10 Steps To Get Your Campervan Ready For The Summer and Get The Right Campervan Insurance Deal
As the evenings start to stretch out and the warming sunshine tempts us to dig our shorts out from the back of the wardrobe, it’s time to start thinking about getting your campervan or motorhome ready for a summer packed with adventure. Follow our 10 steps to give your campervan or motorhome a thorough clean, undertake some essential maintenance and check that your campervan insurance meets your needs so you’re ready to set off whenever the mood takes you.
1) Check for leaks
Carefully check door and window seals and caulking for signs of perishing. Even the smallest crack will let water in. Left unchecked, these leaks could lead to damaging rust, mould and mildew taking hold.
2) Dealing with mould and mildew
However old your campervan or motorhome, and however well maintained it is, mould and mildew almost always cause some problems. These issues are caused by dampness and humidity; if you can keep your vehicle completely dry you can control the problem. Air your vehicle regularly when it’s not being used as well as when you cook or shower inside it. You could also consider investing in some moisture absorbing crystals to help dehumidify the air and take care to clean away areas of mould and mildew with mild bleach.
3) Clean and inspect water and waste systems
Flush through the water system and sterilise to remove any mould or bacteria in pipes and tanks. Also, check the dump hose as these have a limited lifespan.
4) Inspect the gas and electric
Check electrical and gas appliances are working properly – insects and spiders often take up residence when these appliances are not being used, causing problems when you try to use them next.
5) Fire safety
Make sure your fire extinguisher is not out of date, so you’re ready to tackle an emergency. Test batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
6) Check tyre pressures
If your campervan has been sitting around for a few months it’s time to do a mini service to help ensure everything is working properly and won’t let you down. As well as checking tyre pressure, take a look at the sidewalls to look for damage such as cracks or bulges where it’s been sitting too long.
7) Test the starter battery
If your campervan has been sitting without being started for several months, chances are the battery will be flat. If you have a leisure battery that hasn’t been hooked up to a trickle charger over winter, now is also the time to check for charge levels as well as look for corrosion and grease the terminals.
8) Oil and lights
Next, check the oil levels and pressure and test the lights to make sure all the bulbs are working properly. Making sure that things like wiper blades are working properly will also help your trip to run smoothly.
9) Get a gleam to make your neighbour green
Give your motorhome or campervan a thorough clean, and even a polish, to make sure it looks shiny enough to draw envious looks from other campers. As well as filling you with pride, keeping it clear of muck and grime will also help protect your motorhome or campervan so it will last longer.
10) Paperwork essentials
Don’t forget to check that your MOT and tax is valid and your campervan insurance is up to date. Whether you’re hitting the road in a state-of-the-art luxury motorhome or a beaten up old VW classic, our team of specialists at Park Insurance has 20 years of experience in finding the best deals for your individual needs.
We understand that there’s no such thing as one size fits all when it comes to campervan insurance. Whether you want comprehensive campervan insurance cover to include everything from awnings to camping equipment for the whole year or are just looking for third party cover for a couple of days, we can find you the right insurance. And because we can take into account things like low mileage options and secure storage, we will also help you to find it at the right price.
Don’t hold up your holidays. For more information call our expert team on 0117 955 6835 or contact us to get a free no-hassle, no-obligation quote now.
Happy camping!