Why caravan servicing is ESSENTIAL - no matter how old your caravan!

[@colinrimmer789]

The Mk1 silicone spreader AKA The Finger can be beaten 😂😂 Coffee stirrers are great for pushing silicone into crevices 👍

[@colinrimmer789]

🤦‍♂️ I missed a T Can’t be beaten 😂

[@HelenandDave]

Nice one Colin, much better than getting smothered in the stuff 😂👍

[@danielrussell446]

Well done Dave a great repair done and well explained! Daniel

[@HelenandDave]

Thanks Daniel, appreciate that. Not a difficult job but I’m hardly Mr. Handy Man 😂😂 Cheers, Dave & Helen

[@terryfielding8836]

Well done Dave, hopefully a big problem solved. Our caravan is being serviced next month so fingers crossed. Didn't know about the date on the carbon monoxide unit, so thanks for that. Another great vlog. Cheers Terry

[@HelenandDave]

Hi Terry, yes, I hope that does the trick but must say the carbon monoxide date thingy was news to us too. All sorted though. Hope all goes well with your service. Cheers, Dave & Helen 👍

[@paulandsarahcaravanlife]

Well done, Dave. Like icing a cake 😅😂 like you said damp is the main problem we all have to worry about. Lucky you got it in time. Great video. Thanks for sharing 👍 Paul and Sarah

[@HelenandDave]

Hi Paul & Sarah, hopefully so, I guess the next service will be key, might try and get a reading again sooner though to be sure. ATB, Dave & Helen 👍

[@romeostavaru3789]

Brilliant job!!!😉

[@HelenandDave]

Thanks Romeo 👍

[@annehinch9381]

Very helpful as newbie caravaners 👍

[@HelenandDave]

Hi Anne, glad to hear that and thanks very much for watching. Hope you’re enjoying your caravan adventures. ATB, Dave & Helen 👍

[@rogertaylor2924]

Hi Dave..I agree with Steveblack728 on the fact that it's better to let water out rather than try to seal everything against ingress... Did it have a drain hole that was blocked by all that black gunk?

[@HelenandDave]

Thanks Roger, I’m gonna check that again (opposite side) just incase 👍 Cheers, Dave 👍

[@steveblack728]

Hi Dave, I don’t think you should have filled the bottom of that down rail as that’s where the water runs out ( it’s like a gutter) so you may have compounded the situation not remedies it, check with Darren to be sure

[@HelenandDave]

Cheers Steve, when Darren was showing me this he told me that the water should run down the front, not the back (there was some sealant missing there actually) also when I removed the guards/trim that area was full of sikaflex. I will double check though, thanks. ATB, Dave & Helen.

[@gourdarchibald6588]

Collecting our first Caravan in the morning, you were right about the dealer being able to help with the Gas, they are giving us a part used bottle as a freebe. They don't know how much is in it, but at least we won't have to pay a deposit on a new one when it needs replacing! It will be interesting to see what mpg a 300hp V6 will do at 60mph, I expect more than I usually get! 😁

[@HelenandDave]

You must be in excitement overdrive. Good luck and here’s to many happy adventures 🍺😊

[@planecrazyaviation7773]

Hang on to your service engineer Dave! They’re hard to find. He’s given you some good advice there, hopefully you’ve nipped a potential damp problem in the bud. Well done! Thanks for sharing👍

[@HelenandDave]

That's the plan Steve, had to go through a couple of guys before landing on Darren. Good guy!. Cheers, Dave & Helen.

[@stevelemay878]

Very good waterproofing work

[@HelenandDave]

Thanks Steve 👍

[@timothyinge5955]

One option would have been to retain one screw for the detector to ensure the unit would not fall off in transit. Enjoying your travels, with thanks.

[@HelenandDave]

Why didn’t I think of that Tim? 🙈 Great idea 👍

[@Hadders4Janet]

Love your garden can we have a tour?

