Motorhome servicing

ALTHOUGH most of the habitation equipment on a new motorhome can be checked on a regular basis by motorcaravanners, the main point of a service is to fulfil warranty requirements.

However, it is very important to make sure that all the components are working properly and that safety has not been impaired.

An annual check is likely to last about three hours, not including the correction of any faults that may have been found.

So, how does a typical service work?

Depending on where take your vehicle will depend on how it is serviced and in which order, but it could well take the following form.

One of the first steps a technician will do is to cover the driver’s seat in a plastic sheet and cover the floor in sticky cellophane to protect the carpet and keep it clean during the service.

Next, all the locks, step hinges and corner steady joints are oiled. This has the further purpose of ensuring that all the doors, including locker doors, are unlocked so the technician does not have to carry the vehicle’s keys around.

A  manometer detects gas leaks

A gas leak check follows. This uses a piece of equipment called a manometer. All the gas appliances are turned on, the fridge vents are removed and the gas locker is checked visually.

The manometer checks for leaks and also checks that the regulator is working at the correct pressure.

This needs five minutes to stabilise after the gas is turned off again and then another two minutes to do the actual test.

While the manometer is sorting itself out, air jets are fired into the filter, as per Truma’s instructions, to clear any accumulated dust. The gas is turned on again and the regulator is re-checked.

The gas bottle connections will no doubt be checked with a leak detection spray. This is motorcaravanners are advised to do on a regular basis.

The gas system should run at 30mbar, plus or minus 5mbar. Switch the gas appliances off and the pressure inside the system should increase by about 15mbar above normal pressure. The system should then lock up and shut off completely.

The general feeling is that gas systems are actually pretty reliable, although it has been known for insects or food to get in and cause problems. Flame failure devices on the cooker and space heater are also checked.

The water and space heating are likely to be next up. It is turned on to hear the flame light up and make sure that the heater is churning out warmth.

The heater is double-checked because dust can build up inside the cover, especially in ‘vans that are used a lot or carry dogs. The dust can clog up the heater if neglected and cause a fire hazard.

It is recommended that a qualified technician should do this, however, as heaters are tricky pieces of equipment, especially with gas involved.

Gas bottle hoses should also be checked. The low pressure hoses should be changed every two years, while the more expensive high pressure hoses can be left till they are five years-old. Lights are switched on to make sure they work and simply opening the taps checks water pressure.

Delamination in the floor might be a simple job to fix but, if left, can be extensive and expensive.

It is an importance aspect of the motorcaravan as in most cases the floor supports the rest of the ‘van. To those experienced enough, delamination in the floor is simple to spot just by walking up and down the ‘van – the floor has a soft feeling. The average motorcaravanner may not know what to look for.

Road lights are just one of many grey areas in motorhome servicing. The front road lights might be considered part of the base vehicle service and the back road lights (fitted by the motorhome manufacturer) could be overlooked if you take your motorcaravan to a normal garage for servicing.

The gas flue is both visually inspected and smoke tested to check for leaks and blockages. This proves that the flue is clear. Checking that the fridge works properly involves all three power settings – gas, mains and battery.

Device to check sockets

Every ‘van is different and this is most obvious when the electrics need to be checked. To find the leisure battery often involves removing most of the cushions.

Plug-like devices are used to check that the socket is wired up correctly – detecting the polarity and the earth. The output from the charger and the battery is checked with a voltmeter, while a hydrometer test will indicate the condition of each cell in the battery.

All the cells should roughly be the same condition. If all the cells are low, it just means that the battery is not fully charged, but if all the cells except one are full, the battery is not charging evenly. This would result in having to replace the battery.

The technician will then move on to the water tank. It is filled to the top to check the gauge. To check the warning light for the waste water tank, water is then drained through into the waste tank.

It’s not uncommon for waste water tank lights not to work as motorcaravanners hardly ever fill them to capacity – sometimes the first cause for concern is when then carpet is floating around in the shower tray.

Damp meters highlight any problems

The most important part of the service is the damp test, which comes in two parts. A visual check on the outside is carried out and a damp meter is used to check the interior – especially around window and door joins.

The damp meter used is an expensive bit of kit, with an ultrasonic test and two pins for a more sensitive reading. If the pins have to be stuck into the furniture or rubber seals it is usually in corners where the tiny holes cannot be seen.

A normal reading should measure less than 25%. Anything over this could be a cause for concern. Regular damp tests are recommended as, unchecked, a small leak can quickly progress to a serious problem.

The washroom is one of the most difficult places to damp test, as it is  usually swathed in plastic panels and GRP mouldings, but it should be checked on a regular basis. Ladders are used to visually check the external roof seals for gaps and damp. As the service is progressing, the ventilation is checked.

The service complete, the cushions will be reassembled and then the technician proceeds to attend to any parts that don’t work.
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With so much kit in a modern motorhome, including potentially dangerous gas and electrical systems, it is vital that servicing is carried out regularly. Warranty requirements need to be adhered to and a properly equipped workshop needs to be found.

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