Ready, set, go

Arthur Findlay offers up a handy motorhome maintenance chekclist to ensuring your camper stays in tip top condition, all year round and that you are ready to head off on your next motorhoming adventure when the mood takes you...

• Arrange MOT, annual habitation and base vehicle service
• Schedule road tax and insurance for renewal
• Check tyres for condition (and age if not already known)

• Usual checks underbonnet and tyres (pressure and condition) remembering the spare if you have one. Take a general look at the underbody
• Confirm your choice of emergency equipment is present and correct. Don’t forget your mobile phone charger, spare keys and relevant documentation
• Flush/refill fresh water system. Flush grey water system and toilet flush tank. Consider suitable cleansing/sanitising for each. Flush/sterilise fresh water accessories
• Prime cassette toilet and flush tank, lube seals using suitable product. Check toilet chemical bottle levels
• Turn on gas and confirm appliances functional. Check gas bottle contents
• Consider hook-up to charge batteries
• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguisher and fire blanket.
• Clean and lube awning as necessary.
• Wash the ‘van!

• Ensure water installations are suitably frost-protected, or drain thoroughly
• Ensure toilet cassette and grey tank are clean
• Fit any supplied covers to fridge vents and boiler flue
• Ensure gas bottle valves are firmly shut if bottles not removed
• Check everything electrical in the ‘van is definitely off
• Consider occasional “exercise” runs and battery charging
• Keep vehicle fuel tank topped up and lockers/cupboards open
• Keep (non recoil) window blinds closed for storage to protect the interior from fading and to shield it from prying eyes.
• Remove batteries from smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and fit new ones before that first trip
• Wash and wax before the onset of winter
• Inspect regularly to ensure early detection of any developing issues