Keeping Your Caravan Safe and Secure on the Road
Maintaining your caravan's wheel hubs and checking for dust ingress are essential tasks that can keep your caravan safe and secure on the road. In this article, we will discuss wheel hub maintenance and a dirt road checklist for base models.
Wheel Hub Maintenance: Checking your wheel hub temperatures at least twice a day when traveling is essential to ensure the safe operation of your caravan. They should be warm to your touch. If one side is constantly hotter than the other, have them checked immediately by a mechanic or service agent. When traveling on dirt roads, check hub temperatures every time you stop/every hour.
It is also important to check wheel nuts every morning before departure without fail, on both the tow vehicle and trailer. If brakes or hubs become excessively noisy, hot, or are grabbing, have them serviced by a motor mechanic or service agent.
Note: This document is only a guide. Zone RV recommends that all service work should be carried out by a qualified mechanic.
Dirt Road Checklist
Checking your caravan after a short time on the dirt can help you identify any issues before they become more significant problems. Generally, 30-minute intervals are good to check your van to see if anything has worked loose. This is a good practice until you're confident all of the fastenings have bedded in and are holding. During this check, also ensure there are no areas showing signs of dust ingress.
Dust Ingress
Although your van has been fully sealed during production, there is a small chance the glues/sealants may have moved, and now allow some dust ingress. It's always good practice to travel with a tube of silicon sealant for the unlikely need to re-seal.
External Hatches
It is also good practice to periodically check that your external hatches are sealing correctly. It may be necessary to adjust the locking lever from time to time.
Beach Use
If you're driving on the beach or camping near salt air, it's essential to wash your van thoroughly and apply a liberal coating of Innox or WD40 to all steel, stainless steel, and aluminum surfaces. Allow it to soak in for 24 hours and wipe off residue or wash off with car wash.
Maintaining your caravan's wheel hubs and checking for dust ingress are essential tasks that can help you identify issues before they become significant problems. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can ensure safe wheel hub maintenance and proper dirt road checklist for your base model caravan. Remember, if you have any concerns about the maintenance or servicing of your caravan, it is always best to seek the advice of a qualified professional.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on the knowledge available up to 2021 and is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, and any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.