habitation check

The Van
The Van Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited October 2016 in Caravans #1

Our caravan is due for a habitation check soon. What does this involve?  Thanks

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #2

    Not a lot from what I hear. We never bother but most people get it done to keep the warranty.

    The main things are probably the damp check, which you could do yourself, and the brakes and hitch will probably be checked. The wheel bearings may well be removed even if the manufacturer says they should not be disturbed. It's unusual for ancillary items such as the fridge or heater to be serviced. 

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited October 2016 #3

    TW is correct. Not much done for your £200.

    Check brakes grease and adjust, check hitch and things work inside. They don't service the fridge or adjust the motormover. 

    They do a damp check to cover themselves from a warranty claim and put a sticker on your hitch cover to say it's been done. 

    If anyone knows better do post because apart from a requirement to maintain warranty it doesn't seem to good value for money 

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,199 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #4

    We have owned our motorhome ten years and we've had one habitation check in that time. The chap who did it was good. Its damp, electrics, gas, water etc he said no need to do again for a few years unless problem and ours is ten years old, save your money.
    I'm happy with that.

    As a matter of interest, as a motorhome MOT applies and a service checks brakes wheels etc., but a caravan doesn't have this and I'd be surprised if the habitation check included hitch, wheels etc. So I'd definitely ask questions about that.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #5

    TW is correct. Not much done for your £200.

    Check brakes grease and adjust, check hitch and things work inside. They don't service the fridge or adjust the motormover. 

    They do a damp check to cover themselves from a warranty claim and put a sticker on your hitch cover to say it's been done. 

    If anyone knows better do post because apart from a requirement to maintain warranty it doesn't seem to good value for money 

    ..is this a safe place, do these covers (bit of PVC.) ever get lost?

    our sticker is in the 'service record' book along with any dealer stamps.....just like a car history.....(though i realise many are also kept online now)Happy

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited October 2016 #6

    I was being a bit facetious because you only see a bit of grease on the chassis and a sticker for your hard earned.

    I actually do keep the receipts to prove the service in the handbook and pull the sitcker off straight away. If someone wants to advertise on my 'van they can pay meWink

  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
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    edited October 2016 #7

    My Motorhome gets a habitation service every year.

    The difference from many....so it seems..is that all the gas water and electrical fittings are checked and serviced (about 50 different checks and 30 gas points).

    Plus damp readings (about 60 points).

    The service is done on my drive by a mobile engineer and I know he is totally thorough.

    For about £150 a year it's money well spent.....with the extra caravan bits he would charge about £200.

     

     

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #8

    Same as us, always happy to get the gas and electric systems checked after rattling over bumpy roads etc.. We get ours done at a local approved workshop for about £150. We did the same when we had a caravan, service receipts will be there if the van gets
    sold on. I would expect to see them on a van purchase too.

  • xtrailman
    xtrailman Forum Participant Posts: 559
    edited October 2016 #9

    Its important to ensure they carry a gas pressure check, especially if you regularly use gas with the appliances.

    Also inspecting the brakes is essential for safety.

    I wouldn't be happy if anyone tried to turn my caravan into a pincushion by damp testing in 60 points.

  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
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    edited October 2016 #10

    Perhaps you have a better method?

    My engineer doesn't use a pronged tester!

    However I do and for occasional checks it's extremely easy to access the edges of virtually all panels behind the plastic trim!SurprisedHappy

    It saves big bills to repair water ingress damage!