With spring returning to the southern highlands, and school holidays fast approaching, the camping season is upon us. With that means we will soon be hauling the camper trailer down the coast for a long overdue break. I thought before we leap into the camper, it would be prudent to do a couple of simple checks before we head off... and I'm glad I did.
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| Time to haul the camper out of the shed... |
The camper has been sitting for a few months now, and one of my jobs this week is to drag it out and get it ready for our next adventure. After telling the family that this was one of the jobs for the day, The Little Fisherman was quick to inform me that he had seen a black snake sitting just next to the camper this very morning before breakfast when he was emptying the scrap bucket. Righto - must be a another job for Daddy then hey!
A service for our Subaru turned into a much longer evolution than desired (why they changed their fuel filter location to inside the fuel tank is beyond me... and then there was the split front drive shaft boot that has spread grease everywhere... argh!). Needless to say it was well into the afternoon that I finally got around to pulling the camper out, and Mrs Black was nowhere to be seen. Hopefully she hasn't moved in to the camper!
But today was a day of maintenance on the vehicles various, and I thought I would share the few simple things that we will be checking on the camper prior to heading off on our next camping trip.
1. Water Tank - drain and flush
Water tanks are best stored full of water - and as long as no light gets into the tank, it should be all good. Our tank gets filled with tank water - so we have to be particularly careful as no chlorine is added to our camper's water supply to kill any nasty bugs that may decide to live in there.
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| A drain and flush is a good idea... the garden loves it too! |
2. Gas Bottles - check they're full
Our camper has two 4.5 kilogram gas bottles. Unfortunately they are of a different size to the standard 'swap and go' bottles stocked at most service stations, meaning we have to get them filled at a filling station. This is getting harder and harder to do as most places shift to a 'swap and go' system. It pays to check their full before we head off.
3. Stove - clean the stove / sink and check all the burners still work
The stove and sink always benefit from a clean. Occasionally the gas jets on the cook-top need a clean out too, and a sewing needle usually does the trick nicely. Last year our gas regulator died just before we headed off, and we were saved by our local plumber who was able to fit a new one at the eleventh hour.
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| This is not a good time to find a loaf of bread from last trip sitting in the sink! |
4. Bedding / canvas - open up camper and air
Definitely worth opening up the camper and giving it an air out before heading off. Whilst we are careful to put everything away dry, there is no harm in checking nothing else has moved in before you head off - especially Mrs Black!.
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| It almost feels like we're camping again! |
5. Charge the Hot Water System
Over the past few months I have been getting a new toolbox made up to house the
Coleman Hot Water On Demand Instant Gas Hot Water System. We have found we weren't using the generator at all whilst we were camping (but using it a lot around the house), and the joy of hot showers was much more appealing. To that end we replaced the generator box with our new tool box. The hot water system needs a charge to run the pump - the heating is done with a lead to our spare gas bottle, all very convenient.
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| The Little Fisherman holds the bolts captive whilst I tighten them from below. |
6. Batteries
Our camper has two deep cycle batteries. These batteries work best when they are kept fully charged. We achieve this over winter by ensuring the solar panel remains outside and plugged into the camper. Often before we head off I run the fridge for a couple of days to get it (and the beer) cold, whilst plugging the camper's battery charger in. This means we leave with a cold fridge that isn't working hard, AND the batteries are fully topped up.
7. Fridge
Our camper has an 80 litre Waeco fridge fitted. A couple of years ago the fridge's fan failed, and the fridge was unable to disperse heat from the compressor, which lead to a melting of all important paddle-pops. A good clean, and running the fridge for a short time to check everything is still in working order before filling it with food is a good idea.
8. Tyres - check air pressure
With the camper sitting for a while, it is worth checking the tyre pressures. We don't have a fancy tyre pressure monitoring system, so I have to do this with a gauge. Also worth checking the spare!
9. Brakes - take for a drive and reduce binding
Our camper has off-road electric drum brakes. After a long period sitting, the brake linings develop a film of rust, causing the brakes to bind when you first use them. A short drive around the block gently working the camper brakes is all it takes to get them working normally again.
10. The Unplanned Stuff
And just when I thought we had it all planned - a quick walk around the camper revealed a very bent gas strut.
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| Ouch! |
Of course we don't know how it happened - but it sure looks like I caught the strut on something a little harder than it... perhaps when putting the camper in the shed. Needless to say the strut is beyond repair, however thankfully the good folk at Aussie Swag have a list of all their 'consumables' and where to get them. So I have found the part number, along with the distributor's telephone number (who will be getting a call at 9am on Monday morning), so hopefully we should have a new strut installed before the end of the week.
Big jobs we will do prior to heading around the country:
As our camper is now getting to be a little older, there are a few larger jobs that I want to get done on the camper to reduce the likelihood of a breakdown on the road. They way I figure it, a bit of preventative maintenance to my schedule is better than emergency repairs at someone else's. Of course Terry will be getting similar treatment too in about 12 months time.
1. Wheel bearings - replace
The wheel bearings are susceptible to failure in all vehicles, particularly if used in dusty or muddy conditions. Replacing them prior to us heading off will hopefully see us through the trip without a bearing failure, although I will be carrying the old ones as spares!
2. Brake linings - inspect and probably replace
Our brakes are checked each year for the annual roadworthy inspection, but before we head off it will be worth inspecting and replacing the brake shoes if they are worn in any way. Again, I don't want the brakes failing on us at all.
3. Shock-absorbers - inspect, test and probably replace
Our shock-absorbers do some amazing work on rough and corrugated roads. I learnt the difficulty of trying to get them replaced whilst away though my parents who sent me a message via satellite phone last year requesting me organise a new pair for them at Alice Springs. Sourcing the shock absorbers and freighting them to the Alice was easy. Finding someone who could fit them was much more difficult.
4. Tyres - probably replace but will see how we go
The tyres on our camper are original, meaning they are now at least seven years old. Whilst there is still plenty of tread, we will probably replace them before we head off with some rims and tyres that match the car, enabling us to rotate tyres between the car and camper.
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