Caravan Servicing question.

[PH5121]

Do you get your caravan serviced before you use it if it has been laid up over winter?

I am relatively new to caravan ownership having bought one last April, we have a week away planned for the kids Easter holiday and wondered if I should get it serviced before we go, but I'm struggling to find someone who can do it. My fault for not thinking of it earlier.

The caravan came from a dealer when we bought it so I assume it was serviced prior to our purchase. I rang my most local caravan dealer who said that he is booked up until May with servicing as everyone gets them done at the start of the year.

I was quoted £205 for a service which consisted of checking the gas, electric and the general condition of the 'van. Is this typical as I haven't a clue what it costs?

[CoolCurly]

Hi,

Having the van serviced each year is - new van under warranty - compulsory by manufacture and old van - advisory

Before went out and purchased a brand new one, I had my older one serivced every March/April by a local guy who would spend all day on the van checking loads of things - gas, damp, brakes, tyres - he was bloody brilliant and it and that used to cost me about £150 + Parts

best to start the summer season with the van in the best shape rather than have a weekend ruined.

[Johnnybee]

You might have more luck with a mobile guy but it is a bit close to Easter. I'm not sure where you are in Yorkshire but when we had a caravan we used http://www.caravanaid.co.uk/

[PH5121]

Thanks for the replies.

I've just been speaking to a mobile servicing guy based in Leeds (John Rhodes) who has been recommended to me and can fit the job in in a couple of weeks so I've booked him.

Edited by PH5121 on Tuesday 7th March 10:08

[CoolCurly]

PH5121 said:

Thanks for the replies.

I've just been speaking to a mobile servicing guy based in Leeds (John Rhodes) who has been recommended to me and can fit the job in in a couple of weeks so I've booked him.

Edited by PH5121 on Tuesday 7th March 10:08

Cracking turn out!! Nice one!!! Remember you need to do some "pre season" work yourself too - sterilise the aquarol and water (mine is still used for drinking water and I PH check it alot), get the sofa cushions out to give them an air out, proper clean inside and out, I also give my wastemaster a good clean out with warm water + Bleach and an overnight in the garden before a good rinse out.
Give the Fridge a proper good clean like you would anywhere you want to store food.
I also plug mine in for a couple of days to give the battery a full monte charge and give the heater a blast just to make sure its working (can be cold at easter).

[PH5121]

Thanks for the tips, I want to get it back home and give it a good clean asap.

We have Milton tablets and fluid to use on the aquaroll and it was put away clean so don't know what to expect after a winter stored at a friends farm.
All I know is that it is still in one piece, hopefully it won't be very smelly, mouldy or mouse infested! (fingers crossed).

[PH5121]

CoolCurly said:

I also plug mine in for a couple of days to give the battery a full monte charge and give the heater a blast just to make sure its working (can be cold at easter).

I agree about the cold at Easter.
On our maiden voyage last year we had snow in April in the Lake District, I expect it to be similar this year too.

[CoolCurly]

Get some good step ladders and a brush stick to add to the end of the hosepipe - give the roof a bloody good scrub as it will be horrible after winter. Get it clean and you'll not have black streaks all year.

I use AutoGlym Van and Motorhome cleaner after a good scrub and sponge https://www.autoglym.com/caravan-motor-home-cleane...

Then I use a really good polish which I cant for the life of me remember the name - spray it on, buff it after and the shine lasts for months. Usually give it a top up when on a nice site.

Bit anal on having the van as shiny and clean as possible. Windows are a bugger as they scratch REALLY easy.

[LeadFarmer]

CoolCurly said:

Get some good step ladders and a brush stick to add to the end of the hosepipe - give the roof a bloody good scrub as it will be horrible after winter. Get it clean and you'll not have black streaks all year.

I use AutoGlym Van and Motorhome cleaner after a good scrub and sponge https://www.autoglym.com/caravan-motor-home-cleane...

Then I use a really good polish which I cant for the life of me remember the name - spray it on, buff it after and the shine lasts for months. Usually give it a top up when on a nice site.

Bit anal on having the van as shiny and clean as possible. Windows are a bugger as they scratch REALLY easy.

I fully agree about keeping the roof clean. Im convinced a dirty roof is the cause of the dreaded black streaks. Dirt settles on the roof forming green mould, then when it rains it runs down the sides of the van, around the window frames and leaves streaks. I polish and wax my caravans roof each spring and dont suffer from streaks. Infact the roof is usually still clean at the end of the season if its been waxed.

