Getting your caravan or motorhome ready for spring

While you're sitting at home in your house, it's easy to forget that your caravan or motorhome is just waiting for its first outing of the year. While winter is the time that many people have had their caravans or motorhomes stored in the garage or outside under cover, Spring is much closer than you might think! If you want to be sure that your caravan is ready for spring, a full annual service is the best way to do this. Once you've had it serviced and cleaned out ready for any new season adventures, there are a number of jobs that will need doing before you set off again – including checking for leaks and damp as well as looking out for any cracks or dents in the bodywork.

Get your caravan or motorhome serviced

When Spring is upon you, it's time to think about getting your caravan or motorhome serviced for the road. This is actually a very important piece of preparation for the warmer weather. It's a good idea to get your motorhome or caravan serviced by a qualified mechanic, who can check all the things that can hamper a holiday later on. Tyres, brakes, suspension, electrics, gas, battery, roof and seals are all areas worth checking. 

Check for leaks

After an unsettled winter, it's a good idea to check for leaks in your van and make sure it's ready for spring. It's actually surprising how much a little bit of water can make for an unhappy caravan, so it's a good idea to check the roof, windows, gutters and seals for damp or damage. If you find anything, repair it as soon as possible because this can lead to mould which will only get worse in wet weather. And let's face it. In the UK, even in the height of summer we enjoy a bit of rain here and there!

Look at the inside of your van - if you see signs of damp on any surfaces you need to clean them off immediately before they get worse or start smelling bad! You can purchase a range of cleaners that will help you and if you want to give you caravan or motorhome a bit of a pre-Spring dry out, some drying crystals. These will soak up any moisture in the air easily. 

Make sure that all gas appliances work properly, including cookers and refrigerators (check these with a meter and use a qualified Gas Engineer to give you a certificate of safety). You'll also need a gas safety certificate if there are gas appliances installed in your vehicle - this should be given by a qualified engineer upon completion of installation work. 

Check for damp

Check under the sink for damp. If there's any, it could be from condensation from a leaky pipe, or from water leaking through into the cupboards below the sink. (If you have a gas cooker, check that all connections are tight.)

Check for damp on the floor. This may be caused by water leaking through holes in your roof and onto your caravan's carpeted flooring or vinyl. You should also look out for damp patches on walls and ceilings; these are usually due to condensation caused by leaks in windows or skylight hatches (if you have one). If there’s no obvious source of moisture damage then check to see if there is mould growing anywhere – this could indicate a problem with ventilation inside your motorhome which needs addressing before winter returns next year! Again, if moisture is there simply due to differing temperatures, some damp crystals will help to reduce that moisture. 

Check the inside of your van

Now it’s time to start checking the inside of your van. This is where many people like to relax and spend their time, so it's important that you take care of it as best you can. Make sure all windows are closed, especially if there have been any leaks from above. Check the roof inside and out too, as this is an area where water can get in easily when things rain down on top during the winter. Gutters need cleaning regularly because they allow leaves and debris into the vehicle when they're covered up with dirt or moss, so it's a good idea to give them a good clean. 

Checking seals around doors and windows will also help keep out moisture – these can be removed for cleaning if needed too! If there are any leaks from above or elsewhere within your caravan/motorhome then make sure they're dealt with before taking off on a trip somewhere else: if not fixed properly then could cause serious damage to both floors - including rot which could lead onto damp patches appearing elsewhere within this area too (such as under seats).

Checking gas supply means checking connections are tight between tanks (if applicable) plus ensure hoses aren't damaged either - check these weekly during use throughout summer months so nothing slips through unnoticed until later down road when something bad happens due being left unattended too long without checking regularly enough firstly though beforehand!

Check your gas supply

Check the gas bottle is safe. Gas bottles should be kept in a well-ventilated area, away from any naked flames or smoking materials. Make sure you have enough gas for your trip, as it's not good to run out of fuel if you're far from home. It's also important that the regulator on your trailer's gas supply pipe is working correctly and there are no leaks in its connections, as these could create hazardous situations if there was a fire or explosion in your caravan or motorhome.

Check there aren't any leaks around the connector fittings of your new bottle when refuelling. If you suspect you might have a leak, stop at once and take note of where it occurs – this way you can get help right away if needed!

Check your electrics, including battery

Check your battery. Make sure it’s in good condition, that the terminals are clean and tight, and that it’s connected properly. If you don’t know how to do this yourself, ask a friend or family member with electrical knowledge to help out.

Check your fuse box. If you can see any corrosion on the metal plates inside, use a wire brush to clean them off before turning back on your electrics—this will avoid any risk of short circuits during springtime rainstorms!

You'll need a gas safety certificate if you're taking on a pitch.

As well as the usual checks that you'll need to do before setting off, there are some extra steps you can take to make sure your van is ready for the spring.

If you're planning on taking on a pitch this season, then there's one important thing that you'll need: a gas safety certificate. As well as ensuring your caravan has all its lights working correctly, this is also an important piece of documentation for anyone who uses gas appliances in their home (which includes most caravans).

A gas safety check will cost around £40 and should be carried out by someone who has been trained and authorised by an official body.

Look out for any cracks or dents in your bodywork

As you go about your spring cleaning, it's important to remember to check for any cracks or dents in your caravan bodywork. This could be a potential hazard if you are driving in bad weather conditions, such as heavy rain and snow. Cracks and dents can allow water to get inside the vehicle, and this can cause electrical faults on your appliances.

It's a good idea to carry out an inspection of all sides of the body of your caravan for any signs of damage before using it again after winter storage. There are several ways that cracks could form:

• Driving into tree branches or other objects
• Being hit by another vehicle
• Being involved in an accident with another vehicle
• A reversing issue
• A dent of unknown origin
• Damage while moving ready for Spring

Caravans should go through a full annual service to ensure they are safe to use and any certificates (electrical or gas) are vital for a safe and happy holiday!