Go! Drive & Camp DIY Guide 2023

ED'S LETTER Calling all DIYers! Camping involves taking care of your caravan just as much as relaxing by the braai fire. Somewhere along the line, you'll have to check the brakes or perhaps reconnect the wires of the light plug. Perhaps you'll need to replace a window or it could be time for new gas struts for your caravan's pop-up roof. This guide is for campers who are itching to get their hands dirty. But maintenance doesn't start when replacing worn-out tyres or checking the coupler. Prevention is always better than cure, which is why we also include tips ranging from how to store your caravan properly to the dilemma of wood rot. Your towing vehicle is equally important, and we also look at the condition of your battery, for…

IN A NUTSHELL DIY Guide If your caravan, off-road trailer or trailer has spent a few months with a roof over its head, some things might suddenly not work so well anymore. Now you have two options: cough up a lot of money for a service, or do it yourself. A caravan or trailer that isn't properly maintained can end up costing you a lot of money. Thankfully it is easy – and relatively cheap – to service and maintain it yourself. The secret lies in a good checklist. If you work your way through such a list, chances are slim that you'll forget something. And even if you don't service your caravan yourself, you can still use the list to check if the guys at Corner Servicing do a good…

Take a shower. Check the shower system and all the taps and make sure they work properly. Also test that the geyser works. on, off, in… Check for cracks in the plastic over indicator and brake lights. Water works. Check if the water pump works. Open the taps to see if the water flows. Check if there are any leaks at the pump, taps or pipes. Testing, testing. Now test the fridge, lights and other electrical appliances in the caravan. If the battery doesn't immediately have enough life in it, wait until it's fully charged, then test these again. Charge it. Batteries aren't cheap and need to be looked after. Charge them regularly and keep them charged, even in winter or at other times when you're not using your caravan.…

KEEP AN EYE ON DIY Guide Around the campfire and on Internet forums, caravanners have all sorts of opinions on the right way to do it. Many say the only place you should consider is under a roof, between four walls and behind a closed door. Some even go so far as building a tiled caravan garage outside their homes. Others say under a shaded carport is just fine. Then there are various opinions on the pop-up roof – one group of campers say it has to be open while you're not using the caravan, while others are adamant that it should be closed. Another point of debate is whether the caravan can be stored on its own wheels or if they should be removed. A couple of years ago we…

KEEP AN EYE ON DIY Guide Caravan tents are still made of canvas – just like they were a decade or two ago. However, today's material is vastly different from what was used yesteryear. Current tent canvas can last a lifetime, but the lifetime of your tent depends on the manner in which you maintain it. BEWARE OF SOAP The canvas material is sealed in the factory as soon as it's woven. The material is plunged into a container with a waxy sealant and a special agent to protect it against mildew. The sealant is therefore not merely on the material, but absorbed into the fabric. Domestic soap and cleaning agents are chiefly made to remove grease, so if you use them to wash your tent, you run the risk of…

A bird in hand. Birds perch and make nests in trees, so tents pitched in the shade are often bespattered with you-knowwhat. Trees such as thorn trees can also soil tents with their gum. Plan B. If you don't have an extra piece of canvas or a groundsheet, pitch the tent on a clean surface, like paving or grass. Also avoid stepping on the canvas section when folding it away. Beware of rust. Keep your tent pegs separate from the tent itself. They can cause damage to the canvas and even leave rust stains. Cook on the other side. Never prepare food near or immediately next to the tent. Oil splattering from the food will leave spots on the canvas. PRO TIP Stay off the concrete. Don't store your tent…