Caravan Servicing | Part 1

In this episode I show what you are likely to expect when taking your caravan for a Service. a huge thank you to Swindon Caravans who allowed me some rare access to the workshops.
swindoncaravansgroup.com

[@martinspalding374]

great vids keep up the good work im a new caravaner only had mine a few weeks so your content is just what i need

[@Lee-zg3gx]

As someone who is just about to purchase their first caravan, this is a great video showing in depth what a service consists of. Great to see things are double checked and the sheet signed by both parties.

[@TheTrudgians]

Glad it was helpful!

[@novaworld1297]

Top video so interesting on what goes on when I drop mine off which is very soon for this years service ty so much for the video and the service team for allowing it to be filmed

[@Lifeat39000ft]

Yet another excellent video Dan.

[@TheTrudgians]

Thank you Damien, hope you guys are all okay, Speak soon Dan

[@jasetheace71]

Wow...lovin your channel, just starting out with this caravanning lark, gotta say you are the most imformative person i've seen on youtube...keep up the good work :-)

[@benevans3733]

Hi dan another brilliant video as always and very interesting

[@cdmtravels5723]

hi dan what a great video, great to see some of the work done during a service, thanks

[@TheTrudgians]

Thank you Colin, amazingly this was just a "basic" service. Thanks Dan

[@kapongawhanauvids9664]

Excellent video. We have been considering purchasing second hand and revamping a caravan. But after watching this, it's really made me rethink the idea as I didn't appreciate how much work is actually involved. Thanks for sharing.

[@familyman831]

New caravans still need servicing every year

[@familyman831]

And I just watched the whole video that's not allot of work at all

[@richardmarsh292]

Good to see what a service actually entails, nice one Dan

[@TheTrudgians]

Thank you Richard Take care Dan

[@hettysmotorhomeadventures4860]

Hi Dan, very topical as my van had its first service today as it's coming up for a year old. My service was done at the storage yard and was a full service which took about 4 hours to complete and was more comprehensive than the basic service. For me one of the real benefits of being present at the service is too be able to gain advice and insight from the engineer as he is doing his work and to be able to ask questions about the workings of the van in order to look after and operate the systems better in the future. With regard to my damp test the technical verdict was " dry as a bone". Good video Dan really enjoyed it

[@TheTrudgians]

Thats great Martin, I was amazed how in depth it was, and yes i agree hanging around is a good thing to do. Glad your 'van came back dry as a bone. Take care Dan

[@StephSancia]

this was extremely informative, thank you

[@robforrest12739]

Excellent overview - good to see what is covered :-)

[@TheTrudgians]

Thank you Rob, can you believe this is a "basic" service ? Take care Dan

[@TranceElbow]

Thanks Dan. Another informative and entertaining video. Most of it is common sense and the sort of things I check regularly myself. However, I can't do the gas pressure tests myself.

[@TheTrudgians]

Great stuff Chris, glad you can do most of this yourself - Maybe just a gas check, not a full service is all youre after. Take care Dan

[@j-bolo6637]

Its good to see behind the scenes! Always thought it was a no go to spray degreasers on brake shoes, seeing a professional do it, it must be a myth

[@lensmanonline]

Very Interesting stuff Dan, Normal we had old caravan service on site when we were away on holiday by a mobile service guy, and like you i was very suprised how long and in it depth it was. Cheers Jon

[@TheTrudgians]

spot on Jon, this really took me by surprise, and this was a "basic" service. Hope you are well. Dan

[@DavidSmith-fz5nl]

Excellent. As always.

[@garydavis1528]

Good to see. 👍 Thought I’d write one thing from experience. About 4 years ago at Cirencester C&MC had to get mobile agent out as entrance door lock (same as your c’van here) stopped working and it wouldn’t lock, other way round would have been worse! Trusted c’van would be ok and stayed out and about and had it replaced on site 2 days later. Mobile mechanic stated NEVER ever to spray WD40 into caravan door locks, locks as so many now made with plastic cogs (not metal) and parts that the WD40 causes a bad severe reaction that seriously harms the locks accelerating their failures. Never done it since, only did it once before in its life before that failure.

[@stephen5473]

I think graphite is the correct lubricant for locks.

