CARAVAN CARE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 December 1939, Page 21 (Supplement)

CARAVAN CARE

SOME MAINTENANCE TIPS POINTS FOR THE HANDY MAN. KEEPING THE VEHICLE IN GOOD TRIM. In an informative article dealing with caravans and their maintenance, "The Roamer." writing in the "New Zealand Motor World." gives some valuable hints for the motorist who wishes to keep his vehicle in good trim. Most caravans are exposed to much salt spray when parked on or near the beach, and this corrosive action affects the ironwork, so that all good caravanners should make a point of going over the metal, of the chassis once each season with a suitable paint, he states. The worst job is. of course, to remove the accumulated rust and mud, but if a good job is to be done it is essential that the work be thoroughly cleaned before painting. There are several anti-rust paints on the market that are quite good, and when the chassis has been well cleaned off, this application should be made. Use a small brush, it is much easier, for if a large brush be used the paint will run back and down your arm. It is easier to get at small boltheads, etc., with a small brush, or into intricate corners.

Having painted the chassis, it is as well to look to the wheel-bearings. If the hubcap is removed, you will find a locknut held with a cotterpin. This adjusts the wheel-bfearings, and this adjustment should be checked up each season. When the wheel is jacked up test for slight play on the axle. Af-

ter a season’s running it will generally be found that the adjusting nut can be taken up a half-turn. It is as well to examine the bearings while on the job. making sure the rollers are not cracked, and repacking the bearing with heavy grease when replacing. This job is quite simple, and motorist's need not be nervous about difficulty in replacement.

The spring shackle bearings should of course, be greased, and as a matter of routine the tyres should be examined for small cuts or other laults. If your van has the crew-operated brace legs, these should be thoroughly cleaned off and the screw portion greased. Well greased screw legs will save many a temper during the season. Here’s a good tip for those who undertake this maintenance job. Prepare two strong blocks that will support the weight of the caravan, making them approximately 12in high, with a run up on one side. 1 tow your van with the car till the wheels are upon the blocks, taking care of course to chock the wheels. By raising first the front of the caravan when painting in front of the axle, and letting the nose of the van on the ground when painting the rear section, you will find the whole job much easier to get at. When working under the van. be sure at all time to see that a strong box or other suitable support is placed under the van in case ol accidents, for a caravan can be a ■ very nasty thing if it falls on you. when working underneath.

By the time you have done all these things I am suggesting you will be feeling somewhat fed up with this overhaul business, but the job is not done yet. The roof probably will repay for having a coat of aluminium paint, or whatever colour your roof is finished. The old covering should be well sand-papered down, and a good coal of paint applied. Go over your window hinges, anct apply a spot of oil. Frequently these will be found to have rusted up, and have become quite stiff, resulting in strain being placed on the screws each time the window is opened. Check over the rubber around the door and windows. This tends to perish and may let you down in a heavy rainstorm. The rubber strip it quite cheap, and is easily fixed, so it is as well to look to this item.

Smaller items such as the battery, door hinges, roof ventilators, front coupling, etc., should all receive a check over. Now. if you carry out all these things, you will experience the feeling that your caravan is in good trim, and ready for the coming season. Your hands will doubtless bear evidence lor some weeks of the work you have undertaken, and your wife will complain about the condition of the hand towels, while the painting is in progress, but in spite of all this, the overhaul will be worth while.

A super-caravan, inspected in Auckland is 21ft at floor level, and is a lantern roof type, with six ventilators along the roof. It is finished a rich eream and certainly looks well. The caravan is gas equipped, having a two burner cooker, also a chromium gas radiator for heating. There is a large shower and toilet room, and hand basin for washing. Gas caliphont for the hot water supply, stainless steel cooking recess, cocktail bar. four single beds, two wardrobes, built in electric charging set. having 12-volt system, vacuum brakes, and a small winch

mounted on the towbar to assist in coupling up are other details. The interior finish looks very line, the ply being finished in a light natural polish which shows off the grain of the wood.