The following jobs can be tackled by an experienced, competent owner of a caravan. You need to ensure you have the relevant skills for the particular job in hand. The extent of self-help depends on your technical knowledge, practical skill and tool kit. For instance, some owners will successfully tackle the following tasks:

■ Checking and greasing: corner steadies, jockey wheel, coupling head mechanism, brake rods and linkages, handbrake assembly.■ Checking: ■ breakaway cable ■ operation of road lights ■ condition of 12N and12S plugs and sockets ■ tyres and tyre pressure ■ wheel nut tightness – a torque wrench is needed for this job ■ shock absorbers (where fitted) ■ mains sockets using a plug tester ■ RCD cut-out button ■ 12v system operation ■ water system and pump operation ■ tap mechanism – microswitch operation ■ window and roof-light fittings, ■ blind operation – tighten spring if needed ■ smoke alarm – replace battery ■ furniture, hinges and stays ■ battery condition ■ gas supply hose and butane coupling nut washer ■ check that all ventilators are unobstructed. ■ Brake adjustment: Many handbooks give brake adjustment instructions. The task is quite involved and creating safe access underneath a caravan is crucial. Well-equipped dealers use a ramp. Owners with mechanical experience often complete the work satisfactorily but note: ■ On older caravans (where the drums are retained with a castellated nut and split pin) shoe and bearing replacement and dust removal can usually be achieved using normal tools. ■ On newer models, a one-shot retaining nut needs a heavy duty torque wrench (around £250). ■ To replace sealed bearings a drum has to be returned to the manufacturer. Caravan workshops will have equipment such as this ramp. What to look for when you want your caravan or trailer serviced.