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Pre-Trip Caravan Servicing Checklists
BY Ankita Dec 7, 2023
Your caravan is a durable vehicle designed to withstand the stress of travel in the rugged outbacks of Australia. Yet, despite the strength and durability of the caravan and attached tow vehicle, you still need to have it checked regularly to ensure it’s in good shape. This ensures safety and keeps your vehicle from breaking down when you’re on the road. In this article, we’ll provide a simple servicing checklist you can follow to keep your caravan in great condition at all times. Check the weights Before you get on the road, do a quick check to ensure that the caravan’s weight matches the weight of the tow vehicle you’re using. This should take the load carried in the caravan into consideration since it adds to the overall weight of the vehicle. General vehicle checks Before getting your caravan on the road, do a basic maintenance check on the tow vehicle you’re driving. Some of the general things to check in the two vehicles include the engine oil and coolant fluids, brake fluid, washer fluid, battery lights, and so on. Check the vehicle’s instruction manual for a list of additional service checks to do before you get on the road. Check the tyres Checking the tires is one of the major things to do during a caravan servicing check. You should check the caravan tires themselves and that of the attached vehicle. Check the age of the tires and also look out for signs of wear and tear. The tire pressure is also important. In some cases, you might need to adjust the tire pressure to the recommended level based on the load the caravan is expected to carry. You should also check the wheel nuts and make sure they’re tightened to the specified torque. Inspect the towbar & coupling The Towbar is the connection between the tow vehicle and the attached caravan. Check to see if this is in good condition and has been properly fitted. Inspect for signs of rust or cracks in the towbar. You should also check any loose bolts and tighten them too. photo: Cub Campers Lights Check the internal lights and indicators on your caravan to make sure they’re in good working order. Those indicators will let your car’s vitals such as the brake and engine be in good working order. You should also check external lights such as the tail lights, parking lights and stop lights. If possible, carry a few spare globes with you on your trip just in case you need to replace the lights. Mirrors Your mirrors should see both sides of your caravan and its back clearly. Generally, it should cover a distance of about 4 meters on both sides and up to 20 meters behind you. Check to see if this is in order before your trip begins. In some cases, you might need to get extension mirrors to achieve the desired range for these mirrors. Safety checks Inspect the caravan’s safety features, such as fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and fire blankets. Ensure they’re all in good condition and are easily accessible in the event of an emergency. Read Also: Why Travel Trailers Are The New Vacation Norm From Beaches To Mountains: Ideal Routes For Car Travel In Dubai Exploring Cheap Car Rentals Las Vegas Airport: Book Cars To Travel In Vegas!
