After my caravan has stood overwinter, it seems a bit foolish to think I could hitch it up and just go.
With reference to the running gear - Should I look to take it out just for a quick trial run to make sure everything is working ok before the day I go off on holiday?
I can just imagine getting ready to set off and something is wrong, not working or whatever.
Forgive my ignorance, I've only owned a caravan for one season and this is the first overwinter!
I know to make sure everything inside the van is running ok, I was just worried about the running gear. The other thread mentions a lot about that aspect - like WD40 for somethings, greasing this and that, so I think I should be ok now.
Still not sure if I should take it for a spin around the block before setting off on first holiday next year!
check nuts are tight and tyres should not be over 5 years old and the correct pressure with no cracks on the wall side.take it out for a spin by all means as any brake problems will show in few miles of towing.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
We usually have a weekend at a very local site just to make sure everything is ok. Having the van serviced at the end of the season will usually ensure no mechanical probs
------------- hawk
"Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone"
I have the body of a greek god - its in my freezer
Have had the chassis, ie brakes/wheel bearings/coupling serviced since you have own caravan? If not book it into a caravan service place for a 'chassis service' about £80.
Otherwise check wheelnuts, squirt lithium grease(in aerosol from Halfords)on corner steady moving parts & coupling & handbrake. If you have a grease gun, grease nipples on coupling. Check tyre pressures, do this on the first forecourt you reach.
I would give it a tow for a few miles to check its ok, do tyre pressures then.
First job after a winter away from the van .......sit in it...make a cup of tea.....and calmly list all of the above jobs to do.........
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 10/1/2011Have had the chassis, ie brakes/wheel bearings/coupling serviced since you have own caravan? If not book it into a caravan service place for a 'chassis service' about £80.
Otherwise check wheelnuts, squirt lithium grease(in aerosol from Halfords)on corner steady moving parts & coupling & handbrake. If you have a grease gun, grease nipples on coupling. Check tyre pressures, do this on the first forecourt you reach.
I would give it a tow for a few miles to check its ok, do tyre pressures then.
I had it checked over when I bought it at the beginning of last year. Been good all last season. Was wondering whether to get a mobile engineer out to check out the chassis, but it sounds easy enough to get someone local to do what you suggest for me.
/What's lithium grease - same as WD40 or better. I've just got 'grease' on my corner steadies.
I have jacked it up over winter and turned the wheels round a bit. Checked leisure battery was ok... But that's all.
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Topic: In the Spring, what first?
