Are your motorhome or caravan lights ready for the summer holidays? As the travel season kicks off, it's important to check your caravan lights and tyres ahead of any trips to avoid unexpected penalties and keep you safe on the road, so don’t let a simple oversight spoil your holiday plans - here’s our guide to checking these important features this summer.
Why are light checks important?
Checking your caravan lights is important for two reasons - firstly, to protect yourself and other drivers whilst on the road, and secondly, to legally protect yourself from fines and penalties.
Fully-functioning lights, including brakes, indicators, and headlights, all play an important role in maintaining road safety standards. Even in dark or rainy conditions, drivers should be able to see your vehicle clearly and you should be able to communicate your intentions to others through indicators and brake lights to prevent accidents and have a safe journey. This is essential for caravans in particular, as it is all too easy to hitch your caravan to your car and drive off on an adventure without taking the time to connect the electricals and check that the lights are working properly.
However, it is one of the most dangerous mistakes that any caravanner can make, and it will cost you dear. If you are found to be driving with a faulty light, even if it is just one, then your vehicle will be deemed unroadworthy and this will lead to fines of up to £2,500, 3 points on your licence for operating a vehicle in a dangerous condition, and even a driving ban.
How do I complete these checks?
Far from a quick ‘are the hazards on?’ check, a thorough assessment of the condition of your lights before you set off this summer should include the following steps:
- Park Safely: Position your vehicle on a flat surface and turn on the parked vehicle's electrical system. For motorhomes, make sure to turn off the ignition whilst keeping the electrics on.
- Check Headlights: First up, the headlights. Turn on both high and low beams and then get out of the vehicle to check for yourself that they work correctly and that they can be clearly seen from a distance.
- Check Indicators: Whilst still at the front of the vehicle, activate each indicator to check that they flash properly on both sides, before heading to the back of the vehicle to check those lights as well.
- Brake Lights: Now that you’re at the back of the vehicle, it’s time to check the brake lights. You will need someone to press the brake pedal whilst you verify that the lights illuminate, or you can check whilst pressing the brakes yourself by using a reflective surface.
- Tail Lights: The last exterior light that you need to check is the tail lights. These lights are engaged when the parking brake is on or when you have your headlights turned on, so make sure that they light up clearly in both instances.
- Interior Lights: Whilst not essential for road safety, it is always a good idea to take this opportunity to check your interior lights and identify any electrical issues or faulty bulbs.
If you find any issues, then it is important to immediately replace any non-working bulbs to maintain safety and compliance, so check out our full lighting collection today to find all the bulbs and markers that you need.
Do I need to check my vehicles’ tyres?
Caravan and motorhome tyres, just like the tyres on all other vehicles, are the only contact point between your vehicle and the road. Their reliability and integrity affect handling, braking, and the overall movement of your vehicle on the roads, and underinflated or worn tyres will significantly increase the risk of accidents, whilst also potentially invalidating your insurance and costing you up to £2,500 per tyre in fines. To avoid these penalties, it is important to regularly check them before planning any adventures this summer:
- Check Your Tyres: To start off, park up your vehicle again and look for any visible signs of damage such as cuts, cracks, or bulges on the tyre surface. If you don’t notice any visible signs, then don’t stop - there may be dangerous issues that aren’t immediately obvious.
- Check The Tread Depth: Use a tread depth gauge to make sure that the tread is above the legal minimum, which is at least 1.6mm across the entire circumference and the central three-quarters of the tread.
- Tyre Pressure: Tyres can easily lose pressure over time, particularly if this is your first adventure of the year and your caravan has sat stationery for a long time, so check the tyre pressure with a reliable gauge and inflate to the manufacturer’s recommended levels. This information is usually found in the vehicle handbook or on a sticker inside the door frame.
- Tyre Age: Even if your tyres appear to be in good condition, it is recommended that you replace your tyres every five years to maintain vehicle safety, and you must replace any tyres that are seven years old or over.
Most of these checks are quick to complete and will likely not reveal any issues with your tyres - however, if your tyres are no longer road-worthy, then it is important to immediately replace them. The safety of your passengers and other road users must always be your top priority, so get in touch with our team today if you have any questions or need any advice.
Create unforgettable memories and avoid fines this summer
A few minutes of checks can prevent major issues, so stay safe and fine-free this summer by giving your caravan lights and tyres the attention that they need before hitting the road, and don’t forget to get in touch with our team if you have any questions or need replacements.