New year, New Start

[Nick_374224919]

Hi all

I know, I know, I know. I am ashamed to say that this weekend is our first of the year. My pride and joy has been sat on the drive since december only being used for my office as I work from home. Any suggestions on checks before I venture forth??? I have checked my wheel nuts, tyre pressures and given it a gorgeous clean and polish. This is my my second year of caravanning, so the whole new year thing is new to me. As always, all comments greatly received.

Nick

 

[Cockovan]

My advice would be to get it professionally serviced unless you had it done before you layed it up. There are the hub and brakes to consider as well as the function and safety of the gas and electrics.

 

[Robtel]

Hi Nick,

You might want to consider sterilising the water system and then give it a flush through. Do you keep all the gear you need in the van? e.g. pots and pans or do you swap them back and forth between the house and the van if so it might be worth doing a double check that everything is on board. If you sterilise the water system thta would also serve as a check that it is working o.k. but what about the gas, check you have enough and that appliances are working ok. If you have time might be worth going the whole way and checking all electrics and lights are working, inside and out. Better finding out now than at weekend when you are ready to go, at least you will have time to fix any faults or blown lights.

Have a good weekend.

Robert

 

[Nick_374224919]

Thank you Alan & Robert, good advice. I know the elecs are good, and we leave all our stuff in the van, so no missing whiskey tumblers.......the pain!! I would have liked to get it serviced before we went, but I rang up the dealer where I got it and they ssaid they are booked up till Aug. So will look araound for other NCC servicers, otherwise might invalidate the explorer group warranty.

Once again thanks for your speedy replys.

 

[Guest]

Bear in mind that the majority of a service is checking this and that. They only adjust the brakes, they do not remove the hubs unless you specifically request it. You can check most of the habitation items at home to see they are all working fine. Most fridges etc are very reliable so will function correctly. Check the wheel nuts are correctly torqued, anmd the tyre pressures are fine.If the van is new there should be no signs of tyre cracking, but do look. Also look for obvious things such as nails etc. Grease the hitch, there are usually 2 nipples and grease the handbrake cable. Hitch up and check the lights, tow the first few miles nice and easy and check everything is looking good. Stop at a laybye and check all is still there. Find a site and enjoy your hobby. Some things will probabaly cause a glitch but after a night or so these can be remedied and it is a new season ahead of you.

Book the next sevice ahead of time.

 

[Cockovan]

Bear in mind that the majority of a service is checking this and that. They only adjust the brakes, they do not remove the hubs unless you specifically request it. You can check most of the habitation items at home to see they are all working fine. Most fridges etc are very reliable so will function correctly. Check the wheel nuts are correctly torqued, anmd the tyre pressures are fine.If the van is new there should be no signs of tyre cracking, but do look. Also look for obvious things such as nails etc. Grease the hitch, there are usually 2 nipples and grease the handbrake cable. Hitch up and check the lights, tow the first few miles nice and easy and check everything is looking good. Stop at a laybye and check all is still there. Find a site and enjoy your hobby. Some things will probabaly cause a glitch but after a night or so these can be remedied and it is a new season ahead of you.

Book the next sevice ahead of time.

All very true but if the van is under warranty and not serviced within a few weeks of the annual purchase date it will invalidate the warranty.