The Sunshine State has a lot to be thankful for, but beyond the sun and surf, our natural surroundings can also be pretty punishing for our vans. And owning one means keeping your eyes peeled for common caravan problems as they arise.

When the air con breaks on a sweltering summer day, or your 12V system starts going haywire, your van is trying to tell you something. To avoid repairs on the road or a complete breakdown, it’s best you listen to what your home on wheels is saying.

To help you stay on top of your caravan repairs, here are a few common issues that every good van owner should know about.

Water Leaks

Your caravan is meant to be a dry, comfy haven, but if you notice dripping water or wet spots, it’s probably due to a leak. In Queensland especially, the sunshine and sea air can lead to rust, which lets water in. Sometimes, it’s simply from good old-fashioned wear and tear. In others, hail damage could be the culprit.

Whatever the cause, a leaky van can be fixed, and it’s one of the most common caravan repairs we do. Usually, it’s as simple as patching the hole or doing a minor repair on the panel. Sometimes, you need to call in the big guns for a roof replacement. The good news? We can help with both. And when it’s done, your van will become your dry, comfy home once again.

Air Conditioner Not Working

Things are heating up in your caravan, and not in a good way. Even though summer is the worst possible time for your air conditioner to break, it’s likely when it happens most. Signs of a dodgy air con include not cooling the van, water dripping, or a system that won’t turn on. A broken air conditioner is a common caravan repair we see, and it’s usually a simple fix. Sometimes, the faulty AC is caused by a leaky pipe; in others, the unit needs servicing and cleaning. But if we can’t work our magic on it, you may need a replacement, and luckily, we can do that for you.

Problems With The Battery

A van without a working battery system isn’t much of a van at all. These nifty little things ensure all the other appliances and accessories are working, especially when you’re going off-grid. So, when you notice things like slow or no charging or a total failure to work, it’s time to call in the pros. As batteries can be technical things, we don’t recommend dealing with them yourself. It’s always safest to let a qualified technician complete the work, like the team at The Caravan Guys Arundel.

Electrical Dramas

One of the joys of owning a caravan is having all the mod cons when you travel. But when issues arise from loose electrical connections or a busted fuse, the party is over. Tell-tale signs of electrical problems in your van include lights not working, short-circuiting, blowing fuses, and more.

Van not so electrifying anymore? Don’t try to fix it yourself. The Caravan Guys can get your van humming again — safely —so book her in, and we’ll take a look.

Lack Of Prevention

When a wise person once said prevention was the greatest cure, they were probably talking about caravans. And the simplest way to avoid on-road troubles is to keep your caravan in check with regular servicing.

So, what’s required to prevent these common caravan problems? We recommend caravan servicing after 1,000 km for new vans, then an annual or 10,000km service after that. Buying a second-hand beast? Get us to check it out before you use it. This way, we can flag potential problems before you get on the road. And if you’re planning an epic adventure, it’s also worth getting your caravan inspected.

As lovers of the Van Life, it’s on us to make sure we commit to caravan safety, and regular servicing is a major part of that. You’ll reduce the chance of things like faulty batteries, blown tyres, and water damage, plus save yourself a lot of money and hassle in the long run.

You might also like to read about how to stop the dreaded caravan sway. Caravan sway is something that happens to even the most experienced van owners (yep, even us Queenslanders). And although it’s not always a sign of trouble, it is something every van owner should be vigilant about.

The Caravan Repair Pros

Caravan repair is a typical part of Van Life, whether caused by the weather or just good old wear and tear. Have a problem you can’t fix? The Caravan Guys can be there in a flash. Book a free onsite quote and one of our team members will contact you ASAP. Or reach out online using this handy enquiry form.

Common Caravan Problems You Need To Watch Out For