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Care Tips and Advice

Home > Care tips and advice
24Feb
Bike rack

Bike rack issues solved

CategoriesMotorhome Upgrades

Cannot go on holiday without your bike?Have difficulty lifting and loading the family’s bikes? Update to a bike rack which best suits you and your Caravan/ Motorhome. At Bristol Caravans we are here to help you find the best solution whether it is a new bike rack or electrical bike lift. Important things to keep in mind are, how many bikes do you have, where will the bike rack go, can my caravan/ motorhome withstand the weight? Before you purchase a bike rack, we recommend a visit to our AWS approved workshop. Upon visit, we will make sure your vehicle […]

29Jan
Workshop at Bristol Caravans

Top 5 tips for maintaining your Caravan & Motorhome

CategoriesCampervan Maintenance Caravan Damp Repairs Caravan Maintenance Motorhome Maintenance

You have just bought a new Caravan / Motorhome and want to make the most of it. Do not worry, we are here to make sure you are maintaining and making the most, during the ownership of your pride and joy. Here are the Top 5 Tips for you to maintain your Caravan / Motorhome: 1. Make sure you book into a trusted workshop for your annual services! For you caravan owners it is important to book a service every year, ensuring all the water, gas, electrics, brakes, chassis, and A frame hitch assembly are checked thoroughly. Not only does […]

14Jan
Damp repairs

How to avoid DAMP in your Caravan or Motorhome!

CategoriesCaravan Damp Repairs Caravan Service Motorhome Damp Repairs Motorhome Service

Nobody wants to come back to their Caravan or Motorhome after the winter break to see a damp patch. Although it is hard to identify when water ingress is happening, we have some helpful tips to prevent damp in your vehicle. How does damp occur in my Caravan or Motorhome? The three stages of damp to be aware of: This is caused by damp air being trapped in a cupboard or room. The visual effects are mould on the walls or inside cupboards. This is the main cause of Damp! Potentially coming from sealant failure, for example sealant cracking around […]

24Feb
Wash & Wax at Bristol Caravans

Cleaning my Caravan & Motorhome

CategoriesCaravan Maintenance Motorhome Maintenance

How often should you clean your Caravan / Motorhome? We recommend giving your vehicle at least two deep washes a year. One at the start of your holiday season, and one at the end. Of course, whilst your Caravan / Motorhome are in storage it will gather dirt, algae, and moss; making it harder to clean. If you regularly give it a wash over, the easier and quicker your seasonal washes will be. Should I wash my Caravan / Motorhome with Hot Water? It is important to bear in mind you Caravan, or Motorhome is made of up many plastic […]

14Jan
MOT at Bristol Caravans

Does my motorhome need an MOT?

CategoriesCampervan Service Motorhome Service

Here at Bristol Caravans, we book your Motorhome or Camper van’s MOT with the additional charge for collection and delivery. Before completing your MOT, our technicians complete a visual pre-check including all exterior lights. What is an MOT? An MOT (Ministry of Transport) is a test to check the general health of your Motorhome. Although your Motorhome may seem in working order, it must meet the DVSA’s legal safety and environmental standards. The MOT must be carried out by a vehicle technician with an MOT qualification, and they must be in possession of specific testing equipment. What will be checked […]

15Apr

How to connect my motorhome to 230v hook up

CategoriesCaravan Maintenance Motorhome Maintenance

How to plug in to mains electric on site The last thing you want is to arrive on site and your electrics do not work. As soon as you get on site, follow these steps and you will be sat back relaxing in no time! How to hook-up: My electrics are not working on site – What do I do? First you want to plug in your 230V hook up cable into the mains electric supply. Next, connect your Caravan or Motorhome. Using the mains socket tester, insert the tester into a socket and turn on. The tester will indicate […]

29Jan
Winterisation drain down

Why Is Water Leaking Under My Motorhome?

