Annual Service

[HOVIS1]

What are the members opinions on the Annual Service ( to conform with Warranty) ?
Last year the cost was £175 to obtain a Certificate and sticker, and to tell me that all was OK,
which I already knew as I had checked everything out myself. My 'Van is now 5 years old, the
component Warranty has expired, and the Service will only be require to cover the 10 year Guarantee on the bodywork
This year the cost is £ 230. I personally don't think it warrants it, What say you ?
:dry:

 

[Damian]

The simple answer is if you want to retain the warranty, you have to abide by the Terms and Conditions of that warranty.
There is nothing more to be said,,,,,,,,,,,its your choice

 

[Raywood]

I suppose that you have to weigh up the odds on the body suffering from damp. You are looking at paying the £200 or so for a service as against the cost of putting damp right probably £1500 plus if you are unlucky.
Can you use a mobile engineer as thet would be cheaper?

 

[FrintonMike]

No one likes paying £200 plus for a service but I look at it from a safety point of view in as much as the brakes, tyres etc are checked. I would not know where to start checking the breaks.
It is like servicing a car. years ago I had no problems doing it my self but no chance now days with all the gizmos under the bonnet so I leave it up to the garage.

 

[Dustydog]

A caravan is a very specialised piece of equipment hidden under the guise of a square box.

There are 230 v and 12 v electrical items and wiring. Gas cookers heaters water heaters and gas pipes and joints and cylinders and regulators. There are high pressure onboard water pumps and associated plumbing. The mechanical stuff has already been mentioned but don't forget the tow hitch coupling, jockey wheel, steadies anti snake devices and so on. Alarms including Co and fire.

Just thinks how many technical trades are covered in servicing a caravan hmy:

I cannot understand why anyone would want to put their and their families lives at risk by skimping on a service even outside of any warranty or guarantee. If you are competent in all the skills required than by all means do it yourself but for most people, even seasoned ones like me I'd still call in a professional and have an annual service. It is a lot more than just a grease gun job.

 

[Trevormc]

I use a mobile service man. Right from the first time I used him, he found problems that should have been done by the dealer that serviced the van before. His prices are less than ½ I was paying at dealers. If he finds a problem he will straight away come and tell or and show me, like the tyre that was out of shape this time. I have always had a spare so that one went on and a new one purchased before I went away.

Trevor

 

[ProfJohnL]

Caravanning has changed over the years, As Dusty points out it's no longer a simple box on wheels, it does have a lot more in it these days. They're still far les complex than cars, but the amount of electronics and other specialised technology is growing.

Its us customers to blame for the explosion of technology, we want more and more creature comforts, so the caravan manufacturers respond, and that increases the number of jobs to be carried out at service.

Coupled to that we have seen the growth of legislation that impinges on caravanning, some of which means we are no longer allowed to carry out jobs or tasks unless we have received training and got a certificate of competence. It costs service centres to arrange this training and certification, so the basic cost increases.

And on top of that we have the ravages of inflation, which means the value of the pound in our pocket is less so we have to pay more just to stand still yet alone cover the new requirements.

As with every purchase we make, we should do our homework first and not just look at the sales price, but also research the real cost of ownership.

I'll bet most people find it costs £700 to £1000 just for the privilege of owning the van, even if its not used.

Caravanning is no longer the way for the masses to have a cheap and cheerful holiday, though perhaps that better as it leaves more space for those that want to caravan.

 

[MichaelE]

It may be a complicated box of tricks but the service is mainly a check? The electrics for example, they do a load test on the battery,check operation of all 12v , ie lights and pump, all 240v's are only checked visually and they do not do an earth check on the sockets only the chassis, the breakers are checked for operation.All wiring is looked at.
They do a damp check.
The only things they actually take apart are the brakes (sometimes) and they do a gas pressure test, everything else is lubricated and greased.
My mobile guy does a chassis, damp,, gas and electric check for £130 on a twin axle, like he says do you really want to pay me for lubricating the door hinges?

 

[xtrailman]

I've just had mine serviced by a AWS mobile man.

Cost around £180, £165 plus parts.
Not cheap but £50 cheaper than my dealer. Plus a saving on fuel.

I only have it serviced to maintain the warranty, the cost of damp repairs are just too high not to.

There are cheaper services available but I don't think these maintain the warranty, but ensure the caravan is roadworthy.

 

[HOVIS1]

Thank you for all your replies. I was just "feeling the water" so to speak for a general opinion. Some advise using a Mobile Service engineer - How does this affect the Warranty Rating ? - as they are obviously not "Approved" Service Engineers, and therefore I would not get my "pretty" annual sticker, but hopefully a full service sheet. Does their service include Damp Test, and Alko Hitch ?

