Caravan Holiday Checklist

Human beings love making lists. Sometimes those lists are completely pointless but a lot of fun – top five TV shows, ten favourite books, twenty greatest goals ever scored. Other times they’re incredibly useful for the way you live – think about the humble shopping list, for instance. In the world of caravans, one essential type of list that will definitely assist you in ensuring a smooth and trouble-free on the road lifestyle is the simple checklist.

As a responsible and helpful caravan dealer, its important to us to provide you with this list so that you are best placed to enjoy the caravan you’ve bought from us!

This is your list of things to check to make sure your caravan is in optimum condition before you set off on your holidays, i.e. up to standard (legal, practical and aesthetic). This list is also a way of protecting your investment and preserving as high a rate of the caravan’s value as you can, by ensuring that everything is functioning correctly and that the fixtures and fittings are maintained and in good order.

The things that you should check are broadly the same, as the vehicle when it’s used (i.e. been in use for a couple of years) is still the same vehicle you bought from new. However, it does make sense to be more thorough with your checking on older caravans as time, like it does with human beings, makes them more susceptible to wear and tear or damage. So, the condition of your caravan should probably also dictate how often you check too.

Running through your caravan checklist is essential before you fire up the beast and head out on the highway (in other words, before you hitch your caravan to your tow vehicle and go off on holiday). Doing so will mean that you’re assured that the mechanical aspects of the vehicle and the systems are in tip-top working condition, that everything in the interior and on the exterior is prepped and ready for your break, and that you have accounted for everything you need to take with you for a successful trip. Now we come to the list itself.

These are the things you need to run through before you set off on your break or holiday:

Tyres: The tread must be within legal limits and the tyre pressures on not just your caravan, but your towing vehicle too must be correct and at the legal point. Also ensure that the spare tyre is good for both of these things.

Wheel Nuts: Make sure the wheel nuts are at the correct tightness. This information should be found in your caravan’s manual or handbook. If it isn’t, you should be able to obtain it from your dealer or the caravan manufacturer.

Hitch: Make sure that the hitch mechanism between your caravan and its tow vehicle is engaged properly. You can check this very easily by winding the jockey wheel to see if the rear of your car or tow vehicle raises up. Make sure that the breakaway cable and the stabiliser are attached. Remember to disengage the electronic hitching device (if the caravan has one).

Noseweight: This should be at its optimum – which is usually around 5% to 7.5% of the laden weight of the caravan. You will be able to find the specific figure for your model of caravan within its manual or handbook. Once again, if you cannot, then contact your dealer or the caravan manufacturer.

Systems: Ensure the gas cylinder (if there is one) is switched off and stowed in the correct upright position, with any straps used. Ensure the caravan’s water tanks are empty, as it’s not a good idea to travel when they are full. If there are System Check functions and indicators ensure that these have not reported a fault.

Cabling: Ensure there is enough slack in the 12V cables you have attached to be able to navigate corners easily and safely. However, also ensure there is not so much slack that the cables drag on the road.

Lights: Run tests to make sure that all exterior ‘road lights’ are functioning correctly and that there is no damage or obfuscation to their housing or covers which would impede visibility.

Mirrors: Check all mirrors (including the additional extending towing mirrors) to make sure they are free from damage, and that they are in the correct position to offer a clear view of the rear of the caravan and the road behind it. This is crucial for safe driving.     Locks and Latches: Make sure that exterior locks are locked and latched, and also ensure that all windows and roof lights are shut and secured. Fasten the travel catch of your kitchen’s fridge and its cupboards to stop stuff coming out when you’re on the move.

In addition…

It’s important to keep on top of the general maintenance and the regular service schedule for your caravan so that it remains in the best working condition possible. Any faults should be dealt with and corrected before they can become big problems for you.      Lowdhams is able to help you with the servicing of your caravan, through our Approved Service Centre. Our workshops in Nottingham employ qualified and certified gas, bodywork, mechanical and electrical technicians. This means we can carry out servicing, and just about any repair to your new or used motorhome or caravan to the very highest standards, and backed up by a comprehensive guarantee of workmanship. We recommend our habitation service for caravan owners, particularly those who are about to go on holiday. It will ensure that all systems are fully and correctly operational.      If your caravan’s annual service is due, then why not book in at our Service Centre? The Lowdhams team will check over your vehicle and be able to advise you of any necessary or beneficial repairs and adjustments. In the meantime, if you have any further queries about the list we’ve provided here then by all means get in touch with us. We’ll be more than happy to assist you with any questions you might have.