05/08/2022 | by Lumberjack
Having a camper trailer or hybrid caravan is a considerate personal investment. As such is it in your best interests to protect that investment and retain its value by conducting regular maintenance. You are responsible for conducting regular & proper maintenance of your unit. We’ve got a couple of items to note some of the basic camper maintenance points to be aware of.
For further information & a more comprehensive list of maintenance requirements, please review the Care & Maintenance Manual available via our resources page. Click Here to visit our resources page.
Grease Points
There are multiple components on our campers & hybrids which all need regular greasing to allow them to move as they should. A brief summary of these is:
Stabiliser Legs – Remove the top cap & apply a pea sized amount of automotive grease into the gears. Wind the leg up & down a little bit to spread the grease around.
Trail Arms – Each trail arm has two grease nipples, pump grease into these points just until you can see grease coming from the bushes.
Jockey Wheel – (Model Dependent) Ark/ Hulk branded jockey wheels have one grease nipple located near the crank handle. You also need to apply a dot of grease to the gears directly by removing the top square cap.
For Al-ko branded jockey wheels please refer to the product instructions provided with the jockey wheel for instructions on disassembly for greasing.
Front Hitches – (Model Dependent) Some campers will have a Polyblock style hitch, some may have a Do35. With Polyblock hitches there are two grease points & Do35 models have one. Each point will need 1 good pump of automotive grease.
Seals & Latches
As you drive along for long periods of time, the road vibrations can slowly have an impact on the latches of your camper. They can begin to loosen slightly over time, which in turn can affect their ability to hold a tight seal. Check all your latches (toolbox doors, entry door, main lid latches, kitchen & battery door latches) are all locking firmly to create a good seal when shut.
Similarly, ensure they are not too tight either. If the latches are set too tight, they can split the rubber seal, leading to water ingress. You want approx 50% compression on the rubber seals.
It is recommended to apply a silicone lubricant or spray (e.g. WD-40) to the rubber seals once a month, this keeps the seals soft & helps prevent cracking. It is also imperative to clear them of dirt or debris after a long trip as being in storage with dirt can damage the rubber seals.
Charging your Batteries
When your Lumberjack Unit is being stored it is imperative to take care of the batteries. The ideal setup for storage is to have the batteries fully charged prior to storage & then top them up/ recharge as required every 2-3 months. Currently also conduct some regular physical maintenance also.
Physically check the batteries are clean & there is no dirt or debris around the terminals. Check the battery wing nuts are tightly secured & there is no physical damage to the exterior of the battery unit. The battery holding bracket must also be secure & tightly holding the battery in position so it cannot rock about in the holder.
Camper Cleanliness
Maintaining a clean camper exterior helps the keep the body paint in the best condition. With our fibreglass units this also helps to keep their white colour crisp. Leaving the units dirty for prolonged time can damage the paint & body finishings & lead to corrosions.
When cleaning your camper be careful not to use any high-powered washers as these can damage the signwriting. Using a traditional soap & sponge may be a little tedious but it gets the job done.
The same as with the camper body, you also need to keep the main cabin tent clean too. If the tent is dirty & remains uncleaned, it can damage the weave fibres which can affect its waterproof properties. For simple dirt, a clean down with a hose should do the trick. Be sure to allow the canvas to dry completely before closing your camper.
In summary, these have been some of the most basic elements for maintenance on your camper or hybrid. We want you to be able to enjoy camping trips for years and years to come.
We encourage you to do your very best to continue caring for & keeping your camper in the best condition possible.
Again, if you would like to review more comprehensive information, please visit our resources page.
