What is not worth saving on when servicing a camper?

What is not worth saving on when servicing a camper? – main image

There is no need to remind you about the advantages of caravanning. Independence, mobility - almost no restrictions . Nevertheless, this form of spending free time also has serious disadvantages. It is enough to mention the accompanying costs . Even a few days' rental of a motorhome will cost you a considerable amount of money. The purchase of used or new equipment is even more expensive - and this is just the beginning of the investment.

How are we trying to save?

Faced with the high service and maintenance costs that are required to keep a motorhome in good condition, many people are looking for savings . The problem, however, is the way we try to save. We very often decide to buy cheap spare parts of unknown origin and low quality . Equally miserable, even unfavorable results will be obtained if you delay in carrying out maintenance repairs or replacing worn components. Another serious sin for camper owners is carelessness . Instead of systematically taking care of the cleanliness and hygiene of the interior , as well as all systems that require it, they limit themselves to only superficial cleaning . Of course, buying high-quality chemicals intended for this purpose means a large expense - which is better to avoid.

Savings effects

Virtually any kind of exaggerated savings can end in a short time with a series of serious faults and a general deterioration of the technical condition of the motorhome. Choosing cheap engine oil (or for the gearbox), contrary to the manufacturer's recommendations, may even result in seizure of the drive unit (or gearbox), or at least accelerate its wear . Worse still, low-quality oil may not guarantee the required tightness and lubrication of the entire system. It is equally irrational to use the cheapest elements of the running gear . Buying the cheapest suspension arms, shock absorbers or metal-rubber elements on the market will take care of the worn-out suspension only for a while. The shoddy parts will give up again after a few thousand kilometers - forcing the owner to repair again. Not to mention the lower driving safety.

Air conditioning

Mishandling the air conditioning will also end up costly for us. Coolant deficiencies will translate into a decrease in its efficiency , and what is worse, the air conditioning compressor may wear out - the repair can cost over PLN 1000 . This is not the end, however. Saving money on proper air conditioning service and maintenance will mean problems with the cleanliness of the entire system . The lack of periodic disinsection will affect our health.

The issue of servicing gas and water installations is similar. In their case, there should be no room for cost reduction and components without the appropriate certificates. Good, the quality of water and gas pipes guarantees their tightness and durability , which has a huge impact on our safety and the life of the entire motorhome.

This does not mean, however, that we have no chance of saving by exploiting the camper. Most of the maintenance works , and even some service treatments, can be performed on our own. We also do not have to use the services of authorized services , the same quality can be found in many independent workshops.

Maciej Mokwiński
Maciej Mokwiński

I follow the latest trends in the automotive industry, not only in caravanning

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Motorhome accident repairs – image 1
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Motorhome accident repairs
When we have a motorhome with a minor or larger accident, or we intend to buy a collision car, it is always worth contacting a proven service, specialized in repairing motorhomes. The Elcamp company from Krakow, known as a manufacturer and seller of motorhomes and a distributor of car parts and accessories, also runs a camping car repair service. Not only what's outside Most often, during a collision, elements of the outer skin of the car are damaged. The effects, however, can be much more serious. It is always worth checking if the equipment inside the vehicle and installations: water, gas, electricity, TV and others have not been damaged. The next stage of repair is the replacement of damaged parts . It is safest to get a specific, new part directly from the manufacturer. Elcamp gives a guarantee for all work performed, unless the repair at the customer's request was not carried out in accordance with the recommended technology. Then no one will take responsibility for any future faults. The biggest enemy of any building is its leakage . The vast majority of motorhomes have "sandwich" coverings. After a collision, check if there are any leaks through which water enters the interior, causing the frame to rot. In the event of damage or leakage of the roof, we will usually have nothing else to do but replace it with a brand new one. This usually takes a lot of time and money. Is the repair worth it? In the autumn and winter period, the workshop is working at full speed. A company with as much experience as Elcamp undertakes every repair of a damaged vehicle . Clients usually ask two questions: about the cost and duration of the work. Unfortunately, post-accident repair can take up to several months . This is due to the fact that not all parts are available "out of stock". The cost obviously depends on the degree of damage to the vehicle or its equipment. When the initial cost , which is usually estimated at the first inspection, exceeds the value of the car, it makes no sense to undertake repairs. Repair expenses are, of course, a river topic. They can be up to 100% of the market value of the vehicle. It is worth emphasizing, however, that it is not synonymous with the actual selling price - well-kept cars, repaired with the use of original parts, reach prices above average market prices. Please check before buying Sometimes it's a good idea to buy a used vehicle. However, be careful with new (or almost new) cars at bargain prices . Then we can almost be sure that they have had an accident. Of course, you can do something with them, but it is important to know about a possible collision. The purchase of an accident motorhome can even be profitable, provided that the vehicle is thoroughly inspected and, during the inspection, as much damage as possible related to the incident (or even earlier) is noticed. It even happens that the cost of post-accident work is lower than in the case of non-damage repair. Remember that previous defects are easy to hide in a damaged car, in which the seller will not allow us to connect, for example, electricity or gas during the inspection, explaining that the installations may be out of order. Sometimes it is of course true, but in this way we are deprived of the possibility of checking individual pieces of equipment. Haste is a bad advisor To find a used motorhome in good condition, you need to spend some time searching for it. It is rare that the first copy that catches our eye is actually worth buying. Here there is a small problem - buying a car abroad. Since we are going far and spending money to see the car, even if it does not correspond to the description, we often decide to buy it anyway. This is a serious mistake. When we are not specialists ourselves, it is best to opt for an advisor - it is an expense much lower than the unexpected repair later. Elcamp's experts often advise on the purchase of damaged or used cars, both at the company's headquarters and at the seller, at the request of customers. However, as they say themselves, nothing can replace a car inspection in a professional service prepared for the comprehensive service of camping vehicles, which has all the necessary equipment. Thanks to them, it is possible to detect defects that even an experienced specialist will not notice with the naked eye.