[@HelenandDave]

Hi Janet, thank you, nobody’s ever asked for a garden tour before 😊. Just waiting for some decent weather before we can get everything back to normal. Stay tuned and watch this space. Best wishes, Helen & Dave 👍

[@pennphilip]

Have a look at the Heavy Duty Command strips Dave. Good for 7kg. 😀

[@HelenandDave]

Thanks Phil I’ll take a look, they sound ideal 👍

[@paulrangeley4143]

Loving the tongue sticking out when you're concentrating haha. I'm sure we all do it though. Keep the helpful videos coming for us newbies thanks 😊

[@HelenandDave]

Hi Paul, tongue out is obligatory when you're concentrating lol. Glad you find the video's useful and thanks for watching. ATB, Dave & Helen.

[@paulrangeley4143]

Yeah I'm most likely going to be doing plenty of sealing on my 23 year old van haha. We love it though and can't wait to hit the road. Trying to book it in for a thorough service first though. 😊

[@HelenandDave]

@@paulrangeley4143 hope all goes well Paul 👍

[@sempereadem54eadem64]

Agree 100%

[@HelenandDave]

Same 👍

[@paulmorgan464]

You do a better job than I do get more on my clothes as well as the whole area

[@HelenandDave]

Hi Paul, I know what you mean, you didn’t see the bits I edited out 😂😂👍👍. Hope you’re well 👍

[@mentalneil]

Great video D & H, very informative, we're enjoying this excellent weather in our van, TC and safe travels Neil

[@HelenandDave]

Glad you enjoyed it Neil and the weather is a real bonus isn't it. Thanks as always for watching. Cheers, Dave & Helen.

[@robswiseways5697]

Whole heartedly agree on the importance of having your caravan serviced annually Dave, at least advisories can be dealt with before they become failures. I Changed our CO alarm over two years ago to the style you have disposed of. I dated it myself March 2021. Cheers and all the best. Rob & Gail 😀

[@HelenandDave]

Hi Rob & Gail, thanks as always for watching. It felt wrong to ditch it tbh but you can't ignore the advice of the experts, otherwise what's the point in getting them in. Hope you're both well. Cheers, Dave & Helen.

[@mellarner8253]

We used Darren on a previous caravan that had been serviced by the supplying dealer for year 1 and 2 and as you say, very thorough and professional job done and will undoubtedly use him again once main warranty has gone for year 3 on our current van. No travelling to dealer (twice) needed and lower service cost, so makes sense from all angles.

[@HelenandDave]

Hi Mel, good to have someone like Darren on your doorstep. We’ve been delighted with his work. You need to stop buying new caravans all the time 😂😂

[@mellarner8253]

TBH, we have made the mistake of changing from what is the best layout for us, which is the same as you have, while the caravan was great in every way, it was the continuing quality issues and poor dealer that got to us after 3 years and we lost all faith in it so we changed just 2 weeks after Darren serviced it. The next 2 caravans were really good, but ultimately went back to the layout we knew suited us best. Both turned out to be expensive mistakes, although neither had ANY build or warranty issues. No going back now as we have added expensive additions and this one will therefore need to see us to the end of our caravanning life.

[@mikecurtis3300]

Dave, you’re not helping me! Each time I watch a blog I have another job to do on my caravan. This time I may be able to help you. Carbon Monoxide is I believe slightly heavier than air. As you are monitoring a boiler problem in the main and you bed is only 24inches from the floor, why put a carbon monoxide detector at ceiling height. Might be worth checking this out. Keep up the good work .

[@HelenandDave]

Hi Mike, that’s interesting and something I hadn’t considered. We have a couple of alarms at home too, one installed by our boiler engineer in the kitchen and one in our lounge installed by the company who installed our log burner but both are placed high close to the ceilings. I’ll check out further. Thanks very much for watching and the heads up 👍

[@markweatherall7437]

Another fab video dave, with regards to the sikaflex you used on the reseal job how did you know to use sikaflex 221 and not 522, the various sikaflex tube numbers confuse me..😅

[@HelenandDave]

Hi Mark, cheers mate 👍 Truth is I didn’t! I just searched for a suitable sealant for caravans and this one popped up. I read a few reviews and went for it. The proof of the pudding will be in the next damp reading, which I might get done sooner rather than later. Thanks for watching and ATB, Dave & Helen 👍

[@johncawte8724]

Hi mate crazy x volvo driver we at yarmouth race course for the week is wells by the sea worth a visit I think I remember you doing at least 1 video on it but seen all your videos and get mixed up where's where's lol thanks

