Annual servicing is important to maintain functionality of all appliances and systems, and ensure safety. Your caravan manufacturer’s warranty, and often the terms and conditions in insurance policies will require that regular servicing is undertaken by a professional.

We are often asked why annual servicing is necessary. The answer is simple: corrosion, extremes of cold and heat and vibration all cause deterioration.

At TourerCare our servicing package is focused on these safety requirements. We check that the van is roadworthy, inspecting the braking system and chassis. All electrical systems are tested with specialist equipment, and similarly the gas systems. The service will also include a dampness inspection, carried out with a meter designed specifically for this purpose.

Our mobile workshop will come you at your home or storage location, or you can bring your van to us. Typically a standard service will take around 4 to 5 hours.

Caravan Service Schedule & Pricing

Coupling, overrun mechanism and damper, friction pads in stabiliser, jockey wheel, corner steadies – check operation, clean, lubricate and adjust as necessary

Visual inspection of chassis, breakaway cable, drawbar gaiter, brake rods and supports

Inspect and test 12V road lighting electrical system

Remove wheels and check for damage, pressure, age and undue wear

Remove brake drums, check linings, bearings and seals – clean and lubricate as needed

Adjust brakes if required

Check suspension assemblies, replace drums and one-shot nuts – torque hub nuts and road wheel nuts to manufacturer’s specification

Check operation of water pump and pressure switch (if fitted)

Check condition of water inlet housing and water filter (replace if requested)

Inspect and test shower fittings and taps, check microswitches (if fitted)

Check operation of toilet flush, blade and seal

Check overall condition of fresh and waste water pipes, fittings and drain valves

Carry out a gas tightness test (check for leaks), check regulator performance, check age and condition of flexible hoses, visual inspection of all fixed pipework, including filler assembly for refillable LPG systems (if fitted)

Check bottles are secured firmly and that all gas dispersal holes are unobstructed

Fridge operation is checked, included cooling, ignition and flame failure device

Hob, oven and grill are checked – ignition, flame picture, and flame failure device

Water heater is checked for ignition, flame failure device and heating operation

Space heater – operation of the ignition, flame failure device and ability to provide heat are checked

FLUE GAS ANALYSIS (Where considered appropriate – optional service) – we use sophisticated electronic equipment to sample the flue gases from each gas appliance. This provides a reading of the products of combustion, identifying if the appliance is burning “cleanly” or is in poor condition and needs servicing.

Note that a standard service does not include intrusive servicing of the gas appliances. If the tests above indicate a potential issue the engineer may discuss the need to dismantle the appliance and service the burners.

Visual inspection and continuity check for mains cable and inlet

Use test equipment to force trip of RCD, check polarity and check earth bonding

Check all sockets and switches

Test battery charger is operating as expected

Functional test of mains water heater, space heater, fridge and cooker/hob (if fitted) – in each case the current readings from the test equipment are checked against manufacturer’s specifications

Visual inspection of towbar plugs and associated cables – function check of all road lights, charging circuit and fridge operation on 12V

Test all 12V lights, wiring and sockets including awning light.

Test blown air heating system (if fitted)

Test battery condition, clean and lubricate terminals

Applies to vans which a Sargent Power Supply Unit and controls (e.g. Swift, Auto Trail, Auto Sleeper)

We are authorised by Sargent to download the latest software to your controls

Typically this will eliminate software bugs, and often will deliver new functions on the control panel

Full damp check according to the manufacturer’s specifications using electronic test equipment

Check operation of all locks and stays on cupboards

Check operation of all window and skylight seals, locks and assist struts

Check for delamination of floor

Check operation of smoke alarm and CO detector

Check positioning and condition of fire blankets and extinguishers

The National Caravan Council recommends that a full Electrical Installation and Condition Report (EICR) is carried out every three years (this is to a similar standard as the electrical certificate for a rented house). The EICR is a detailed check of every aspect of the vehicle’s 230V electrical system. It includes:

Check earthing and bonding

Insulation testing, especially the mains hookup cable

Check consumer unit and all cable runs for damage, faults, and “hot spots” created by loose connections

Continuity tests for every outlet and appliance

Standard service

  • single axle from £299 (excludes parts)
  • twin axle from £359 (excludes parts)
  • EICR add £120
  • Firmware upgrade for Sargent controls £30
  • ALDE antifreeze change £160 if included with a service (plus cost of fluids)

Prices include VAT at current rates

Premium includes the additional options of flue gas analysis, and the Electrical Installation and Condition Report, as recommended by NCC at three year intervals. If your van is more than 10 years old and this has not been done it is strongly recommended.

Found a cheaper quote?

We think our pricing is fair and competitive, it reflects our overheads and the time needed to do the job properly. If you have a cheaper quote ask these questions:

How long will the service take? If it takes any less than 4 hours then items have been skipped. You might be surprised at how many vans we service which still have the manufacturer’s seal on the hubs, but are several years old!

Is the engineer trained and certified, especially for electrical and gas work? Has the business achieved “Approved Workshop” status? Is it Gas Safe registered?

Does the engineer have specialist equipment to carry out insulation and continuity testing, or flue gas analysis?

Has the engineer completed the certification required by appliance manufacturers such as Truma, Dometic, Thetford to be a service partner? Does he/she have the manufacturer’s diagnostic tools and software?

Is the engineer operating with full liability insurance?

Are all electronic instruments and torque wrenches re-calibrated on an annual basis?

Does the engineer carry a full range of spares for a first time fix, or will there be a charge for a second visit? (note that some franchised operations have a policy of not carrying out repairs of any description)

Please note that TourerCare does not service caravans that are being used as your full-time home.

There are a number of things that you will need to do to assist the engineer when he arrives on site. Please read our “be ready for your service visit” page.

The engineer is equipped with protective covers to keep any carpets clean inside the van.

If access is a problem, we can carry out caravan servicing at our base where we have a workshop and limited storage.