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Subject Topic: Need to book a service - scared!
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05/8/2013 at 8:38pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Berghaus Nightfall4
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We purchased our 1994 Compass last month and have had three great weekends away so far but I know we need a full service really as we have no service history (we have all the Criss docs and stuff so nothing dodgy about it) and I am terrified there will be something awful wrong with it. Would it be apparent? Would we know? OH says the brakes etc all feel fine when he tows and inside feels dry and firm. We haven't touched the gas at all just in case. The only evident problem we can 'see' is that we get a sort of grinding noise when we turn corners so we think we need a new hitch socket thingy (excuse my ignorance lol!) as more grease hasn't eased the problem. I am really, really scared though that my beautiful caravan will be declared unfit for use and have something terrible wrong with her!









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05/8/2013 at 9:20pm
 Location: None Entered
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i wouldn't worry most things can be repaired fairly easily other than dampness. I would get it serviced though just to make sure it is safe to be on the orad if anything and of course to get the gas tested. I had my 1999 van serviced when i bought it and nothing was wrong with it.

 



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05/8/2013 at 9:33pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Berghaus Nightfall4
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That's encouraging anyway, thank you. I am far too scared to go near the gas at the moment lol. Thank goodness for BBQs!


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05/8/2013 at 9:35pm
 Location: flint north wales
 Outfit: swift challenger 480se 2002
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to be honest with a nearly 20 year old van ,as long as its roadworthy and gas safe ,sod the rest; if its got a couple of leaks so what ,just use it and enjoy it

all you need to know is ,are the tires o.k ,is the gas free from leaks ,are the brakes working ,and is the tow ball /hitch etc working correctly everything else is down to personal taste and comfort as long as you don't have water dripping down your neck as you sleep why worry


05/8/2013 at 9:37pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Berghaus Nightfall4
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Lol! That is one good thing with all the rain we've had the last two weekends, we know she doesn't leak! :-D

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05/8/2013 at 10:21pm
 Location: Leicester
 Outfit: coachman avocet565 + discovery sport
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get the service done and worry afterwards if necessary. By the way are you sure your hitch needs grease?? I know ours is a dry hitch and unwanted grease makes it groan horribly!!

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Chris


05/8/2013 at 10:30pm
 Location: Keswick
 Outfit: Bailey
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Two schools of thought

1. keep going without having anything checked and you may find out the really hard way that something is wrong.

2. Get it serviced and find out if anything is wrong and then get it sorted for years of happy caravanning

 

Go with the second school of thought!!

Phil



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If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe    


05/8/2013 at 11:01pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Berghaus Nightfall4
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Phil, it's definitely getting serviced!

The hitch is just a bog standard one. Am I right in thinking Alco hitches work with friction but just a normal hitch needs grease?

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05/8/2013 at 11:34pm
 Location: essex
 Outfit: Abbey Vogue 460
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I recently bought a 1990 Elddis Tornado and one of the first things I did was to get it serviced. Apart from the cost of the service it cost me £10 in spare parts and was for new gas hoses. For me money well spent because I now know I have a safe and road worthy caravan. taking it for it's first outing in a couple of weeks time.


06/8/2013 at 5:31am
 Location: The foot hills of no
 Outfit:  A full biohazard su
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If you have the blade sort of stabilizer that's what's grinding! Nowt to worry about it shows it's working ok

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David

    

I've stood on Lego and didn't even cry!!


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06/8/2013 at 6:34am
 Location: Cornwall
 Outfit:  Hobby 650 Ec low profile motorhome
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Greetings,

Belts and braces really.
You haven't touched the gas (and quite rightly too) but 'ordinarily' gas appliances and that side of things aren't usually checked on a service (specifically the fridge)
Make sure they get checked.

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How come when some people visit the fountain of knowledge, they only gargle!!!


06/8/2013 at 8:05am
 Location: south cheshire
 Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi
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Quote: Originally posted by the black fox on 05/8/2013
to be honest with a nearly 20 year old van ,as long as its roadworthy and gas safe ,sod the rest; if its got a couple of leaks so what ,just use it and enjoy it

all you need to know is ,are the tires o.k ,is the gas free from leaks ,are the brakes working ,and is the tow ball /hitch etc working correctly everything else is down to personal taste and comfort as long as you don't have water dripping down your neck as you sleep why worry



I agree! Mine is a 1982 vintage! I had a gas and electric check (needed new gas pipes and an RCD unit fitted) and also had a chassis check. Well worth it for the peace of mind.

Although the hitch is the original one, it's a dry hitch with an integral stabiliser, so no grease.


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06/8/2013 at 11:50am
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: None Entered
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Just bought a 1990 Avondale Wren and had a full service,including all gas and electric appliances. Gas hose changed and new pump fitted. Tyres replaced and I now feel confident that the van is roadworthy and in reasonable condition for it's age. The total cost, including tyres was £240. A small price to pay for peace of mind!

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Ronni


06/8/2013 at 12:01pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Berghaus Nightfall4
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Quote: Originally posted by moppetsdad on 06/8/2013
If you have the blade sort of stabilizer that's what's grinding! Nowt to worry about it shows it's working ok



Yes, that's what we have! Excellent, thank you :-D


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It's summer again, caravan time! Hurrah!


06/8/2013 at 12:03pm
 Location: Northants
 Outfit: Berghaus Nightfall4
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Quote: Originally posted by Ronni54 on 06/8/2013
Just bought a 1990 Avondale Wren and had a full service,including all gas and electric appliances. Gas hose changed and new pump fitted. Tyres replaced and I now feel confident that the van is roadworthy and in reasonable condition for it's age. The total cost, including tyres was £240. A small price to pay for peace of mind!



We've already replaced a tyre as it had a leaky valve so hopefully not too much else to do then. £240 is more than reasonable :-) You can't put a price on safety anyway!

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It's summer again, caravan time! Hurrah!


07/8/2013 at 1:09pm
 Location: East Midlands
 Outfit: Coachman VIP 575.Santa Fe
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Suggest use a mobile fitter. Cheaper and will talk you through it and show what is needed if anything.

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Mister G



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