[@HelenandDave]

Hiya, we love it at Wells and deffo worth a visit. Might catch you at the racecourse later in the week we may be dropping in for a couple of days 👍👍

[@johncawte8724]

@@HelenandDave excellent look forward to meeting you both and bella

[@webkinzkid17]

Great video! So pleased , not all caravaners are consumate DIY experts!! Could you provide a link to the sealant you used please? That would be very helpful. Regards Jill

[@HelenandDave]

Good morning Jill, many thanks for watching and leaving a comment. I'm certainly no DIY buff but willing to give things a go. lol. I have attached a link to the sealant, it's really good stuff. Thanks again, Dave & Helen. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07F3W5CBY?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzcarava0c-21&creativeASIN=B07F3W5CBY&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.3S0SRIFBKB4ZE&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d_asin

[@barbsdee3831]

Brilliant job 👍🏼 What’s the other side like?

[@HelenandDave]

Other side was all good thanks Barbs and we have another service in a couple of weeks so I'm hoping my handy work has done the trick!! Thanks as always, Helen & Dave

[@garyfoster4704]

Always remember to use stainless steel screws on the exterior. Is your floor GRP on the underside?

[@HelenandDave]

Hi Gary, the screws are indeed stainless steel and it's a yes on the GRP underside it's sandwich floor construction with GRP outer skin. Thanks for watching. Cheers, Dave

[@garyfoster4704]

@@HelenandDave Happy days 😉 👍 ...

[@gnarlyboot477]

Get yourself a Cramer Fugi kit, silicon finishing tools. Makes finishing silicon a doddle, some good instructional videos on KZbin mainly bathroom related but it’s the same techniques.

[@HelenandDave]

Great tip, thanks for that will check out 👍 ATB, Dave & Helen 👍

[@gavinstubbings4271]

Great videos complete newbie to caravaning brought an old caravan I won’t tell you the problems we have had and as for damp try 40 in one area 😭 but we will get it sorted

[@HelenandDave]

Hi Gavin, thanks for watching. Can only imagine your frustration, but these days, there are many solutions for getting damp sorted, just hope it's not too bad for you. ATB, Dave & Helen.

[@gavinstubbings4271]

@@HelenandDave thank you

[@johnjury7316]

Did you check the opposite side?

[@HelenandDave]

Hi John, checked all round and everything good 👍

[@Growis83]

Smoke detectors normally have a life of 10 years, but there's no harm in replacing them a bit sooner, and since you've done one, you might as well do the other.

[@HelenandDave]

Agreed Graham and they're no money so might as well do exactly that. Thanks for watching. Dave & Helen.

[@Bob-kb5pv]

Apart from aesthetics, I wouldn't worry about the crack. There is a gap behind it.

[@HelenandDave]

Thanks Bob, much appreciated 👍

[@davidandrewstarbuck2151]

Hands covered in the stuff ! Pen pushers 😂😂

[@HelenandDave]

Inevitable lol

[@tundearonsson8338]

Shouldn’t the carbon monoxide alarm be down by the floor? The gas is heavy and by the time it reaches the alarm the whole caravan is full of gas and I guess it’s too late to hear the alarm

[@HelenandDave]

Well that’s where the caravan manufacturers fitted it. We also had a log burner fitted at home and the installation guys fitted it up high. Our gas boiler engineer at home also fitted one in the kitchen just below the ceiling so there seems to be a trend. Cheers, Dave & Helen

[@Gary-o7k8b]

Hi Dave all good maintenance just a quick one don’t buy a 560 I had one for 5 months and it was not good to live with you spend half your time walking side ways drive me mad get a 580 or that lay out I got a coachman 575 extra gary

[@HelenandDave]

Hi Gary, interesting because that was very much the conclusion we reached, also we we’re not too keen on the end bed for the same reasons. Coachman vans are very nice, sounds like you’ve landed on a good one there 👍. Thanks, Dave & Helen

[@castlequay2327]

Bargain service price. My dealer charged me nore than double. i think i will go independent after my guarantees expire.

[@HelenandDave]

Just had a service last week and paid exactly the same again. No price rise in 4 years. Pretty good 👍