

Your RV is more than just a vehicle, It’s a home away from home – an investment. And, like any investment, you want to look after it. Regular services are essential to maintaining the safety and longevity of your caravan, motor home, 5th wheeler or camper trailer. It’s important to find a service and repairs centre you trust to provide quality work and sound advice at a reasonable price. Novocastrian Caravan and RV Repairs has years of industry experience, a professional team with expert knowledge. We guarantee our work and our customer service is second to none.
How often should I have my RV serviced?
Caravan Repairs and Service recommend two types of service – the first service and the annual service. The first service is carried out in the first 12 months or when the caravan or trailer reaches 1000-2000 kilometres. This may be a basic service, but it is an important one. Once that milestone is reached it’s essential to schedule annual services for your RV. As the name suggest, the annual service should be carried out yearly, or every 10,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. These services are thorough and help prevent more significant damage or delays while you’re on holiday. Don’t be tempted to skip the annual service if you haven’t taken your RV out for a while, even an idle van needs attention.
DIY checks
There are steps you can take between major services to maintain your pride and joy, ensure good performance and a positive experience. By identifying potential issues early you can also avoid bigger repair bills down the road. Many can be picked up through simple checks that can be done visually, such as inspecting cables, hoses, clips, plugs and sockets for signs of wear or looseness.
Make a point of running through the checklist below on a regular basis, even if your caravan, motor home, 5th wheeler or camper trailer has simply been sitting in the garage.
- Tyres – check the pressure and look for signs of damage, especially cracks and uneven wear; don’t forget to check the spare!
- Wheels – tighten the wheel nuts before, during and after any trip
- Lights – test running lights are working and the battery is holding its charge
- Vents – make sure none of the vents are blocked or obscured and if you smell any musky dampness or gas, call on the experts as soon as possible
- Seals – the door, windows and roof all have seals to prevent moisture and dirt entering; as they age they can crack and may need replacing
- Awning – inspect the function regularly, making sure the extending and contracting motion is smooth; keep the fabric clean and check it for signs of damage; to ensure the longevity of your awning take care when rolling it in, hold and move the awning strap along the roller so it doesn’t roll up in one spot.
- Cleaning of your awning – It is advised to clean your awning with warm, soapy water in order to prevent mould and/ or mildew from building up. Once washed, leave the awning fully extended and ensure the awning is retracted only when the fabric is completely dry. If you roll the awning up wet, it will be covered in mould the next time you go to use it.
- Upright Fridge – When your caravan fridge is not in use, it’s a good idea to wipe out the interior, dry it, and to then leave the door partially open when the caravan is in storage. Failure to do so can result in deterioration, a build-up of mould, and the potential for maggots to appear if there is any left-over food.
- Portable Compressor Fridges – It is highly recommended to empty your portable compressor fridge and bring it down to your desired temperature 24 to 48 hours before departure. Once the fridge has cooled, it’s best to put already cold food and drinks into the fridge as they will act as cooling agents, reducing energy consumption and helping maintain internal temperatures efficiently, allowing you to utilise the maximum cooling potential of the unit.
- Antennas – When you park and crank the antenna up, it’s obviously important to remember to wind it back down again before you leave. You would be surprised how many people end up breaking their antenna off.
- Air Conditioners – Remember to inspect, and if necessary, change your air conditioner filters at least twice a year. Over time, filters can clog up, and if this happens then the air conditioner will not operate as well as it could, and in some cases, it can begin to emit odours into the room.
- Solar Panels – In order to utilise the maximum efficiency of your solar panels, remember to wipe the panels down with water and dishwashing liquid once or twice a year. Failure to do so could result in a build-up of bugs, dust, and tree sap, making them much more difficult to clean, and the solar panel can become much less effective when drawing energy from the sun.