Regular servicing of your caravan or motor home should pay off in the long run with greater reliability and improved resale value. Problems are more likely to be found at an early stage, which could be resolved at a considerably smaller cost than one left for months if not years, particularly in the case of water ingress damage.
However, there are safety and legal issues to consider too. Every vehicle or trailer is required by law to be in a condition where is does not cause danger to others. Some items you can easily check for yourself, such as tyres and lights, but the braking system and the electrical and gas items inside the habitation area are best left to experts to ensure that you are not to risk your safety or that of others.
At the end of the service you obtain a copy of the full, detailed, report. We will go through this report with you and discuss what we have done and, if any issues have arisen, the best course of action. As you can see from this sample service report, we are extremely thorough. We don’t just tick boxes; we add numerous comments on the condition of each aspect of you caravan or motorhome so you have peace of mind knowing the service ability of each area has been assessed thoroughly.
Full example of a normal service report for a caravan
This combines both a chassis service and habitation service together. Items inspected are:
Single Axle: £210
Twin Axle: £250
This is for a motor home or a caravan that is permanently sited. Items inspected are:
Habitation Only: £150
This is for just the running gear of the caravan or trailer. Items inspected are:
Chassis Only: £150
Water ingress is the biggest hidden killer of caravans. Once a must smell or marking of wallboards appear, the ingress is advanced and any repair will be substantial and costly. Damp can effect, to a degree, almost all caravans and motorhomes at some point in their lifetime?
The construction of most caravans is made up of a wooden subfra
Water ingress is the biggest hidden killer of caravans. Once a must smell or marking of wallboards appear, the ingress is advanced and any repair will be substantial and costly. Damp can effect, to a degree, almost all caravans and motorhomes at some point in their lifetime?
The construction of most caravans is made up of a wooden subframe made from soft wood and hardboard interior walls. When water gains access to the subframe it soaks it up like a sponge and subsequently the rot begins. This water does not have to be excessive; a small drip over time can still have the same effect. There are a number of reasons as to how the water gains access to the subframe, here a just a few examples: accidental damage to your caravan’s bodywork, DIY work that hasn’t been properly sealed and finished, exterior seals failing. We recommend that all vehicles be damp tested at least once a year so any ingress is found at an early stage and can be resolved inexpensively.
However, if damage is found which requires the replacement of damaged wallboards and timber framework we will use, where possible, original manufacturer’s parts to restore the interior to as near original condition as possible. Along with the interior restoration work, it is also vital that all possible points of entry of the water are resealed to prevent future problems.
We recommend that damp repairs, once completed, are checked at regular intervals to ensure the water ingress has been stopped.
Damp Check: £100
Looking to buy a secondhand caravan or motorhome? Worried about missing work that a van needs? Or if it’s fit for sale? A Pre-Purchase Inspection service will provide you with a report on the condition of the caravan or the habitation section of a motorhome, that you are considering buying.
We will travel, within our service area, to chec
Looking to buy a secondhand caravan or motorhome? Worried about missing work that a van needs? Or if it’s fit for sale? A Pre-Purchase Inspection service will provide you with a report on the condition of the caravan or the habitation section of a motorhome, that you are considering buying.
We will travel, within our service area, to check over a caravan or motorhome (with the sellers permission) prior to its purchase, to inspect for any potential issues, such as damp testing or general safety and appliance testing. A pre purchase inspection allows you to make informed decisions before you buy and giving you complete peace of mind.
An inspection report relates only to the condition of the caravan or motorhome at the time of completion of the inspection. We do not inspect the motor, engine or drive gear of a motorhome. Guarantee or warranty is not offered or implied in any way, We do not value of the caravan only advise on possible cost of repairs or issues found.
Pre Purchase inspection: POA
Most motorhomes and caravans are built and supplied with blue antifreeze installed. This degrades and requires flushing after 2 years. If it's not changed, it becomes less effective as an antifreeze and could put your system at risk of damage or costly replacement.
Alde recommend that the origin
Most motorhomes and caravans are built and supplied with blue antifreeze installed. This degrades and requires flushing after 2 years. If it's not changed, it becomes less effective as an antifreeze and could put your system at risk of damage or costly replacement.
Alde recommend that the original blue fluid is replaced by a specific pink antifreeze that lasts for 5 years. Whilst the blue antifreeze is cheaper than the pink, the cost of changing blue fluid twice in 5 years far outweighs the extra cost of the pink fluid (changed once in the same period).
In the worst case scenario, when the inhibitors in the antifreeze become weak, the boiler can corrode to the point where it fails and will no longer work. This is a very expensive item to replace.
As an Alde approved engineer I can change the heating fluid in your motorhome or caravan at your home or on site, using the ALDE approved equipment.
ALDE Fluid Change: £160