Common causes of caravan damage and how to avoid it

06 May 2024 - By Brendan Batty

The problem with having a vehicle that you only use on holidays is that, usually, the only time you notice it's broken, failing, or damaged is when you are on holiday. That's particularly the case with caravans and camper trailers.

Plenty of things can damage them, but fortunately, with some common sense, practise, care, and preventative maintenance, you can avoid the most common issues most of the time.

Adjusting your tyre pressures

Australia, and Western Australia in particular, is renowned for its remote dirt roads, and they vary in condition from good bitumen to tracks that are barely a road at all. On just about every rough road, however, you can avoid a great deal of damage to your caravan by simply lowering the tyre pressures.

One of the most common causes of unnecessary damage to vans is because caravanners don't drop tyre pressures on gravel or dirt roads.

Generally speaking, you should run 45-50 psi on the road, around 30 psi on gravel and down to 20-25 psi on sand. On really rough or soft roads, dropping below 20 psi won't be a problem but will make towing easier.

Doing so will decrease the likelihood of a puncture and, at the same time, improve how the flexible sidewalls of your tyres absorb the shocks of the road. Don't worry too much about fuel economy being affected - for every 10 per cent you drop the pressure, you only affect fuel economy by about 2-3 per cent.

On the flip side, back on the bitumen where the roads are mostly good, you should pump your tyres back up to the recommended pressure, which can increase the life you get from them by as much as 20 per cent, according to some studies. All tyres state their load rating at maximum tyre pressures on the sidewall. You can work out the optimal pressure for your vehicle by working out the actual load on the tyres and adjusting the pressure relative to the maximum load.

Going too fast

Going too fast is another common cause of avoidable caravan damage, particularly off-road or on gravel. Many caravan industry professionals see vans damaged or worn out prematurely because they're towed too fast for the conditions. It's also worth noting that single-vehicle crashes are the number one cause of caravan insurance claims.

Off-road, where corrugations, potholes and rough patches are very common, caravans are being stressed beyond what they're designed to handle when people treat these roads like highways.

RELATED: Preventing caravan sway »

Awnings and wind 

Awnings are quite large and light and catch the wind very effectively. Often, they're only indifferently secured to the ground and so are very vulnerable to sudden wind gusts, particularly the type that roars through on a summer afternoon in WA.

The often-cited best practice is to pack away your awning when you're not using it, but the reality of modern caravan travel is that our awnings are extended living areas and taking them down each afternoon in summer is hardly enjoyable (or practical if rain is on its way).

If you don't or can't pack it away, use high-quality pegs, like the sort you screw in, and strong guy ropes or straps. Adding walls and anti-flap kits can add security, as can positioning your awning away from the prevailing strong winds. But if it really is blowing a gale, the best bet is to pack away the awning early.

It's not just wind that can damage awnings, though - mould and mildew can infect most caravan fabrics, shortening their lives (and making them unsightly) very quickly if they're packed up wet. If you store any caravan or camper fabric wet, ensure you unpack and dry it as soon as possible.

Water damage, storms, and hail

Water and caravans do not mix well, particularly for older caravans or those still made with timber frames and cladded walls; water damage can be an invisible killer.

Talk to just about any caravan repairer, and they'll have horror stories about water leaking through walls and rotting frames. It's expensive and painful to fix, so it's something to watch.

Most leaks happen around front boots and storage areas, through windows, and around the seals of the roof and wall joints. Carefully checking these areas after heavy rainfall and finding any leaks early can save a lot of hassle.

But storms can also cause other issues. Hail can significantly damage caravan roofs, walls, and solar panels, which, left unattended, can also lead to leaks in addition to the panel damage. Even a simple caravan cover can reduce the risk of damage.

Battery maintenance

As the energy needs of modern campers have grown, so too has the complexity of caravan and camper trailer battery systems. It's not uncommon for five-figure battery and solar systems to be fitted to modern trailers. Fortunately, most modern battery management systems do a very good job of maintaining them, and as most vans have solar panels on the roof, keeping a charge in the batteries isn't hard.

Even so, letting batteries of any kind go flat over extended periods can affect their performance and ability to hold charge, so making sure they're properly charged during storage can save a lot of grief at camp.

Overloading your trailer

All tow vehicles and trailers have maximum weight limits. Exceeding these can and will put undue stress on them. Overloading the drawbar, in particular, can cause damage to your car's suspension and usually decreases braking effectiveness.

Some overloaded vehicles have even suffered chassis damage. So think twice before you start packing too much in.

RELATED: Calculating your car and caravan towing limits »

Incorrect electric brake usage

Setting electric brake controllers too high will wear the brakes faster than normal and overheat the hubs. This leads to premature bearing failure, which, as a worst-case scenario, can lead to losing a wheel while towing, or a best-case scenario, you replace your brakes and bearings too frequently.

It’s a self-perpetuating cycle, where brake performance deteriorates because pads fall out of alignment, so controllers are dialled higher and higher, causing more and more damage.

If your caravan feels like it's pulling on your car as you brake, you probably have the brakes set too high. If you feel like your caravan is pushing your car as you slow, your brakes are probably set too low. Rarely are electric brakes a set-and-forget system, so adjust them as needed and as conditions and loads change.

Ignoring daily checks

Simple daily checks can prevent a lot of common mechanical issues with trailers. Before each towing day, check your wheel nuts and have a good look at the tyres for uneven wear or damage and that they're the correct pressure and haven't been fouling on any part of the trailer.

It’s a good idea to put a hand on the hubs and tyres when you get out of the car each time to make sure they aren't too hot. Also, have a look under the trailer in the morning for anything loose or obvious that may come adrift.