintain their like-new appearance longer.

When cleaning your caravan keep an eye out for damp. Excess moisture in an enclosed space like a caravan breeds mold and bacteria that can rot your caravan to its frame. If you live in an area of high humidity use salt trays to draw moisture from the air.

4. Not Maintaining Tyres

Where the rubber meets the road is where most of the wear from towing is concentrated. It makes good sense to take special care of your tyres. A large portion of tyre blowouts and flats could have been prevented with proper tyre maintenance.

Before setting out on the road check the tyre’s air pressure and check for wear. Rotate and change your tyres every few years. Your chances of a tyre mishap will increase the longer you let your tyres wear.

5. Overloading

Packing for a long trip or extended stay can easily get out of hand. A heavy and overloaded caravan will put stress on the chassis and can even break it. A caravan can hold a lot of weight, but you don’t want to overdo it.

Do your best to keep the weight down. Stowaway your gear in your car where possible and try to keep living areas clear to best utilise your living space. Check out these excellent storage ideas.

6. Undervaluing Safety and Preparation

Luck favours the prepared. Write up a safety checklist and conduct regular inspections that all safety equipment is on board and fully functional. Here are a few items that might make your list:

• standard first-aid kit
• hand tools
• hand fire extinguisher
• emergency road kit
• spare tyre and jack
• extra fuel and propane
• extra food and drinking water

7. Not Stowing Properly

Many caravan owners only use their caravans once or twice a year. When you are not using your caravan it must be stowed properly. Don’t make the mistake of leaving your caravan to weather in the elements.

Ideally, your caravan should be parked in a covered garage or storage unit. However, this is not always possible. If you must park your caravan outside for long periods of rest invest in a caravan cover to protect it from the weather.

Budget for Maintenance

Protect your investment by mindfully keeping to a caravan maintenance budget. Work out all your expenses and maintain a routine schedule for taking care of your caravan.

Caravanning is lush with tradition and has become a way of life for many. There is so much to learn and experience. Above all remember to enjoy the ride. See our caravan life hacks for more tips.

Avoid Rough Conditions

The best way to keep your caravan from wearing and breaking down is to avoid rough conditions if you can. Stay off poorly maintained dirt roads and gravel whenever possible.

Don’t park your caravan where it is exposed to harsh conditions for long periods of time. Even leaving the caravan in the sun for days or weeks can damage the exterior. Whenever possible park your caravan in a shaded, dry level area.

As Good as New

Avoid the common caravan maintenance mistakes to enjoy every minute of your leisure time for many years to come. Dreaming of caravan trips but not sure if you can afford one? We have a 90% loan acceptance rate. Get a quote today with our handy budget calculator.