[@train4905]

I really enjoyed that ,thanku

[@northlancsscotsman7475]

Good that the caravan dealer let you film the whole service, great to see what goes on while your at home waiting for that dreaded phone call to say they've found some damp!

[@TheTrudgians]

Ha, yes that dreaded phone call. Its a nerve racking time ! The service was far more thorough than I ever thought. And this was a "basic" service Take care Dan

[@davidallen7540]

Great channel

[@nabarnes]

Thank you for a good insight into what goes on at a service. It's made my mind up for sure that I won't be taking my van back to a main dealer for service any more :-(

[@anetaspence5191]

Very good video I know what happens when mine gets done xx

[@thegrinch8161]

Very thorough and I’d go as far as saying that this company is as good spinneys in Knutsford

[@CaravanningwiththeCoxs]

I think the crack in the stabiliser handle is from when you lift it when checking if it’s on correctly

[@servantoftheservant5022]

Very interesting thanks

[@bencurry5295]

Hi Dan 👍,Im new to your channel friend but after watching this il be sticking around,A really well explained video,and unfortunately most people re-use those hub nuts,Its never worth it 🤔.

[@foo4572]

Interesting advice and video

[@krissander1]

collecting my caravan tomorrow, I will have to ask them if they carried out each of these checks.

[@tinkertimeuk6928]

Nice one Dan. 😁

[@TheTrudgians]

Thank you ! Take care Dan

[@Cherokyv]

Good Service . Now most kilómetros and New experiences to tell

[@TheTrudgians]

Thank you ! Hope you are well, Take care Dan

[@nicktombs1876]

Thought you said they were going to check the mains supply in as well, didn't see that

[@SimonIngram]

Very good and comprehensive, professional check. However, I purport to being a little dubious about caravan servicing. I'm fully aware of its condition and that everything works inside, and do a lights check before departing any journey, and carry out a general rolling maintenance myself. The only things I require from a service is a grease up, brake adjust and clean really. Hence I use a mobile service who carries this out for about £80.

[@TheTrudgians]

Morning Simon, Thats great - sounds like you have the perfect set up there. Thanks for popping by Dan

[@chrisgath2619]

I didn't see them service motor mover...how do we do that...seen your other video on troubleshooting...very useful

[@philhenderson7635]

Hi Dan Did you have any damp concerns as you didn't mention this in the video?

[@bobdidymus5769]

Did not see any check of wear of friction pads operated by the cracked Alko handle which are an important feature of this anti snaking and pitching device, and evidenced by the LED light also not mentioned, beneath the handbrake position, or coupling up of the hitch to check the reversing override function and brake piston adjustment. Nor were there any gas ignition flame checks or provision of a gas safety certificate which would be required by the owner of a caravan with an Alde type gas operated, water heating system, or multiple power system fridge. Therefore assume this to be a very basic service indeed, circa £150 and a full service including gas safety check would cost closer to the £230 mentioned by earlier comments provided by customers who thought they had been seen off, but had probably just had everything checked. The wheel bearings were probably sealed rather than tapered and would not have required greasing to put to rest the worries of A Marmot.

[@gordonjbnhotmailcom]

haven't had my caravan a year yet so hasn't been serviced, but this has definately encouraged me to get it done come the time. any thoughts on mobile servicing as they won't have use of ramps etc to raise them up.

[@TheTrudgians]

Excellent stuff Gordon, Mobile engineers have a variety of clever stuff they use to lift a caravan, from air sacks to ramps and mobile hoists. So if you're thinking of using a mobile chap ask how they will get underneath etc. There are some great mobile engineers out there, they won't be shy in telling you how they do the jobs. Take care Dan

[@craigyates9506]

Is this a full service because if it is only bare minimal was done here there is a lot more than that is usually done, like wiring checks, also mains lead check including mains plugs on hook up lead also things like hinges and handles were not tighten, operation of the water system, checking for leaks on taps, fridge checks (just to name a couple) !

[@derekfixter9084]

A great insight to caravan servicing, thanks for sharing. Did they carry out any checks on the water system during the service? I.e. Making sure that the water pump was working and that there were no leaks.

