Who gets their Caravan Serviced - And how often?

[Litespeed]

Do you all have your Caravan serviced regularly, what gets checked and carried out during a service and what is the approximate cost?

We've had our van from new and it will be 3 years old this year. It doesnt cover high mileages probably about 5000 miles since new. Its not been serviced yet although I do regularly check the condition and inflation of the tyres.

 

[Chris_374224489]

We have our caravan serviced by someone approved by the manufacturer every year. As it is under warranty - three years most bits & 6 years bodywork - we are required to do so to keep the guarantee current. This is well worth it for our peace of mind.

The insurance is better if you have it serviced as well.

Chris

 

[Colin_374358138]

I think that its all a big con really. The only thing that needs looking at is the gas.

You can inspect your 12s & n yourself.

Brakes don't need doing that often when you're low mileage.

Its just

 

[RichardJ]

Hi Litespeed

WE have only had a van for the last 3 years, our van is serviced every year, I am sure that the warranty requires it.

The mileage covered does not mean anything, its the time, checks habe to be made on gas appliances, if it has not been checked then there cannot be a certificate issued to say the gas and now the electrical instalation is correct and in good order.

I would be inclined to check your warranty, (if you had a new van) and or insurance, mine does say that the van MUST comply with the current regulations i.e have a safety certificate issued under a year old.....

 

[ProfJohnL]

Gentlemen,

Your Warranty is provided under the sale of Goods acts which cover your statutory rights, and there is no mention that servicing is a requirement.

Your manufactures guarantee may specify that certain service intervals must be maintained for the guarantee to remain valid.

I understand that some insurers are now making noises about safety certificates, but a service is not a prerequisite for a safety certificate to be issued.

Even though a caravan does not cover a large mileage, it often left unused for quite long periods, and some equipment will deteriorate simply through non usage. Non usage can also allow some equipment to be used by insects for 'nests' or webs, and this can disrupt the correct operations especially of gas appliances.

 

[RogerL]

I carry out a chassis service once a year in accordance with Al-Ko's requirements, not Bailey's (there is a difference!), and a damp test once a year. I carry out a gas pressure test EVERY time we leave a site.

 

[RayS]

I have my van serviced by an approved workshop each year to satisfy the guaranttee and overseas insurance conditions. This is at a local non-dealer workshop with a "menu" price around

 

[Reg]

I personally think that its just one big wallet extraction con.

My caravan service cost

 

[MikeAce]

I used to have my van serviced by Northam Farm in Brean, they did a great job in my opinion.

When i collected it after the service they had even washed it, hoovered it out, oiled all the window hinges and catches, checked the appliances, provided a damp report (None thankfully) even changed a broken handle on a drawer i hadnt even mentioned and took the liberty of putting a handfull of spare handles in the drawer incase i broke another.

all in al for 130 quid i thought it was worth it, but now its out of manufacturer warranty i wont bother.

 

[mistermac]

I'm sure that servicing is a clause in your warranty - ie, if you don't stick to their brief, the warranty becomes null and void (past 12 months).

I think you'd be on pretty sticky ground trying to get any work done on your van if you hadn't had it serviced as laid down in the manufacturer's conditions.

Mac

 

[MikeAce]

I agree with Mark Mac, i had a window of one month with my Ace warranty, it had to be serviced no later than one month past its due date or i lost the warranty.

 

[newton_374355356]

I agree with Mark Mac, i had a window of one month with my Ace warranty, it had to be serviced no later than one month past its due date or i lost the warranty.

the reason fore the introduction of the MOT test was to protect lives of those who where driving on the roads with defective tyres and brakes and steering to name a few ...some may check all that needs checking but you and I know a lot dont, cant or not bothered ....get it checked for my safety and others like me

 

[MikeAce]

Newton, are we all talking about the same thing as you?

MOT? we are talking about caravan servicing, there is no compulsory MOT for a caravan, not yet anyway.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Mark and Mike,

I know its a little point but you do not get a manufactures 'warranty'

Warranty is a statement of condition that you receive from your seller when you purchase.

You get a manufactures 'guarantee' which is statement of intent that describes what action the manufacture will take if certain faults develop.

