Keeping your caravan road ready doesn’t have to be complicated. These checklists outline what to check and when, from everyday basics to longer-term maintenance, so you can stay ahead of issues and focus on enjoying the journey.
Whether you’re travelling for a weekend, a month or settling into the long-term traveller lifestyle, keeping your caravan in good nick is all part of the adventure. From mechanical checks to the daily travel chores every caravanner faces, a little routine maintenance and housekeeping can make a big difference to your comfort, safety and peace of mind.
While annual or regular servicing of both your vehicle and van by a professional is a must, there’s plenty you can do yourself to prevent wear and tear, avoid unnecessary breakdowns and keep things ticking over when you’re on the road. So, we’ve pulled together a practical checklist of common jobs and DIY tasks — broken down by how often you should do them — to help keep you on the right track.
Please note, the frequence of many tasks will depend on your driving conditions, weather, how long you’ll be on the road, how many people are with you, how heavy your rig is … the list goes on. For example, you’ll need to watch your wheel nuts and cabinet doors like a hawk when on the Gibb River Road, but less so when cruising up the east coast, so take it with a grain of salt and adjust to your needs if needed.
Life on the road can be tough on your van, and regular maintenance is essential
On the road/frequently (daily to weekly)
| TASK | WHAT TO CHECK/DO |
| Maintain your tyres | Check your tyre pressures are suitable for your current driving conditions and make sure your wheel nuts and bearings are correctly adjusted (increase frequency when offroad). While you’re at it, keep an eye on the condition and tread depth of all your tyres to catch and/or avoid punctures. |
| Monitor your battery | Check that your battery is holding its charge and recharge as needed. A basic voltmeter or battery monitor helps track its condition when off-grid or, if relevant, check via the app. |
| Manage your waste | Frequency may depend on your setup and how many people are travelling with you, whether you have a cassette or composting toilet and so on. |
| Check water capacity | Keep an eye on your fresh and drinking water levels and refill if necessary. If applicable, empty your grey water tank. |
| Check gas levels | Keep tabs on your gas bottle levels. A simple gauge or hot water trick (pouring hot water down the side of the bottle and feeling for the cool line) can help. |
| Monitor fridge performance | Three-way fridges don’t love off-level sites or hot weather, so keep an eye on its temperature with a thermometer and ensure ventilation panels are clean and unobstructed. |
| Visual check of your towing setup | Before each drive, inspect your safety chains, towball/hitch, electrical connections, brake controller connection, lights, jockey wheel and handbrake to ensure all are working and in the correct position. |
If you want a refresher on hitching and unhitching your van, check out our online guide.
Check window, door and roof seals (Image John Hughes)
Between trips/semi-frequently (monthly)
| TASK | WHAT TO CHECK/DO |
| Test lights | Check brake lights, indicators, clearance lights and headlights — on both the tow vehicle and van. |
| Inspect undercarriage | Look for loose bolts, cracks, hanging pipes or signs of impact from rough tracks. |
| Clean water tanks | Rinse and sanitise your water tanks regularly, especially after long trips or if you’ve filled them from unknown sources. |
| Lubricate slide-outs | If applicable, clean and lubricate any slide-out mechanisms with silicone spray to prevent jams. |
| Lubricate locks and hinges | Use silicone or graphite spray to keep doors, toolboxes and hatch locks smooth and squeak-free. |
| Inspect window, door and roof seals | Cracked or worn seals can let in dust and moisture. While cleaning, inspect for cracks and replace as needed. |
| Check the awning | Unroll and inspect for damage or mould. Make sure it’s extending and contracting properly, that the fabric is clean and ensure it’s dry before packing it away. |
| Battery condition | Check for wear, corrosion or damage — particularly when stored externally. Ensure it is functioning correctly and replace if needed. Fully charge before each trip, keep terminals clean and ensure the ventilation isn’t obstructed. |
| Exterior and interior checks | Look for dings, cracks or rust. Inside, check for drawer runner wear, screws coming loose, cabinetry damage or leaks. Coastal or wet environments can fast-track rust, so fix or seal any superficial damage to the exterior promptly. |
| Clean solar panels | If safe to do so, gently clean solar panels with a soft cloth to remove dust or grime that could impact charging efficiency. |
| Test safety devices | Press the test buttons on smoke alarms, carbon monoxide and gas detectors. Replace batteries if needed. |
