One of the quickest ways to put a dampener on a dream trip is to suffer some sort of breakdown or mechanical failure, but a new report shows that a huge proportion of caravanners are not across basic maintenance tasks.
Research from Queensland motoring organisation, the RACQ, revealed that almost a third (30%) of caravanners wait for a breakdown before doing any maintenance on their van.
Equally surprising was the fact that some 41% failed to refresh their driving skills before hitting the road.
According to RACQ’s state-wide survey, 32% of Queenslanders see servicing costs as the greatest challenge in caravan maintenance, while almost one in five (18%) consider finding a qualified repairer as their main hurdle.
Carrying out regular maintenance work helps keep trips on track. PIC: Cizza
RACQ General Manager Automotive and Mobility Services, Mark Boswell, said a simple safety check before the trip can be the difference between a smooth holiday and a breakdown on the side of the road.
“We know cost-of-living pressures are continuing to impact households, but regular servicing helps identify small issues early, before they turn into larger, more costly problems,” Mr Boswell said. “Keeping your caravan and vehicle regularly maintained also improves fuel efficiency which in turn helps you save at the bowser while prices are high.”
The RACQ said that ideally people should be servicing their caravans at least every 12 months and even more often if they went off-road or travelled over sandy terrain or through water.
“Before hitting the road, caravanners should take the time to check their tyre pressure and condition, lights and indicators, brakes, water and gas systems, along with the tow hitch and wheel bearings,” Mr Boswell said. “These checks don’t take long, but they can make a big difference to safety and peace of mind while travelling.”
And the RACQ said it was just as important that drivers were properly prepared.
“Brushing up on caravan towing techniques, checking your vehicle and caravan before you go, driving to the conditions and giving yourself extra breaking distance between you and the vehicle in front can help every road user arrive at their destination safely,” Mr Boswell said. “Allowing extra travel time, taking regular breaks and eliminating distractions are also critical steps drivers should follow when they get behind the wheel.”
The RACQ said its roadside assistance fleet attended more than 2,000 callouts for caravans and motorists towing trailers in 2025, underpinning the importance of preparation.
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It doesn’t take more than a few minutes to check the vehicle electrics, hitch and tyres which are the three most basic towing requirements. We check them each time we re-couple, so sometimes daily. Wheel bearings take a little longer. Maybe every few thousand kilometres. But a spot feel for heated bearings after a longish drive will warn you of any impending problems.Those are the issues which will affect you and other drivers.
As for gas and water supply, stove, refrigeration and house power: why wouldn’t you check them regularly to avoid going cold, dry, raw, hot or dark?
Our van has a service every 12 months & before every trip I slide under the van looking for damage broken cracked springs etc. I even check the tension on the wheel nuts. Regularly grease the grease points. Inspect & tighten screws etc inside the van. In doing these little jobs I find you are more relaxed when traveling. Isnt it better to pay $400 to $600 and know your brakes work than be stuck on the side of the road in 42 degree heat.
We have been behind a caravan when the bearings have let go and dodging the spat out wheel and axle.
You only have to look at some vans & you can see there not serviced does this mean there tow vehicles are in same condition.
Im not a “goody two shoes” I would never forgive myself if I caused an accident or injured someone or cause an injury to my “Handbrake” sitting next to me.
Trying to get some one qualified to attend an on site service is hard but so many so called service people never return calls or messages even after the initial call, then telling you we will get back to you with a price and time we can do it, currently trying to get a shower hatch repaired, a caravan service and an inverter installed, after numerous calls (6) and 3 emails still waiting.
Derek, have you tried your Local Caravan Dealer Our Caravan is a JAYCO
& I have our Caravan Serviced by our Dealer where we Bought our Caravan as NEW. it is now 6 Y.O and has to date not given us any Trouble.
We simply SAVE UP for our forward Planned Service which is around $600 to $700.
but can be Lower if you exclude things like A.C. Service & checking all Internal Lights ETC. Still cheaper than Losing a Wheel while Towing along the Road.
Derek, we have a vert good caravan service man, he checks everything for under $500. and he comes to you. He is on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.