[Rosscow]

Mobile engineer in today for annual service.

He's a bloody nice guy - if anyone needs one in Sussex/Kent let me know...

[Antony Moxey]

In reply to the OP don't know about caravans but the habitation service on our motor home is about £220 if that helps. It's a good idea to have it done annually, although I guess as a relatively new (?)) owner you're finding out that the whole world and his wife are having theirs done now in preparation for the warmer months. At my local dealer I have to wait a month before he can fit a new awning and two for a habitation service - they're that busy. Couldn't say about mobile servicing, we've only ever had ours done from where we bought it.

Plus, of course, we have the motor part to be serviced, MOT, tax and insurance coming up on top of the hab service...*sigh*

[Antony Moxey]

CoolCurly said:

Get some good step ladders and a brush stick to add to the end of the hosepipe - give the roof a bloody good scrub as it will be horrible after winter. Get it clean and you'll not have black streaks all year.

I use AutoGlym Van and Motorhome cleaner after a good scrub and sponge https://www.autoglym.com/caravan-motor-home-cleane...

Then I use a really good polish which I cant for the life of me remember the name - spray it on, buff it after and the shine lasts for months. Usually give it a top up when on a nice site.

Bit anal on having the van as shiny and clean as possible. Windows are a bugger as they scratch REALLY easy.

You're not the guy from Carry on Caravanning (or whatever it was called) on C5 last week who 'entertained' his new wife by dancing in the campsite in a mankini despite being about 30 stone?!?!?

[Huffy]

Rosscow said:

Mobile engineer in today for annual service.

He's a bloody nice guy - if anyone needs one in Sussex/Kent let me know...

Sorry for the thread hijack but if he covers North Kent out round Wrotham, yes please, that could come in useful. Thanks

[Rosscow]

Huffy said:

Rosscow said:

Mobile engineer in today for annual service.

He's a bloody nice guy - if anyone needs one in Sussex/Kent let me know...

Sorry for the thread hijack but if he covers North Kent out round Wrotham, yes please, that could come in useful. Thanks

Sure thing:

http://completecaravancare.com/

His name is Richard, and he is bloody nice and extremely thorough!

For example, he arrived at 8.50 this morning, and he is still here now (2.50pm).

Last year he was here for nearly 7 hours and charged me just over £250 including a few small parts that needed replacing. That's for a large twin axle.

I'm thoroughly impressed with him and have no hesitation recommending his services. Clean, tidy, meticulous.

Saves me the hassle of an hour each way drive taking the caravan to be serviced as well.

[CoolCurly]

Antony Moxey said:

You're not the guy from Carry on Caravanning (or whatever it was called) on C5 last week who 'entertained' his new wife by dancing in the campsite in a mankini despite being about 30 stone?!?!?

HAHAHAHAHAHA nah mate, that programe brings out the nasty side of me. Its giving vanners a bad name to non-vanners but I guess we have always been an easy target. Dont care though as while Im sitting in the sun with my kids flying about on bikes or playing footie we are happy!

The wife does however always get "entertained"!!!!

[Huffy]

Rosscow said:

Huffy said:

Rosscow said:

Mobile engineer in today for annual service.

He's a bloody nice guy - if anyone needs one in Sussex/Kent let me know...

Sorry for the thread hijack but if he covers North Kent out round Wrotham, yes please, that could come in useful. Thanks

Sure thing:

http://completecaravancare.com/

His name is Richard, and he is bloody nice and extremely thorough!

For example, he arrived at 8.50 this morning, and he is still here now (2.50pm).

Last year he was here for nearly 7 hours and charged me just over £250 including a few small parts that needed replacing. That's for a large twin axle.

I'm thoroughly impressed with him and have no hesitation recommending his services. Clean, tidy, meticulous.

Saves me the hassle of an hour each way drive taking the caravan to be serviced as well.

Thank you.....Ahh....its all coming back to me now (I hate this ageing process ) - I have a feeling we may have done this before and I spoke with Richard - he is indeed very pleasant.......but I was just a bit too far north for him.

[Rosscow]

Huffy said:

Thank you.....Ahh....its all coming back to me now (I hate this ageing process ) - I have a feeling we may have done this before and I spoke with Richard - he is indeed very pleasant.......but I was just a bit too far north for him.

Have we?! I don't remember either