RV FEATURE
Being able to diagnose and fix electrical issues is vital for offroad travel.
To find the gaps, wait until nighttime, and while you lie under the van, get another person to go inside with a torch and shine it in every area where you see pipes and wiring going inside the van. Your partner may need to shine the torch inside the lower cupboards, particularly the ones in the kitchen and ensuite. If you can see the light from the torch piercing through any of these holes, you’ ll need to plug these gaps with silicone sealant.
PACK SOME TOOLS AND SPARES
There’ s a golden rule for offroad travel: nothing rattles tight. Everything rattles loose, and the constant vibrations from rough roads will loosen every single unsecured screw, bolt and nail inside your caravan. You need to be prepared and equipped to make ongoing repairs. For this reason, it’ s a good idea to carry a small toolkit and a selection of spare screws, bolts and nails so you can fix things as they break. Windows, doors and cupboards are the most likely to come loose. Electrical fittings such as fridges and microwaves are also particularly vulnerable.
You also need to be prepared to fix minor electrical issues, such as blown fuses and broken wires. Talk to your manufacturer about the types and sizes of fuses used in your caravan and keep some spares with you. Most wiring issues can be fixed with cheap electrical connectors and a crimping tool. Also, buy yourself a simple electrical multimeter. This will be invaluable for identifying problems with your batteries and wiring continuity.
You don’ t need to carry every tool in your shed but a good quality general tool kit and socket set will allow you to fix most minor mechanical issues.
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