[@TheTrudgians]

Morning Derek, They didn't check the function of the water pump, as this was a basic service, and this simply covers off Safety items etc. The pipes were checked for leaks and that all fresh water & waste pipes were connected correctly with no weeping etc. Hope that helps Dan

[@garywallington1097]

Hi, I'm new to the world of caravans having previously had motorhomes, so finding your videos very entertaining, interesting and informative. However I notice that the service includes greasing the wheel carrier tubes. Having just fitted a wheel carrier to our Swift, the maintenance section of the AL-KO handbook for the carrier states that the tubes should be cleaned, but not be greased ? Possibly worth mentioning to your dealer ? Keep up the good work. Gary

[@danielmorris6523]

I know it's an old comment but I agree. I always thought it was a big no no to grease anything which is exposed to dust and dirt on the road as the grease will just cause it to stick and make a mess.

[@nigelhowell2754]

Great video and great to see how they go about there job but the question I would like to ask is how much was the service as I would like a comparison as I paid £300 for a full service on a van that is 12 month old

[@mattycaunt6242]

300 wow that is very expensive,,, were are you from ?? phone john at missions impossible great bloke , one of the best caravan service companies around

[@lokumponcikmiyu7606]

Hi To which the coupling located at the front of the caravan and I am writing to thank turkey stayed in the piston attached to a video Do I wish conveniences

[@Wildlandfirefighting]

Why did they not service the coupling?

[@miz_pi3876]

How much does a service cost?

[@melb5996]

I find it difficult to understand why the average caravan service is around £210/30 yet my Jaguar xf cost me £140 including replacement of the synthetic oil?

[@HitchUpAndTow]

Very interesting, nice to see what is done on a service. One thing i do not under stand. is the price difference between service shops. I pay around £230 for mine, but have people tell me they only pay half that. What is the average price?

[@TheTrudgians]

HI Mark, well the cost is really varied, I've heard its as low as £150, and as high as £300 - i think it depends what is covered, where it is and the type / style of van being serviced. Thanks for watching ! Dan

[@HitchUpAndTow]

I think its totally arbitrary

[@pococteam]

3:19

[@intelmacs]

Hi Dan, hope you don't find this cheeky but how much was the service? I've ordered a sprite dealer special from the Swindon group :)

[@TheTrudgians]

+Matthew Brown hi Matthew, no not at all, this service cost me £169 plus the parts that were used. I also had a few items that needed repairing & fixing so the total bill was just over £210 inc of VAT etc. Hope that helps. Take care Dan

[@raykennedy9649]

I have a 2015 JB Milano caravan and need to do some welding on the tow hitch chassis. I'm told I don't need to disconnect the batteries. Is this correct

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Ray, a good question. In theory there should be no reason to disconnect the battery, however for the time it would take to isolate the battery - i would disconnect the power. After all, i always remove power from the car if im welding etc. Dan

[@paraipan385.]

Hi sir. Would you be able to write us how much it cost you for this service check please? Thank you very much.

[@Rembrake]

Why didn't he grease any of the moving parts in the brake drum?

[@johnscanlon5697]

how much was the service ?

[@matterhorn1975]

That's what might take place when the customer is stood there with a camera 🤔🤔

[@turbojones8562]

Wish my local caravan dealer was that good. £250 gets you very little. Can't name them as I don't want to get sued. Traded in caravan after a year to be told riddled with damp. Must have been there when we bought it. Not happy. Now bought a motor home from them. I must be mad

[@TheTrudgians]

Morning John, Well with a motorhome starts a whole new set of adventures and challenges. I hope you enjoy it, please report back and let us know how you are getting on. Take care Dan

[@thomaspridmore106]

How much ?

[@c4ndyman62]

and a small mortgage to boot 😂

[@DariusUK]

The engineer slides his damp tester!!!! That’s ridiculous 😂😂😂

[@grimreaperbadboy]

any ideas on how to clean water pipes and how often

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi, yes have a look at our Spring Time checks video. in that i show how to clean pipes using Puri Clean. I clean the pipes at the beginning of each season, or if the water is starting to taste a bit funny, i clean the pipes & Aqua Roll again. Here is the video : kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6TRiH6wdsmtbLM Thanks

[@demosp.1464]

Wow

[@-marcel]

How much was your bill ?

[@kevlec1947]

Ok.

[@amarmot3635]

What about the wheel bearings? They need to be cleaned and repacked yearly.

