How to Prepare for a Big Caravan Trip
Getting ready for a big trip in a caravan does require some pre-trip preparation.
For anyone about to depart shortly on a caravanning trip and hasn't used their caravan for a while, many pre-trip checks probably need to be done before travel. That’s particularly important for a van that has been in long-term storage and out of sight for months.
Before anything else, it's a good idea to give a caravan a thorough clean, inside and out. Meaning not only will the van be sparkling fresh and ready for travel, but it's also a good way of inspecting the van closely and detecting any potential problems.
Cleaning Up
For cleaning the outside, it’s best never to use a high-pressure water blaster. Damaging water seals and forcing water into places it shouldn’t be is always a risk, as is removing older decals. Using a standard garden hose and a bucket of water might be slower, but it also allows for a careful inspection at the same time.
The choice of detergent is a matter of horses for courses but using the same as used for a tow vehicle is a reasonable approach. Something that doesn’t cause long-term damage to any painted panels, moulded trims, seals and rubber. The awning and the vinyl gusset in a pop-top is best done with nothing more potent than soap and water or a dedicated cleaner. Washing is best done by starting from the top down, and a little challenge for many is washing the roof and items like solar panels. A good ladder with non-slip steps is best, but roof cleaning should be done carefully. Although not in a factory, sensible OH&S matters still apply. Washing the roof is an opportunity to inspect hatches and air conditioners and the sealing around the same. Acrylic windows are commonly used on caravans and are best cleaned with a soft brush or a non-abrasive cloth to avoid scratching.
For minimising streaks, it’s best to avoid washing in direct sunlight, but at the same time a warm day is best to ensure everything is thoroughly dried out before the van is closed up. A wipe-over with a chamois or microfibre cloth is an excellent way to avoid the streaks and scratching, as mentioned above.
A wash and inspection of the van should also include the chassis area. You don’t have to be too much of an expert to ensure that all the cabling and pipework is strapped up out of the way and that the suspension, handbrake cable and water tanks are all where they should be. A van parked up for some time can often become a haven for unwanted squatters of the insect/rodent variety and offloading those is best done before leaving.
Inside the van, something like a cordless vacuum cleaner with a long handle for getting into awkward places but a brush and dustpan work equally well. Household surface cleaners are okay to use on all bench top and shelf surfaces. The cupboard and overhead locker interiors can always do with a close look. Water leaks are only sometimes in obvious places; if there is a problem, it's always good to get in early before serious damage occurs.
Professional Work
Having done the big clean, next your van should be fully serviced. If being done professionally to ensure everything is in top order, then before a service, do functional checks on everything that opens, closes, heats or cools. That includes the entry door, windows, awning, corner stabilisers, handbrake, cooker, fridge (by all energy sources), microwave oven, air conditioner, water heater and space heater (if fitted).
There are other items, too, like the sacrificial anode fitted to the water heater. It's easily checked and replaced if necessary. It depends a bit on usage, but an annual check is a good idea. All caravans these days have fire alarms. Like a domestic house unit, changing the 9V battery once a year is a good idea. To make it easy to remember, pick some annual event like Australia Day.
Any problems not easily fixed can be done when the van has a service. That service should include checking the coupling, handbrake, wheel bearings, suspension, shock absorbers, electric brakes and running lights. All those items are very much safety-related and apart from road use, a problem for vans that have been standing still for an extended period is that something might have dried out lubrication or, worse, seized up.
A handbrake that isn’t adjusted correctly is not good on the sloping ground found in many a caravan park or anyone else for that matter. Electric brakes fitted to most caravans are subject to wear and tear, both the brake shoes and the brake magnet. Worn or cracked brake shoes should certainly be replaced. Similarly, the brake magnets. Manufactured indents or grooves that are worn down indicate excessive wear on the magnet's surface. Another issue is that the insulation on the magnet wires can sometimes be damaged.
Tapered roller bearings are usually fitted to caravan wheels. Those in good condition spin easily but pitting or scoring of the rollers, blue haze on the bearing surfaces and resistance to movement all indicate a problem.