CategoriesCaravan Repairs Motorhome Repairs

Before we jump into water leaks… a little about us… Bristol caravans is designed as a one-stop-shop for your caravan, motorhome & campervan maintenance. We have experienced & qualified staff that can help you with Engine Chassis Service, Habitation Service, Damp Repairs and popular upgrades like Self-Levelling Systems, Rear Air Suspension, Lithium Installation ( leisure battery upgrade ) and much more, just ask. Many customers travel to see us and then stay on our campsite whilst having repairs and upgrades. OK, back to water leaks… Imagine you have arrived on site, switched on your water pump and now water is […]

13Nov

How to set up the WHALE water system and pump

CategoriesCaravan Maintenance Motorhome Maintenance

Setting up a WHALE Water Pump First things first… Make sure your WHALE pump is securely attached and locked into position. Is your 12v power supply working? Assuming your caravan / motorhome has a charged battery, and all the appropriate fuses are intact, the power to run a water pump’s motor is usually activated at the 12V control panel. WHALE Control Panel: Now your pump is in the correct position, go inside your caravan / motorhome and check the control panel. It should look something like this: All switches should be in the on position. If your control panel presents a fault […]

29Jan

Caravan AL-KO ATC light working?

CategoriesCaravan Repairs

What does the ATC light do on my Caravan? Bristol caravans is designed as a one-stop-shop for your caravan, motorhome & campervan maintenance. We have experienced & qualified staff that can help you with Engine Chassis Service, Habitation Service, Damp Repairs and popular upgrades like Self-Levelling Systems, Rear Air Suspension, Lithium Installation ( leisure battery upgrade ) and many more, just ask. Many customers travel to see us and then stay on our campsite whilst having repairs and upgrades. AL-KO ATC light is a really important LED, here’s why: Do you ever feel your Caravan moving side to side on […]

29Jan
leisure battery

What is the best leisure battery

CategoriesLithium Batteries Motorhome Upgrades

Need help choosing the right battery? If you can email us a list of appliances in your caravan, motorhome, or camper van, we can estimate the power needed for your caravan and recommend a few battery options. But before we dive into all things leisure battery, quick heads up. Bristol caravans is designed as a one-stop-shop for your caravan, motorhome & campervan. We have experienced & qualified staff that can help you with Engine Chassis Service, Habitation Service, Damp Repairs and popular upgrades like Self-Levelling Systems, Rear Air Suspension, Lithium Installation ( leisure battery upgrade ) and much more, just […]

26Feb
Electrical Safety Check

Caravan Electrial Safety Check

CategoriesCampervan Service Caravan Service Motorhome Service

EICR Safety Test – What every owner should know! The electrical installation condition report (EiCR) identifies damage, deterioration and defects which may cause danger within your Caravan, Motorhome or Camper van. It is a safety check of the 230v mains electrical wiring, switches, and appliances in your Caravan, Motorhome or Camper van. Bristol Caravans are trained, qualified and have the correct kit to complete this important safety check. What is included in a EiCR? The testing process involves the wiring and accessories undergoing several, and rigorous, electrical tests using: Problems discovered during the inspection and test can be remedied, or recommendations given to […]

04Nov
CTEK Lithium Battery

What are the benefits of a Lithium Battery?

CategoriesLithium Batteries Motorhome Upgrades

What does a leisure battery do? The leisure battery will power all 12v appliances including your lighting, and water pump! Your habitation 12v system needs to be above 11 volts for appliances to work. Benefits of a Lithium Battery Maintenance of a Lithium Leisure Battery Lithium batteries require little maintenance. Simply remove after a season and store in a cool place, out of direct sunlight. Ensure it is left at a minimum of 50% charge. It is not a requirement out of season to keep the battery on charge. Unlike other batteries Lithium (Li-on) batteries can re-charge hundreds of times […]

26Feb
Solar Panels

What is the right size Solor Panel for my Caravan, Motorhome or Campervan?