BioMagic products are great for cleaning water tanks
At home/occasional (6–12 monthly)
| TASK | WHAT TO CHECK/DO |
| Routine servicing | Book a professional inspection and service every 10,000km or annually — whichever comes first. If you’re heading off on an extended trip, you may fast-track this to ensure everything is in good nick before you hit the road. |
| Inspect hitch and coupling condition | Look for rust, cracks or loose components. Check pins and clips are intact and lubricate moving parts. Repair or replace if required. |
| Check the roof | Use a ladder (if safe to do so) to inspect for cracks, leaks, loose fittings or issues around the solar panels, air-conditioner and vents. |
| Check air vents | Make sure air vents are not blocked or obstructed. If there’s a musty smell or weak airflow from the air-conditioner, filters may need a clean or replacement. |
| Hot water anode rod | If your hot water system uses an anode rod, check it annually and replace when heavily corroded. This is a sacrificial rod that protects the tank from internal rust and corrosion. |
| Toilet cassette seal | Clean and lubricate the rubber seal around the flap with a silicone spray or toilet seal conditioner to prevent leaks and unpleasant surprises. |
| Drains and plumbing | Clean out sink and shower drains and inspect the plumbing system for leaks, foul smells and drainage issues. |
| Tyre rotation and/or replacement | Rotate tyres every 5000–10,000km or annually — whichever comes first. Don’t forget the spare. (This can be included in your service.) Check the age of your tyres and assess if they need to be replaced. |
| Electrical leads | Inspect leads from time to time to spot any exterior cover cuts or damage, as this can be hazardous. |
| Brakes and suspension | Have brakes, bearings, callipers and suspension components inspected by a professional (you can check for signs of wear or ride quality yourself between services). |
| Chassis check | Look for cracked welds, loose U-bolts or any fatigue from heavy loads or offroad work. |
| Touch up coatings and seals | Paint chips and cracks in sealant can quickly become rust or water ingress points. Keep a tube of RV sealant handy for touch-ups. |
Check how old your tyres are — these four numbers indicate the week and year of manufacture; tyres should be replaced approximately every four to five years
Inspect your coupling and hitch and ensure it is adjusted properly
Pre-trip/irregular (12 months or more)
| TASK | WHAT TO CHECK/DO |
| Appliance servicing | Have a qualified technician service your fridge, stove, air-conditioner and gas lines. It’s recommended to have this done every two years. |
| Safety gear | Test smoke alarms, gas detectors and fire extinguishers and check the age of your extinguisher. |
| Breakaway switch test | Ensure the switch (which activates the brakes if the van detaches while touring) is functioning correctly. |
| Jockey wheel and stabilisers | Clean, inspect and lubricate to prevent them from seizing up. |
| Backup mirrors and rear camera | Make sure your mirrors and cameras are all in good condition and working correctly. |
| Air-conditioner filter deep clean | If you’ve used it heavily, give the filters a proper clean or swap them out for fresh ones. |
| Dust reduction system (DRS) filter | Replace dirty filters in your DRS if you’ve been travelling on dirt/dusty roads. |
| Clean fans | The blades on fans collect dust and grime over time — remove the protective cover and give them a good clean. |
| First aid kit replenish | Check expiry dates and top up any used or missing supplies. |
| Toolkit restock | Replenish fuses, bulbs, huts, bolts, tape and other spare parts. Consider parts for both your vehicle and van. Replace any missing tools. |
Top 6 DIY tools to keep handy
- Tyre pressure gauge and compressor: For quick pressure checks and top-ups on the road.
- Multimeter: Handy for checking battery voltage, fuses and 12V systems.
- Silicone spray or WD-40: Lubricate locks, hatches, stabilisers and sliding parts.
- Aerosol electrical contact cleaner: Cleans and protects battery terminals, plugs and electrical connectors without leaving residue.
- Spanners and socket set: Tighten bolts, wheel nuts and hitch components — add an electric drill to the mix to save yourself some elbow grease.
- Headlamp or rechargeable work light: A hands-free light source makes inspections under the van or nighttime work easier than relying on your phone torch.
Bonus: Keep some fuses, electrical tape, cable ties and a small screwdriver set in your kit for quick fixes.
Monitor your battery performance
Final advice
From checking tyre pressures and battery status to cleaning water tanks and giving the awning a once-over, a bit of regular upkeep goes a long way in extending your caravan’s lifespan and ensuring your adventures stay smooth and safe.
If you need more ideas, check out our DIY columns for some great step-by-step maintenance tasks.
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