Travel preparation

The Club’s technical team answer your questions on fridges

Q I’m planning a lengthy road trip this year. What precautions should I take with my vehicle to ensure trouble-free travel?

We all know we should check tyre pressures – but what other precautionary checks should you carry out?

A There’s never a good time to experience vehicle problems, but having trouble while you’re on holiday is particularly annoying.

The good news is that modern vehicles, if properly maintained, are very reliable. Towing does put more strain on a car than driving solo with a light load, but given the typical mileage most caravanners do, that’s not enough to create problems. However, it can expose underlying weaknesses from wear and tear or neglect.

It’s worth bearing in mind that increases in car prices due to inflation and general economic pressure has meant that the average age of cars on UK roads in 2025 is 9.5 years, up from 8 years in 2020, as people resist buying a newer vehicle for longer. Older vehicles need more attention regarding wear and tear, of course.

Recent research by the RAC found that one in six drivers who didn’t act to rectify advisory notices after an MOT subsequently suffered a breakdown or were involved in a collision as a result. Early warning signs of areas needing attention should be heeded even more urgently if you’re towing, and especially ahead of a long trip for any vehicle. Typical things to act upon include tyre or brake pad/disc wear and suspension issues.

Although caravans are not subject to MOTs, they still need routine attention. Professional maintenance (eg via the Approved Workshop Scheme – approvedworkshops.co.uk) is recommended for both the running gear and habitation services.

Where campervans and motorhomes are concerned, the commercial vehicles upon which they’re based are designed for intense and arduous duty, but they cope less well with periods without use. So, just because their annual mileage is relatively low, on average, when compared to their commercial cousins, deterioration can still occur. Examples of problems include battery failures, exhaust corrosion from condensation and fuel degradation (including ‘summer’ diesel left in over winter).

Annual maintenance is important, but perhaps the best preventative is regular use! The long service life of these vehicles also means paying attention to wear and tear in due course.

Good quality, periodic maintenance is vital, but regular checks (and always before a major trip) really help, too. An acronym of POWDERY (sometimes POWDERS) is useful:

Petrol (or diesel; or, going forwards, perhaps electrical Power). Make sure you’ve enough for your journey, or at least until the first planned stop.

Oil. Check the level and that the filler cap is secure.

Water. Check radiator and screenwash levels. Older towcars may benefit from having their radiators flushed to restore cooling efficiency under load.

Damage. Make sure there’s no obvious damage or insecure items.

Electrics. Roadlights, wipers. Note and take action if you see any warning lights or messages.

Rubber. Tyres, of course – check tread depth, correct pressure, and that they’re free from cuts and bulges. While you’re there, check wheels for condition and wheel fixings for tightness. Also – wiper blades.

You or Self. Are you fit to drive? Are you not too tired, unwell, under the influence of drink or drugs (including prescribed drugs), wearing glasses/lenses if required?

The better condition ‘you’ are in, the more likely it is that you’ll notice a vehicle fault promptly. And you’ll be a safer driver on that long trip.

Please address your questions to:

Technical Information,

Email: technical@camc.com

Tel: 01342 336611

...and quote your membership number

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