CategoriesMotorhome Upgrades

There are a few items to consider when thinking about a new solar panel: What type of leisure battery are you going to charge, and how many amps can it take when being charged? Only a Lithium battery can accept more than 10 amps, therefore if you have “standard” leisure batteries i.e. Lead Acid, Gel or AGM you should aim for a max or 10 amps charging. To put 10 amps into context, solar panels are usually sold based on a Watts rating. A 120w Solar Panel in theory without any loss, will give 10 amps, in reality it is […]

02Jun
Maxx Fan to keep your motorhome cool

How to keep your Caravan / Motorhome Cool

CategoriesCaravan Upgrades Motorhome Upgrades

Do you suffer from a hot and stuffy Caravan or Motorhome?Have sleepless, uncomfortable nights?Have little air flow, despite all the windows being open? Bristol Caravans are here to help you make your Caravan or Motorhome cool and comfortable through the summer months. It is important we make the most of the summer season. Setting up your Caravan for Summer Keep Blinds and Curtains closed Blocking the sunlight from entering your Caravan or Motorhome keeps the air inside from heating up. Although a simple trick, it can be very effective! Next time you go to the beach for the day, leave […]

28Mar
Toilet Not Working in Caravan or Motorhome?

Toilet Not Working in Caravan or Motorhome?

CategoriesCaravan Maintenance Motorhome Maintenance

If your toilet is not working in your caravan or motorhome, here are my top tips for year round successful toliet operation, keep your toilet fresh and ready to go! Nobody wants to go back to a smelly toilet in their Caravan or Motorhome…! How to leave the toilet out of season: Flushing the Top Tank –Before tucking your Caravan or Motorome away over the winter season, make sure you flush the top tank with clean water. You do NOT want to leave any resedue of chemical in the system as it will crystalise. Once crystalised your flush pump will […]

13Nov
230v-RCD-with-test-socket

Mains electic tripping at the post, why?

CategoriesCaravan Maintenance Caravan Service Motorhome Maintenance Motorhome Service

Overloading your Caravan / Motorhomes Electrics?  If your Mains electic is tripping at the post, and you are wonder why? There are two common causes that trip my electrics,1. Overloading – MCB Trips2. An Earth Fault – RCD Trips If you think you have a fault with your 230v system, consider an EICR test, it is a sefty test and will give you a written report on the sfety of your caravan, motorhome or campervan. Here is some more info on EICR. The last thing you want to do on holiday is trip your electrics, and potentially your neighbours! To […]

02May
Off-Grid Lithium Battery

Considerations when you plan to go off-grid

CategoriesCaravan Upgrades Lithium Batteries Motorhome Upgrades

Are you planning to take your Caravan, Motorhome or Campervan off-grid?Fancy going off-grid, but a little nervous?Need your leisure battery to last the whole trip? If you are a keen explorer, here are some lithium battery considerations to ensure you get the most out of your Caravan, Motorhome or Campervan. If you are considering installing an inverter, battery charger, or solar panel, contact us and request our short questionnaire to help us identify exactly what you need. An example of an off-grid system: How it works: Without having 230v mains electricity, you will need alternative power solutions in its place. […]

26Feb
Brake fluid replacement at Bristol Caravans

Brake Fluid Replacement, What, Where, How, When

CategoriesCampervan Maintenance Motorhome Maintenance Motorhome Service

Automotive experts agree that Brake Fluid should be changed regularly as a part of normal routine service. Not all manufacturers mention Brake Fluid in their scheduled maintenance recommendations, those that do, recommend fresh Brake Fluid approximately every 2 years or 24,000 miles, your motorhome probably cover less than 12,000 miles per year, so when was the last time your motorhome benefitted from some new Brake Fluid? The tech bit… Brake Fluid is a safety-critical subject, how important are the people onboard your vehicle? Most people don’t know why Brake Fluid should be changed, well Brake Fluid is hygroscopic, which means […]

13Nov

How does an Inverter work in a motorhome or caravan?

CategoriesCaravan Upgrades Motorhome Upgrades

If you are wondering “How does an Inverter work in a motorhome or caravan?” this article should help as a first step. An inverter is used to convert your 12v into 230v. This is perfect for going off-grid as you do not have access to mains electricity hook-up. In conjunction with your inverter, we recommend having a lithium battery. Due to inverters using a lot of energy, you must ensure you have a powerful battery. Having a lithium battery is the perfect solution because they have a higher energy density, a longer life, and the ability to maintain voltage even […]

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