Caravan season prep in Exeter
Professional caravan season prep services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-£160
Typical Duration
1.5-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Caravan prepped and ready for the season. Safety checked, cleaned, systems tested, aired out. First trip this weekend? You're good to go.
Don't Start The Season With Problems
Six months in storage means things go wrong. Tyres go soft, batteries die, water systems get stale, damp creeps in. Season prep catches all that before your first trip, not during it.
💡 Pro tip: Get prep done 1-2 weeks before first trip. Gives time to fix any issues found without ruining your holiday plans.
Prepped Properly vs Hope For Best
| ✅ Season Prep | ❌ Just Use It |
|---|---|
| Safety checked before travel | Find issues on motorway |
| Water system flushed and clean | Stale water, blocked taps |
| Tyres correct pressure | Blowout risk on first trip |
| Damp spotted early | Expensive damage by season end |
What Gets Done
🔧 Full Preparation Service
| Check | What I Do |
|---|---|
| Tyres | Pressure, tread, age, condition |
| Lights | All working, clean, connections solid |
| Gas | Leak test, regulator check, taps function |
| Water | Flush system, test taps, check for leaks |
| Brakes | Visual check, handbrake operation |
| Damp | Meter check for moisture ingress |
| Electrics | 12V and 240V systems tested |
| Clean | Basic clean, air out, remove winter smell |
📦 Additional Tasks
- Remove cover if fitted
- Charge leisure battery if needed
- Check awning rail for damage
- Test fridge operation
- Cupboard ventilation check
- Restock basics (if requested)
Pricing
| Service Level | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Basic safety check + clean | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
| Full season prep | 2-3 hrs | £110-£160 |
| Prep + minor repairs | 3-4 hrs | £160-£210 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Issues found may need extra time.
Perfect Timing
✅ March/April - before season starts properly
✅ Before first trip - not literally the morning of
✅ After winter storage - especially if stored outside
✅ New-to-you van - first season with secondhand caravan
✅ Annual ritual - catch problems early every year
Why Choose Us for Caravan season prep in Exeter?
Full safety checks completed
Cleaned and aired after winter
Systems tested and working
Ready for first trip
What to Expect
Step 1: Safety Checks
Tyres, brakes, lights, gas system. The stuff that needs working before you tow it anywhere or use appliances.
Step 2: System Tests
Water pumps, taps, fridge, heating. Make sure everything that should work does work. Note anything that needs attention.
Step 3: Clean and Air
Open it up, clear any winter condensation, basic clean, make it smell less like it's been shut up for 6 months.
🔧 DIY Tips
Doing your own season prep? Here's the checklist:
🔧 Safety checks
- Tyres: Correct pressure (check sidewall), tread legal (1.6mm min), no cracks, check age (replace after 5-7 years)
- Lights: All working (have someone watch while you test), clean lenses
- Gas: Leak spray on connections, smell test, regulator check
- Brakes: Visual check pads/drums, handbrake holds on slope
- Coupling: Greased, moves freely, lock mechanism works
💧 Water system
- Flush: Fill tank, add sterilising fluid, run through all taps, leave hour, drain completely
- Refill: With fresh water, run taps til clear
- Check for leaks: Under sink, behind taps, water heater connections
- Test pump: Runs smoothly, no odd noises, pressure feels right
🔋 Electrics
- Leisure battery: Charge if needed, check terminals clean
- 12V systems: Lights, pump, anything 12V powered
- 240V: With hookup, test sockets, fridge, heating
- Fuses: Check they're all present and correct
⚠️ Damp check
- Use meter: Check all corners, under windows, around skylights
- Readings: Below 20% is good, 20-30% watch it, above 30% investigate
- Visual: Look for staining, soft spots, musty smell
⚠️ Common issues found
- Flat battery (happens over winter)
- Soft tyres (air leaks slowly)
- Stale water (flush thoroughly)
- Blown fuses (various causes)
- Damp spots (need addressing ASAP)
💡 Pro trick: Take photos as you check things. Build a record over seasons. Easier to spot when something's changed or getting worse.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚐 Found damp? Don't panic but don't ignore it. Small damp patches caught early are fixable. Left til end of season, they're expensive repairs.
Service vs Prep: Mechanical service (brakes, bearings, chassis) is separate. That's for mechanics. Season prep is making it habitable and safe to use. Different jobs.
Battery maintenance: If storing over winter, remove leisure battery and keep on trickle charge at home. Extends life massively.
Often combined with:
- Cover removal and storage
- First-trip site setup help
- Awning erection service
Insurance: Some insurers want evidence of regular maintenance. Keep record of checks done - date, what was checked, any issues found. Can be useful for claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included in season prep?
Safety checks (tyres, lights, gas, brakes), cleaning after winter storage, airing out, testing water system, checking for damp or damage, restocking essentials like toilet chemicals. Basically getting it from 'been in storage' to 'ready for a trip this weekend'.
Can you do this at my storage location?
Yes - most of my caravan work is at storage sites or people's driveways. I'll come to wherever your van is. If it's somewhere without water or electric, some tasks are limited, but most of the prep can still be done.
Is this the same as a caravan service?
No - a service is mechanical (brakes, bearings, chassis). Season prep is more about making it habitable and safe to use. Checking gas works, water's clean, no damp appeared over winter, lights function. Different focus.
Do I need to be there?
Helpful but not essential. I'll need access to the caravan and any outside taps if testing water system. Can work around your schedule - leave keys, you collect a ready van later.
How long does it take?
2-3 hours typically. Small tourers quicker, big twin-axles with full checks take longer. If I find issues (damp, blown fuse, etc) might take extra time to sort.
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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