Get your touring caravan and pleasure craft ready for the summer months

Now that the warmer months are approaching, owners across the country will be getting their trusty caravans and pleasure craft out of storage ready for the season ahead – and as their broker, you’re perfectly placed to offer some helpful guidance on ensuring your clients’ pride and joy is road or sea worthy.

Now’s the time for your clients to get prepared before setting off on their first trip. This will help to avoid trouble on the road, including flat batteries or worn tyres. A thorough check now will help to avoid unexpected hiccups later on. 

In this article, we’ve pulled together some tips to make the process of getting caravans and boats summer-ready as smooth as possible, hopefully avoiding any bumps in the road (both physically and metaphorically speaking!). 

Brokers, please feel free to share these with your clients.

General vehicle maintenance 

Before you take your caravan out for a spin, make sure it’s up to spec first. You may consider taking it for a service or, if it’s within its service period, check that: 

• All the lights are working
• The tyres are at the correct pressure and tread depth
• Your water tank is topped up with fresh water 
• Check your gas safety by turning the hob on; a big, blue flame indicates a healthy system, whereas a yellow flame may indicate a potential issue. 

Test your battery

Many people remove the caravan battery during the winter months, but this doesn’t mean there won’t be issues once it’s reinserted. Use the in-built meter to check that your battery reads approximately 12.8V. If it doesn’t, try charging the battery with a battery charger rather than the one in the vehicle. If it’s still not looking right, it may be time to replace the battery.

Refresh your water system

Even though your caravan’s water system will have been drained prior to winter (to prevent cracking and freezing), you may wish to sterilise it before you start using it again. To do this, fill the water barrel with a sterilising fluid of your choice before running it through all the taps. Then, turn off the taps, let the treatment sit overnight, and flush it through thoroughly with clean water.

Do a damp check

When left unused over winter, caravans can develop damp and mould, especially in areas with poor ventilation. Check for musty smells or discoloured patches in key areas:

• Around windows and doors
• Inside cupboards and under seating
• Near roof lights and vents
• If you notice damp, act quickly, ventilation, dehumidifiers, and moisture traps can help.

Perform key safety checks Before setting off, make sure:

• Your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have working batteries.
• Fire extinguishers and first-aid kits are easily accessible.
• Your spare tyre is in good condition.

Checking these details in advance could make a huge difference in an emergency situation. 

Boat Owners: getting ready for the water

For boat owners, many of the same principles apply when preparing for your next adventure in the summer months. Here are a few key checks to consider: 

• Hull inspection: Look for cracks, blisters, or damage from winter storage.
• Battery check: Boat batteries should read around 12.8V when fully charged. If it’s not holding power, it may be time to replace.
• Water systems: Flush out tanks and check for any leaks before your first trip.
• Safety gear: Test life jackets, fire extinguishers, and emergency beacons to ensure they’re in working order.
• Radio: Try conducting a radio check by contacting another boat or the coastguard to make sure your lines are working properly (e.g. saying “This is yacht XYZ. Radio check. Over”). Expect to hear the equivalent of “Loud and clear” in response.
• Navigation lights and equipment: Check your running lights and anchor light, make sure there are no cloudy lenses or broken wires, and nothing is loose or corroded. 
• Rigging and Sails: Do a visual check for rust and wear to rigging, or general damage or wear and tears on sails.
• Electrics: Check that these are in full working order.
• Engine: Look for any leaks and check oil levels, and the coolant level if applicable. Also check fuel filters, impellers, and stern glands if applicable. 
• Gas: If you have a bubble tester fitted, use this to check for leaks in your boat’s gas system. 
  If you are in any doubt, have your vessel professionally serviced before making any trips.

Whether you’re hitting the open road or open water, a little preparation now means a worry-free summer ahead.

Sources:

https://www.rya.org.uk/blog/get-your-boat-ready-for-summer