Keeping your Caravan well maintained will ensure that when the time comes to pack up for your next trip, it will be in top shape giving you peace of mind that your holiday will be comfortable, less stressful, and most of all, safe.
Even if your caravan is regularly maintained, you should always do an extra maintenance check prior to a big trip. And its always a good idea to let the experts give it a once over with a professional pre-trip caravan service.
Our general caravan safety checklist will help ensure you have a safe and happy holiday.
Outside the Van
- Check you car’s oil, water, brakes, rear-view mirrors and battery.
- Tyres are of absolute importance when towing a caravan. Check both your car and caravan’s tyre pressure and their condition.
- Check your torque settings on all wheel nuts. Use a torque wrench to avoid under or over tightening the wheel nuts.
- Monitor the caravans’ brakes during your trip to make sure they’re not overheating, remembering that caravan brakes do run hotter than car brakes. Check for any unusual smells or smoke coming from the brakes, and make sure they feel like they’re working well when you’re stopping.
- Ensure the caravan is correctly coupled to the tow vehicle. Then check your safety chain/s. Two chains are normally fitted. Crisscross the chains and use ‘D’ shackles to connect them to the secure points on the towbar.
- Ensure that the electrical plug between the caravan and tow vehicle is connected. Then, check the brake lights, taillights, turn indicators, clearance lights and electric brakes (if fitted) to make sure they are working.
- Check that your gas bottle is full, securely fitted, and turned off for travel.
- Fill your water tanks if needed.
- Ensure the jockey wheel has been removed or firmly secured.
- Make sure that all jacks have been raised and all safety stands removed.
- Check that the steps of the caravan have been raised.
- Ensure the awning is in and locked securely in place.
Inside the Van
- Check your battery system is working correctly, and charged.
- Check your fridge is operating and cooling correctly on either gas or battery (if compressor fridge)
- Turn off the water pump before traveling.
- Make sure that the fridge door is closed and locked, also check that any of the fridge’s contents are sealed.
- Ensure the Stove lid is closed.
- No loose items should be kept on cupboards or shelves within the caravan.
- Ensure that all the cupboards and drawers in the caravan have been closed and any tables secured firmly.
- Double check that all windows and doors are well sealed and closed.
- Check all hatches are down and locked close.
- Blinds and screens are secured in the open position.
- TV off wall bracket and lying flat securely.
- TV antenna is wound down.
- Toilet cassette locked into place with toilet seat down.
- En-suite door is latched in open position.
- Shower screen door is latched closed.
Whenever you make a stop along the way, do a quick walk around both the car and the caravan to ensure everything is still in order before you head off again.
Before driving off do just a quick double or triple check of your van and lastly have a great trip!
As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your Sunseeker or Vision Caravans at any time, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
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