I don’t think we are allowed to give contact details?
I service before every trip. Tyre check, wheel nuts, spare tyre condition and pressure, grease all nipples, brake check, bearing check and grease (if it’s a long trip), wheel alignment if we’ve been on rough stuff, tow ball check, all lights checked.
I do all my own maintenance and have just finished redoing the front vinyl, after 21 yrs of severe wear and tear.
A did my own wheel alignment, in the Lightning Ridge Caravan Park, after scrubbing a tyre out on the dirt. Nobody in town could do it apparently, so I googled it. Quick trip for some hardware and all fixed. That was 5 yrs ago and I haven’t had to touch it since.
Wheel bearings and electric brakes are critical so they get replaced and/or greased regularly.
A good check underneath for cracks and/or bent stuff is also valuable. Lost water is not good in isolated areas.
I have always had my vans serviced at 12 monthly intervals, In between I check tire pressures grease point couplings and other fittings. I also get under van roughly 6 monthly and do a visual inspection. If there is any surface rust I sand it and then spray with cold gal. This makes me more comfortable when towing my van and allows for a better trip.
Service once a year. Brakes bearings Greasing clean out water tanks.
Always, prior to any trip, there is the checklist.
and immediately after any journey, comes the repairs and more serious maintenance so as to be ready for the next trip.
Always, after every trip, check the bearing and brakes, full pulldown and check.
Tyres are checked before, during and after the trip
Braking tested before and after every stop.
Tyre pressure every stay, and checked for hot spots and wear at every stop.
Bearing temperature is an easy check just by putting your hand on the bearing cap. anything over warm is cause for concern.
and always, every single time, test the electric brakes before heading onto the road.
The frame and other components are visually and “tap” tested after returning from every trip.
and then there is the car……….
My old man towed caravans for 20 yrs. He never believed in servicing wheel bearings unless he drove thru deep waters. Didnt know his weight limits. Didnt know anything about tow ball weight. I once looked at his tyres and asked what tyre pressures he ran. He couldnt answer me. I checked them with a pressure gauge and found the lowest tyre at 18psi and the spare had 12 psi. Never had an accident but zero education on safety.
Wow. So lucky.
We have it serviced after our three month trip from up North, and a full service for under $500. and the mobile caravan service comes to you, and explaines everything on what he is doing and why.
I have vehicle serviced before any major trip regardless of odometer reading.
Caravan is serviced yearly and visual inspection prior to any trip. Carry spare bearings, water pump, one leaf springs and water/ gas connectors.
For major breakdowns I have top NRMA cover
Some one has to keep locals in work seeing new cars are so reliable
Everyone keeps banging on about spending local, this ensures it
I do my own servicing. Anode every year or so. It’s always go about 80% left. Inspect wheel bearings every couple of years, and grease. I carry a spare set. Changed the bearings for good quality ones when van was a year old. Annually grease suspension. Changed tyres recently, not worn, too old. 7 years. Check wheel nuts with torque wrench. Have tyre pressure monitor. It has alarmed a couple of times. I have seen vans with missing wheels and shredded tyres. I also carry a Gun type IR thermometer to monitor bearings.
Maintenance is essential.
Tug and van are serviced regularly. Van service by mechanic comprises, tyres (which are totally replaced10 yearly regardless of wear), brakes, suspension, visual inspection underneath. Anode is replaced annually by me. Gas fitter pressure check every 10 year. Damage is repaired as it occurs.
whilst touring wheels inspected (hand on hubs after approx one hour travel). Lights are checked daily prior to any travel or after hitching up.
I service my van regularly, before every trip I have a check list
Check tyre pressures and tread wear
Check and grease hitch, making sure all bolts are tight
Do a light check
Do a brake check
Check everything under the van is secure
Check water and gas fittings
Check battery condition
Annually I do the following
Do a safety check under the van
Check wheel bearings, I replace them every 10,000 km
While doing the wheel bearings I check the brakes are functioning correctly.
I do a tyre wear check and rotate 5 wheels if needed I turn the tyres on the rim.
I also grease the TV aerial
We do a lot of dirt roads so I believe it’s important to check everything