[@chrispritchard4676]

Hi, This is incorrect. This caravan has sealed for life bearings, as do the majority of modern caravans. Hence the specific torque wrench used with a drop of Schrauben orange. It was the much older B ^ B chassis s which had taper roller bearings, which needed cleaning, and repacking annually. They were tightened to hand pressure and a quarter turn back and a split pin fitting. However these were the 50s 60s and 70 caravans. I am a sad oldie who spent 42years servicing caravans. The boys at Swindon do a really good job and should be commended.. The only minor comment I would make is the use of WD40 on door locks. It tends to attack the plastic surrounds and the locks will seize. Pure silicon is much better. Keep up the good work.

[@briangilbert6241]

how many of these checks are actually checked?? It was obvious that they would check everything as you were filming them.

[@joehamilton3709]

My thoughts also

[@keepitreal3453]

How much is a caravan service on 4 berth m8

[@davidmbell]

Had mine done yesterday at home, and felt sick with nerves until it was complete, as you say in particular the damp check. RE the tyre psi, shouldn't that be done with the weight of the 'van on them? Or doesn't it make a difference?

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi David, it very little difference, but remember when you have new tyres on the car, they are inflated off the car as well. Hope that helps Dan

[@musicmancjp]

You did not say what the bill was plus how long in real time it took. Informative video nonetheless.

[@323K1ELS]

How come all you poms have the same awkward van? They have a seriously bade departure angle.. Thanks for the clip though, well done.

[@michealmichael1131]

What about checking heater and fridge 🤷‍♂️

[@danielclayton-davies8063]

If this is how it's done there every time that's a bloody good garage How it should be done every time

[@vince_martyn]

I would gladly pay Swindon Caravans to service my caravan, but the story goes... When I decided which caravan I wanted to buy Swindon did not have one so I had to buy elsewhere. Now because they didn't have the right caravan, they won't service the one I have. I will probably end up using a mobile guy. Can you put it to them in Part 2 that this doesn't make for a happy customer?

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Vince, I did record the interview some time ago (on the hottest day of the year) but I hope the point you raise was answered. Thanks for popping by Dan

[@paulsmith9766]

Shame the brake adjusters and over run mech werent cleaned and lubed up.

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Paul, don't confuse what you see and what was done. Alot more was done to the caravan than i recorded - this video gives an overall view of what you will expect when having a caravan serviced.

[@Wikirides20]

I'm pretty sure my last service did not consist of half of what they did

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Adam, it is worth asking what they do offer during the service and asking for proof. Such as the single use nuts and any condition reports from the battery etc. Take care Dan

[@daveoakley2589]

Great channel and packed with info. I agree on getting a written spec on the service. I'm new to the caravan world (always had camper vans before I turned to the dark side) and was a bit peeved when I was quoted a price for the service only to find I'd been charged a fiver each for the single use nuts, which as you say are changed every time anyway. Why quote someone a price if you know you intend charging them at least £10 more. Won't be using them any more.

[@davidmbell]

Dai Guinness that's pretty standard, a price for the service plus any parts, and the nuts are in addition to the service price.

[@deanmacartney7111]

You don't say how much

[@cartoonsbystanthompson7519]

I hte being called " GUYS "

[@dw6549]

would love to see more of your older type videos, lately it seems like its getting be more like paid promotions.

[@TheTrudgians]

Morning Daniel, Sorry you're not enjoying our current content - the last paid promo was the NextBase dash cam, since then I've covered a wide range of topics and some holiday vlogs. What sort of thing would you like to see ? All comments and criticisms are taken on board, and genuinely appreciate any feedback you can give. Take care Dan

[@markweatherall7437]

Servicing a caravan yearly is money for old rope especially at the stealership, complete waste of money when you can diy.

[@kirkwattis8944]

How can you justify the price!!! Must only take 1hr...BLOODY RIP OFF ...ID SAY £50~£60 IS AMPLE... money 💰for old rope!! Doddle of a job...

[@TheTrudgians]

1 hour you say? I'd challenge any dealership or mobile engineer who could complete a thorough safe service in under 3 hours.

[@irenepotter2709]

How much does a service cost?

[@TheTrudgians]

It really depends where you go and what level of service you go for. But expect to pay anywhere between £150 and £250 Hope that helps Dan