07 Oct
caravan
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Summer Holidays Are Coming: Ready to Hit the Road with Your Caravan?

Summer holidays are almost here, and as is tradition for many Aussie families it’ll be caravan on, kids strapped in, and off down the highway. Do a fast pre-trip check on tyres, brakes and cooling so the trip stays smooth from driveway to destination.

Start with your vehicle

  • Service up to date? Fresh oil, filters and a quick scan can catch small issues before they become holiday-ending problems.
  • Cooling system check: Summer heat + highway speeds = tough conditions. Make sure coolant, hoses and radiator fans are in top shape.
  • Brakes & battery: Healthy pads/rotors and a tested battery give you confidence on long drives and in stop-start traffic.

Tyres matter (car + caravan)

  • Tread & age: Look for cracks or uneven wear. Caravan tyres often age out before they wear out, replace if older than ~5–6 years.
  • Pressures: Set them cold to the right PSI for your load, then re-check at your first stop. Under-inflated tyres build heat fast.
  • Spare + tools: Make sure your spare is roadworthy and you’ve got the jack, wheel brace and torque wrench you need.

Alignment & handling

Towing puts extra load on your rear tyres and suspension. A wheel alignment before your trip keeps the rig tracking straight, reduces tyre wear and helps your fuel economy.

Caravan basics to tick off

  • Wheel bearings & brakes: Have them inspected/serviced, especially if the van’s been sitting.
  • Lights & wiring: Plug in and test all indicators, brake lights and the electric brake controller if fitted.
  • Weight & balance: Pack heavy items low and central, and keep tow ball weight in the recommended range for stability.

Pack a simple highway kit

  • Tyre inflator and accurate gauge
  • Tyre plug kit
  • Basic tools and fuses
  • Water and sunscreen (for you!)
  • TPMS if you have one, great for spotting slow leaks early

Quick routine on the road

At each fuel stop, do a 60-second walk-around: feel wheel hubs (warm is fine, too hot isn’t), glance at sidewalls, check for nails, and confirm your couplings and chains are still snug.

Let Auto Leaders get you trip-ready

Heading off soon? We can take care of the lot so you can just enjoy the drive.

  • Vehicle Servicing & Pre-Trip Checks – fluids, filters, cooling, battery
  • Brake Checks (car & electric brakes) – confident stopping, loaded or not
  • Air-Con & Cooling System Service – keep your cool when temps climb

Book online or call us today on 1800 888 618