The two words are often mixed up and misused

 

[Lutz]

I am rather surprised tha no-one except RogerL seems to have recognised the need for the brakes to be serviced. Now they are a real safety item and it would be wise to ensure that they are doing their job properly. The brakes lead a hard life, especially if you do a lot of towing in the mountains. I have had the brake linings on my caravan become glazed due to brake fade and therefore in need of replacement, quite apart from the need for regular adjustment.

 

[Roy_374355334]

ITS SURPRISING HOW MORE CAN GO WRONG WITH YOUR VAN THE LESS YOU USE IT,I SERVICE MY OWN VAN APART FROM THE GAS APPLIANCES AND I GET A QUALIFIED CORGI GAS PLUMBER TO LOOK AT THAT SIDE OF THINGS AND HE CHARGES ME

 

[Reg]

Lutz

My bone of contention is that the dealers do not follow the Alko recommended method of checking and servicing the brakes.

For some reason, probably to bump up the charges, they remove the drums which is not as described by Alko and I do not want unnecessary work to be done to my van. If it ain't broke the leave it for as sure as hell it will be broke if you mess with it.

I think all of us are aware of the need to ensure the brakes etc. are in working order.

 

[Damian]

The reason why brake drums are removed during a service is to check the brake shoes over the whole surface, not just the thickness of the pads through the very small inspection hole in the back.

Why is this done? because there are many instances where the shoes look ok through the inspection hole, but the pads have either become completely detached from the backing shoe, or have become cracked across the width of the pad and are starting to fall apart.

With the old style castellated nut and taper roller bearings it was no problem to remove, check, replace and new split pin, but with the Euro system, the hubs are held on by One Shot Nuts, which require replacing as soon as they are disturbed.

Also the slider mechanism which is essential to correct reverse brake operation has to be cleaned and regreased, otherwise it will not work as it should.

Finally the shoes are held in place by a single spring, which can, and does become stretched and needs replacing.

 

[Reg]

I would prefer to follow the Alko service recommendations.

 

[ProfJohnL]

ITS SURPRISING HOW MORE CAN GO WRONG WITH YOUR VAN THE LESS YOU USE IT,I SERVICE MY OWN VAN APART FROM THE GAS APPLIANCES AND I GET A QUALIFIED CORGI GAS PLUMBER TO LOOK AT THAT SIDE OF THINGS AND HE CHARGES ME

 

[Roy_374355334]

Hello Roy,

Can I bring to your attention the forum etiquette item ten that asks you not use all capitols. Not only is more difficult read, but is gives the impression the writer is shouting.

Thanks

PROBLEM WITH KEYBOARD,CAPS LOCK STUCK ON, NEW KEYBOARD ORDERED,SORRY FOR BREAKING THE RULES AND SHOUTING

 

[Dave_374359951]

We have had our 3 year old caravan serviced every year but after this years experience will be looking at DIY.

Booked service and informed dealer that when we last used the gas we could smell gas in the caraven. Collected after servicein Feb and told that gas checked all ok. Easter came and same smell of gas, changed gas bottle and connector as advised by dealer this did not solve problem. I decided to check gas myself and found regulater leaking I told the dealer about this and asked why this was not picked up during service was told they did not check the regulator as part of the service. I am in the process of trying to find out if this is normal practice as I can't believe it. Any opinions on this!!!

 

[MikeAce]

Thats an excellent point Dave, i naturally assumed that a gas soundness test was carried out from the regulator which of course checks up to the valve of each appliance for gas soundness, as an ex gas engineer myself i only have the kit to test up to 20mb (domestic properties) and not 30mb as per the new lpg regulators working pressure. i just assumed it was a standard 2 minute test carries out at every service.

does anybody know if this is the case?

 

[Damian]

The gas soundness test on caravans and motorhomes is carried out with the regulator isolated from the test procedure as in pre 2004 vans the test pressure is 47mB, and on 2004+ vans it is 150mB.

The timings for the pre 2004 vans are 5 mins stabilisation and 2 mins holding , and on 2004+ vans it is 5 mins stabilisation and 5 mins holding.

However, part of the service is to check the regulator performance which is done by a "let by" test where the regulator is tested at lock up pressure for 5 mins then at reduced pressure for 2 mins.

This should show up any leaks.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I think that if a customer makes a specific point about a smell of gas, and asks for the system to be checked, in my book that would include every joint and connection from bottle to the last appliance on the system.

The dealer has not carried out the customers instructions nor acted competently.