After a long winter, it’s the perfect time to start planning your summer road trips! But before you hitch up and head off with your caravan in tow, there’s a few things you need to do to prepare your caravan for stress-free summer holidays. Safe T Tyre is Australia’s trusted supplier of high quality tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) and we stock high quality, accurate TPMS devices for all types of vehicles to ensure an optimal level of on-road safety. Here’s a few important tasks you should do to ensure your caravan is ready for the road.
Book in for a Service
It is recommended that you get your caravan or motorhome serviced professionally on an annual basis. This will help to ensure that all of the caravan’s vital systems are safe and ready for use. Generally, a complete service will check the chassis, electrics, tyres, brakes and the hitch to make sure it is safe for travelling. Whether your van is old or new, a thorough service will keep it in top working condition so you can travel easy.
Clean and Sterilise the Water System
While your water system should have been drained before you put your caravan into storage for the winter, it’s a good idea to flush your system with sterilising solution. This will ensure you have access to healthy, fresh water during your next adventure. You can also sterilise the grey water tank, while this isn’t essential it can help remove unpleasant smells.
Reconnect the Battery
When your van was in storage, the battery should have been removed and charged every so often to keep it healthy. If so, you will need to reconnect the battery:
- Clean the caravan leads and battery terminals with contact cleaner
- Be sure to get the connections the right way round
- Check the system by testing the interior lights and water pump
If your battery has gone completely flat, it may not hold a charge and will need replacing.
Check the Wheels and Tyres
Tyres are vital to your overall on-road safety when towing a caravan, so it is essential you’re your wheels and tyres are in good working order.
- Check the tread depth – in insufficient depth will mean that you need to replace your tyres.
- Check side walls and treads for splits and cracks.
- Check the pressures in each tyre and inflate if needed. The right tyre pressure can usually be found in your caravan’s handbook.
Tyre pressure monitoring systems are a great way to ensure that your tyres are always properly inflated. They are an affordable and easy-to-install accessory that will alert the driver to any changes in tyre pressure. They can be fitted to vehicles of all types, including caravans and motorhomes.
Check and Re-Fill Gas Bottles
Get out your gas bottles and get them re-filled so that they are completely full, ready for your next trip. You should also check the rubber hoses in your gas system for splits or cracks and change them every 2 years regardless of condition, as they can degrade over time.
Check Your Safety Supplies
While many caravanning enthusiasts set up at holiday parks with easy access to safety equipment and other facilities nearby, it’s important to have access to a range of safety items to make sure your group will be safe even in remote locations. All caravans should have a comprehensive first aid kit as well as a fire extinguisher and fire blanket. Before you set off, check that these items are still in good working order and replace if need be.
Make Your Caravan Safer with a TPMS from Safe T Tyre
Summer is just around the corner, and there’s nothing better than setting off on a caravanning adventure. If you have made all the necessary pre-trip checks but want to go the extra mile to ensure your safety on the road, purchase a tyre pressure monitoring system from Safe T Tyre today. Get in touch with us by calling 1800 876 700 or contact us online now.