Having our van serviced next week and received a letter confirming booking and its telling us to take everything out of lockers, everything off floor gas bottles out and evn the step. Going to call in tomorrow see if we can leave the plates and stuff. I,m presuming they want it as empty as possible to damp test inside lockers.
It all depends who is doing the service we had ours done at Read caravans at Blackburn we had only to move the big stuff out and it was inside there service centre all the time till the day we picked it up.Ian
Local dealership requests that the caravan is emptied for servicing. My guess is the reason for this is twofold.
One, to make the job easier for whoever is doing the service,no need to move stuff about to damp check or any other interior tasks and,two, to ensure no one comes back after the service to complain that any personal items are broken or missing. Sure most people are honest but wouldn't be surprised to hear that someone was alleging that their 52" plasma t.v. that they had left in the caravan prior to service was gone when they got it back.
we had our 1st service and we took out EVERYTHING including the cushions ... we didnt want them even with gloves on mucking up my cushions to get to all the pipes etc so we did remove them , and we got a thank you from them ! So I would like about where they need access to check pipes etc and try to accommodate them it helps you too because dont forget they are really busy and just want to be quick so they arent fussy where they pile it all up
Some dealerships do have a rule that they will not work on a caravan unless it is empty, some state that as they get paid by the hour, any time taken having to empty a caravan of contents in order to get at areas requiring work or a damp test will be charged at the going rate, usually about £50 an hour, Ouch!
For that reason, we always empty ours and allow them access to all lockers ect in order to do an in depth damp check, instead of them trying to only use their meter wherever they could reach, due to the amount of stuff stored in the lockers and bench bases.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Our dealer also requests vans are emptied for service. We normally take most stuff into the house for winter, but the pots, dishes and cutlery stay in the van all the time, which doesn't seem to be a problem.
We don't remove any upholstery.
Our dealer will not use any of the security devices, say they have never lost a van, so we just leave it up to them.
We emptied almost everything out of our van less the water hogg and aqua roll which we left in the shower/loo and they didnt test the shower floor because of the things being in there. Annoyingly we asked the person we handed the van over to if we needed to take the stuff out and he said no!
Quote: Originally posted by brianconwy on 31/10/2011
Oh well I had better get up early in the morning to clear stuff out. Do you think they will need the stuff removing from under the fixed bed?
Why not ring and ask them? It seems that different service departments have different requirements. I can't see that you would need to move it. Although we leave everything in the van, absolutely everything is under beds or in cupboards. Nothing at all is left on the floor where you walk and there is always room in the cupboards - they are not packed tight.
I know it is a pain doing it but my dealer insists it is empty.Went for first service cleared van out but left things in front gas locker.It was not until i used the van for first time after service that i found my digital balance for checking gas in bottle had gone, presumably engineer was probably a fisherman.I now empty completely.
I have cleared it out but cushions and bed mattress left in place. Its amazing how much duvets and pillows weigh. I will ask them when I take it up there, so I will know for next year. They are also going to wash the outside of the van. I just hope they don't direct pressure jets at the mastic sealant.
We take out the water barrels, waste master, awning and anything large on the floor. All other stuff is left in the caravan except alcoholic beverages.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.