 

[Damian]

All the mobile engineers listed on the Approved Workshop website are able to carry out servicing and repairs AND maintain your vans warranty.
As far as repairs are concerned, all the appliances are covered by individual manufacturers warranty and all the engineers can repair those without having to refer to your dealer.
Body repairs, or the main fabric, of the van is different. Some engineers are approved by the manufacturer to carry out repairs, but the majority of fabric repairs must be referred to the dealer, whom your contract is with, and some repairs can only be carried out at specialist repair centres or at the manufacturers premises.

http://www.approvedworkshops.co.uk/search/

 

[xtrailman]

Thank you for all your replies. I was just "feeling the water" so to speak for a general opinion. Some advise using a Mobile Service engineer - How does this affect the Warranty Rating ? - as they are obviously not "Approved" Service Engineers, and therefore I would not get my "pretty" annual sticker, but hopefully a full service sheet. Does their service include Damp Test, and Alko Hitch ?

Yes Bailey say you can use a AWS engineer, as Damian said.
I've got a sticker, a damp check with diagram showing readings, I watched him check my side lockers with the meter, along with all the paper work.

And yes the hitch was also greased. As mine was gas safe registered I also got a comprehensive system check, with paper work.

Find a couple for your area off Damians link and check their ratings.

 

[Surfer]

Please note that the gas, water and electrics are not serviced, they are checked to ensure that they are in working condition. The only serviceable items are the running gear. We use a mobile technician who does a thorough job of checking the caravan and is £80 cheaper than the dealer.

 

[MichaelE]

As i pointed out its a check list, no different to a car? your service involves them checking things?
My mobile guy does a cracking job, he showed me that my drums hadn't been removed when it had its dealer service, and they charged me for the one shot nuts!!!!

 

[cooky1]

I have just had my single axle caravan serviced by a mobile guy. £150 total cost which included a damp report and hitch/brakes adjusted. He is part of the Approved Workshop Scheme and registered, so his servicing is just the same as taking the van to a dealer.
You can search for Approved service agents on here:-

http://www.approvedworkshops.co.uk/approved-touring-caravan-motorhome-servicing
Graeme.

 

[HOVIS1]

Thanks again for all the response.
I have found an Approved Service Agent in Lincoln :
allan wood
camelco - the caravan clinic
07973 178 449
allan@camelco.co.uk
www.camelco.co.uk
They are doing the Annual Service for £155 for a Single Axle.
I contacted them via the Web and they responded by return and fixed a date-Good!

 

[Raywood]

If like me you are not competent to do the service I woulod have it done by an approved business. At the end of the day your life and caravan may depend on it.

 

[SirRogerFFS]

.

 

[CyberCynth]

This has been a very interesting thread to follow, not least because now I have moved house (and county) I have no idea where to go for a reliable caravan service. Yes, I know where the dealers are, but have no idea of their reputation! How do I know, especially being a woman on my own, that I am not going to be fleeced by some shark who charges me for unnecessary work, or doesn't do work that should be done? I have already been conned by the garage where I had the towbar fitted to my car, and I am worried now about how I can find a caravan workshop which I can trust to be reliable and honest.. Any suggestions, anyone? I can't really go back to the dealer, as they're too far away for it to be practical for me to consider that.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Cynthia,

Given your circumstances I suggest you become a little cheeky. Look around your neighbourhood for families with caravans, and knock on the doors, Explain you have a just moved to the area and are trying to find the best place to get caravan service done. Ill bet most caravanners will be happy enough to tell you and if they are happy with the service on offer. You probably make some new friends into the bargain.

Check any suggestions are associated with the Approved workshop Scheme, and you should be all right.

 

[Damian]

Have a look here: http://www.approvedworkshops.co.uk/search/.
Click on the area you are in and a list of Approved Workshops will come up.
A mobile service engineer saves you the trouble of moving the van and the service can be done to suit you,and you can stand and watch if you want to, and ask as many questions as you like, and its normally cheaper than a main dealer.

 

[Thedoog]

Hi Cynthia, We use the caravan medic from Swindon, he is doing our service this Saturday, i can recommend him very thorough.

Steve.

 

[Thedoog]

www.thecaravanmedic-swindon.co.uk

 

[CyberCynth]

The doog, Damien and ProfJohnL, thank you all very much for your suggestions. There are lots of caravanners on the estate where I live so I should be able to check out some of their ideas. I don't think there are many year-round tourers; since I've been living here I haven't seen many of these 'vans moving from their parking spots on their owners' drives! I am liking the idea of a mobile mechanic, Damien, especially if you can suss them out on-line. I had thought of going back down to Cornwall to North Coast Caravans, but apparently he's now only working on motorhomes, so that is no longer an option for me. Thanks again.

 

[Taff]

I took a chance by using a friend who has been in the caravan business for over 20 years but cannot aftord the cost of NCC membership. I have the peace of mind that he does a full service. I have had my caravan from new. Had some damp near the front window that cost me £100 to repair.