News & Advice

Common motorhome safety problems and how to avoid them

As motorhome holidays are becoming increasingly popular, more and more of us are enjoying holidaying here in the UK, hitting the open road in our motorhomes.

As we get caught up in the excitement of holidaying, motorhome maintenance and breakdown aren’t at the forefront of everyone’s minds. However, it pays to be prepared, just in case.

That’s why we’ve put together a list of the most common motorhome safety problems and how you can avoid them. Helping you to stay prepared for whatever the glitch.

There’s a variety of reasons why your motorhome could breakdown, and the most common simply boil to down to poor maintenance.

Check for leaks

For example, water leaks, if left untreated, can lead to serious bodywork and engine damage. This is particularly apparent during the winter when most motorhomes will be in storage or overwintered and not in use.

So, always ensure to check in on your motorhome every other month to ensure everything is OK.

Your motorhome could also be subject to a gas leak.

Leaking gas lines are extremely dangerous, and can lead to accidental fires if they’re faulty. It’s unfortunately an all too common occurrence, so to prevent this happening, have your gas system thoroughly checked by an authorised facility annually. A gas leak check is covered within a habitation check, so make sure to get yours booked in.

Check the tyres

Confirming that your tyres are in check, pumped up and aren’t punctured is another safety check you can easily conduct to avoid danger. A blown tyre may seem like a minor inconvenience, but it can cause an accident that’s dangerous to yourself and others. To prevent this, never overload your motorhome and always maintain proper inflation levels (these can be found in your owner manual). Also ensure you regularly check the side of the tyres for cracks.

Check your route

This one may seem obvious, however, driving into a bridge or overhang can be a major safety problem, not only for yourself but for other motorists too. Ensure you measure your motorhome and add an additional foot to the measurement to be on the safe side. Write the measurement down and keep it safe, so if you’re nearing a bridge or overhang you’ll know if you’ll be able to safely pass through. Another smart idea is to check your route for low bridges and see if you can get any information on their heights. This can help you to plan alternative routes for any eventuality.

Check the roof

You might think of your motorhome the same way you think of your home, but the reality is that it's not nearly as structurally sound. Everything from sunlight to poor weather to low-hanging branches can potentially damage your motorhome’s roof. If possible, use a roof cover to minimise exposure to the elements.

If you can't keep it covered, inspect the roof monthly for any signs of damage and repair it immediately.

Check the battery

Battery failure can be another problematic issue.

Lights won’t turn on and power outlets won’t work if there’s something wrong with the battery.

Regularly check the fluid levels in your battery and test the charge to make sure it’s still working properly.

To save battery life, disconnect the battery cables when your motorhome isn’t in use, which will prevent electrical devices from draining the battery even though they’re off.

Habitation checks are essential to for the safety and protection of your motorhome. At HabCheck, we carry out reliable habitation checks that’ll help prevent any of the above problems occurring, catching issues before they develop and ensuring your motorhome is safe and sound.

We offer impartial checks that you can trust. Book yours today.