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 Topic: Annual service overkill.
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02/11/2018 at 12:26pm
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Considering the small mileage covered by most touring caravans, a full service every 12 months is not really necessary. It only has to be done to meet the warranty conditions laid down by the manufacturers. A service every two years would, I think, be sufficient. The only thing that has kept us to the annual service has been the 10-year water ingress warranty, which we had to use when the van was about 18 months old. It is now coming up to 7 years old, so this will be the last annual service, and we will risk losing the last 3 years if the shell passes muster this time. From then on, it will be serviced every 2 years.
Bertie.
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02/11/2018 at 12:41pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
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I think you can get away with having a caravan serviced once every other year providing that you check the tyres for cracks and any other detrimental wear and tear. My service engineer told me that when he services caravans the one thing that quite often fail are the tyres so it's a point to remember in keeping safety in mind during the two year period. However, something to bear in mind is that if you have your caravan insured, then you are supposed to have the annual service conducted otherwise if you do have to make a claim and cannot present an up to date service sheet then they could refuse to pay out on those grounds.
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02/11/2018 at 12:52pm
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There is perhaps a case for different levels of service,a bit like cars.
We are touring for around 3,000 miles a year and living in the van for 4+ months. I feel a full service each year is important.
If you drive to a site, spend your 2 weeks there, and then return home; the need for a full service is obviously less
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02/11/2018 at 12:57pm
Location: County Durham
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Don't forget that services aren't just about water ingress or state of tyres, they also check that your gas supply is working fully and there are no leaks etc.
If your happy running the potential risk of carbon monoxide poisoning then fine, personally I think £150 once a year isn't too much to ask, but hey, each to their own I suppose.
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02/11/2018 at 2:22pm
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A basic test every time the caravan is used should be to test fire and CO alarms and RCD operation not leave it till an annual service.
You could get carbon monoxide poisoning in the interim period!
saxo1
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02/11/2018 at 4:04pm
Location: Essex
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I travel about 6000 miles a year with my caravan and live in all told about 8 months a year, I test the carbon monoxide and fire alarm each time I go out, I look at my tyres and check the pressures regularly. I got it second hand a few months ago and now have no warranty due to its age. I will still get it done annually as six of my eight months is spent touring abroad and it gives me peace of mind to know the mechanical bits are all checked and prevention is better than cure.........
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02/11/2018 at 4:17pm
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I am sure that if an annual service contract on a kettle was offered, a certain percentage of the population would take it up.
I agree once every two years is fine, especially if you don't do so many miles.
Unfortunately the T&C's of the warranty on new caravans force the owners to have the service annually.
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02/11/2018 at 5:27pm
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Quote: Originally posted by woodman2 on 02/11/2018
I agree once every two years is fine, especially if you don't do so many miles.
Unfortunately the T&C's of the warranty on new caravans force the owners to have the service annually.
That's what I was getting at. Tango55 makes a fair point about insurance and the van not having been serviced annually. But many cars on variable mileage servicing can acceptably go over two years without going into a garage. Surely the roadworthiness of a caravan can go for a similar time, and most vans still covering nowhere near the mileage for the average car.
Or, as another alternative, caravan service engineers do selected service plans - one being for running gear only.
Bertie.
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02/11/2018 at 5:47pm
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apart from checking things over.. something the owner should do anyway.. what does a service actually entail..
no a lot by my reckoning..
trog
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02/11/2018 at 6:01pm
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Many insurers only require that the caravan is kept in a roadworthy condition,they don't require it to have an annual service.
saxo1
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02/11/2018 at 6:50pm
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Quote: Originally posted by keuken on 02/11/2018
Most caravan workshops or mobile service person will do a chassis service only. Sealed bearings are maintenance free so all a chassis service consists of is remove wheels & drums. Clean/check/adjust brakes. Check lights/hitch damper/tyres & grease the nipples. Parts supplied will be new hub nuts. Any other parts as required.
removing the drums for sure dosnt need doing every year.. maybe once every ten years or 20000 miles.. :)
brake wear can be checked by looking at the back plate and adjustment again that dosnt need doing very often..
tyres.. well they need checking every trip.. no once a year there..
trog
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02/11/2018 at 9:28pm
Location: Lichfield
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Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 02/11/2018
Many insurers only require that the caravan is kept in a roadworthy condition,they don't require it to have an annual service.
saxo1
Absolutely right but to prove that the caravan has been kept in a roadworthy condition you need proof of that which is documented on the service sheet.
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02/11/2018 at 9:43pm
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There is nothing in my insurance terms and conditions to say that I need to provide documented proof,it just says it must be roadworthy.
Insurance companies don't require proof that a car has been regularly serviced,the same would apply to a caravan,it just has to be roadworthy.
The onus would be on the insurance provider to prove that the van wasn't roadworthy to void a policy.
The insurance Co would appoint an assessor who would determine the state of the vehicle.
A service schedule doesn't prove that a vehicle is roadworthy any more than a current MOT certificate does.
saxo1
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