Leaf spring suspension doesn't require much maintenance, apart from a bit of greasing but independent suspension does – wheel alignment, bushes and shock absorbers all need to be checked.
When the Rubber Hits the Road
Tyres on anything rolling are indeed a vital component. Ensuring good tread depth and correct tyre pressures is essential for road safety. Tyres also age and have a life (all tyres have the date of manufacture on them). It is often a problem on RVs because the tread still looks good, but the tyre is past its use-by date. A clue is often tiny cracks in the walls.
Battery Check
Particularly on vans kept in storage sans any charging facilities, battery charge capacity can be a problem. Charging from all sources – mains charger, solar panels and DC-DC should certainly be tested before travel, as should discharge rates. Is the battery still capable of operating all the necessary devices – fridge, lighting and water pump? Generally speaking, if a caravan is placed in long-term storage, it's best to remove the batteries altogether if there is no charging capability.
Loading Matters
For those travelling for the first time, loading a van isn't just stashing everything in the van before heading off. Heavy items should be kept low and preferably above the axles. A technique learned from experience, more so than theory, is to try and store items for users’ convenience so that frequently used items are close to hand. Items like plates, cups and glasses need to be packed so that movement is minimal when travelling. Non-slip matting cut to size is ideal for all cupboards and bubble wrap strategically placed minimises movement. Items like hoses, power leads and camp chairs should ideally be kept in an external bin, primarily for convenience but it’s handy to keep anything wet outside.
A consideration before heading off for long-term RV owners might be a stocktake of everything on board. I suspect many of us acquire items along the way but never shed anything. There's a much greater interest from the road authorities these days in overweight RVs, and an evaluation of everything on board and its usage or lack thereof would be a good exercise in load shedding. Anything from tools never used to unseasonal clothing to books and magazines that have long been read. It’s surprising just how much paper weighs – try picking up a year’s worth of Caravan World magazines! For those who like books and CDs, perhaps it’s time to consider something like a Kindle reader or get the Spotify app on your phone or tablet.
The Toolbox
Tools carried are a matter of personal choice to some extent. However, whatever your handyperson skills, some essential items like a multibit screwdriver, pliers, multi grips and maybe a shifting spanner are always useful. An axe and small bush saw are handy for those who like open fires.
Let’s not forget the invaluable items like WD-40, cable ties and duct tape. In addition, any special tools specific to the van should be carried. Another couple of useful items are a Leatherman tool (there are several varieties) or equivalent and a Stanley knife. For night-time, a decent torch is always handy. No need for the old Dolphin-style torch; quality LED pocket-sized torches are very good these days.
Tow Vehicle Preparation
Anyone who owns a tow vehicle or motorhome will be familiar with many of the items that need to be addressed before any lengthy trip gets underway. The first is to ensure the mechanicals, that is the engine, gearbox, cooling system and brakes, are fully serviced and in tip-top condition. That includes the tow hitch, safety chain attachment, electrical connections and towing mirrors. The latter item is something many people need to remember. Sadly, that number includes many tow vehicle advertisers. The states and territories require the driver to have a clear line of sight behind the caravan at all times. That either means having an extended external mirror or a fitted towing mirror. Besides the legal reasons, towing mirrors are simply an additional safety factor.
Just Before Departure
Anyone new to the business of caravan touring or even those with fine weight margins should get their rig weighed when fully loaded. That includes gas cylinders and water tanks. Before going anywhere, head off to the nearest weighbridge or use mobile weighing services that are becoming more prolific. In some ways, the latter is preferred because wheel weights, axle weights, tow ball mass, gross vehicle mass (GVM), gross combined mass (GCM) and payloads can all be accurately determined.
Finally
A good reason for pre-departure checks is that Australia is a big country and it’s easy to be a long way from a necessary service centre, either for a caravan or a tow vehicle. Taking a little time to fix any problems before leaving may avoid the need to be parked by the roadside waiting for assistance instead of enjoying the beautiful countryside.
Next Step:
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