✦ Mobile Masters Detailing — WA Caravan Pre-Trip Checklist

Free resource from Mobile Masters Detailing Perth · 0459 748 968 · mobilemasters.com.au

WA Caravan Pre-Trip Checklist

Built for Western Australian conditions — salt air, red dust, UV, and long-haul outback trips. Tick off every item before you hit the road and after you return. Your van will thank you.

📋 42 checkpoints

🕐 ~20 mins to complete

📍 WA-specific tips included

🖨️ Print-friendly

Overall progress: 0% complete (0/42)

🚐

Exterior — Before You Leave

CRITICAL

Inspect roof for cracked or lifted seams, bubbles, or delamination
Water ingress through the roof is the single most expensive caravan repair. Do this first.
⚠️ WA — Heat expands and contracts sealant yearly. Check twice a year minimum.
Check all roof vent seals and skylight frames
Press firmly around the frame perimeter — soft spots indicate delamination beneath.
Inspect all window and door rubber seals
Cracked or hardened seals let in water and insects. Replace before they fail, not after.
⚠️ WA — UV dries out rubber seals 2–3× faster than east coast states.
Check slide-out seals for debris, tears or mould
Clean with a soft brush and apply slide-out lubricant if stiff or sticky.
Inspect exterior paint/gelcoat for oxidation, fading or chalking
Run your hand across the surface — white residue on your palm means active oxidation. Treat before it etches deeper.
⚠️ WA — North-facing panels oxidise fastest. Check those first.
Check for black streaks from roof run-off
Black streaks are algae and grime. Left untreated they stain permanently. Remove with a dedicated streak remover.
Check awning fabric for mould, tears or broken fittings
Roll out fully and inspect. Never pack away a wet awning — guaranteed mould.
Inspect exterior lights — brake, reverse, indicators, marker lights
Check the lenses for cracks. Moisture inside a light housing corrodes the connection.
Check stone guards, checker plate, and underbody protection
Gravel rash chips on aluminium and fibreglass allow moisture and corrosion to start underneath.
⚠️ WA — Red Kimberley and Pilbara gravel is particularly abrasive.
Check and grease all external hinges, locks and drawer catches
Salt air accelerates corrosion on hardware. A wipe of lanolin-based lubricant prevents this.

🛞

Tyres & Running Gear

CRITICAL

Check tyre pressure on all tyres including spare
Check when cold. Refer to van door placard for correct pressures — not the tyre sidewall.
⚠️ WA — Tyre pressure rises 4–6 psi in summer heat. Check before dawn if possible.
Inspect tyres for sidewall cracking, bulges, or uneven wear
Caravans sit stationary for long periods — UV and ozone crack sidewalls even when tread depth is fine. Age matters as much as wear.
Check wheel nuts are torqued correctly after first 100km
New or recently removed wheels settle. Re-torque after the first day of travel.
Inspect wheel bearings (listen for grinding or play when jacking)
Failing bearings are a common cause of caravan fires. Inspect annually or every 10,000km.
Check breakaway cable is connected and battery charged
Required by law in WA. Test the battery annually — they go flat in storage.
Inspect jockey wheel and A-frame for corrosion or damage

🛋️

Interior — Before You Leave

IMPORTANT

Check for moisture or mould in cupboards and under seats
Small leaks show up as musty smells or staining. Find the source before it spreads.
Test all appliances — fridge, hot water, stove
Run the fridge 24 hours before departure to reach temperature.
Check gas lines and connections for leaks
Brush soapy water on connections — bubbles mean a leak. Don't use a naked flame to check.
Test smoke and CO detectors
Replace batteries annually. CO detectors have a 5-year lifespan.

Check water pump and fresh water tank
Flush the tank with a water sanitiser if it's been sitting for more than a month.
⚠️ WA — Bacterial growth accelerates in summer heat. Sanitise more frequently.
Check toilet cassette is clean and chemical levels correct
Test 12V electrics — lights, USB, fans
Check solar panel output and battery bank levels
Clean panels lose up to 25% efficiency. Dust and bird droppings are the main culprits.

🏁

After Every Trip — Post-Trip Checklist

IMPORTANT

Rinse exterior thoroughly — especially undercarriage and wheel arches
Salt air and road grime accelerate corrosion. Rinse within 48 hours of a coastal trip.
⚠️ WA — Red Kimberley mud sets like concrete if left to dry. Rinse immediately.
Clean awning before rolling up — rinse and allow to dry fully
Rolling up a damp awning with salt, dust or bird droppings guarantees mould and staining.
Remove all food and perishables from fridge and pantry
Flush and sanitise fresh water system
Don't leave water sitting in tanks between trips — especially in WA summers.
Empty, clean and dry toilet cassette
Vacuum and mop interior — pay attention to entry areas and kitchen
Check roof and seals for new damage from the trip
Overhanging branches, low bridge markers and caravan park trees are the most common culprits.
Record any issues in a maintenance log
Small problems get forgotten. A simple note in your phone prevents expensive surprises.

🏠

Putting the Van into Storage

SEASONAL

Book a professional detail before storage
Salt, grime and oxidation continue to work on the surface during storage. A full detail with UV sealant stops this.
Apply UV protectant to all exterior rubber seals
A silicone-based seal conditioner prevents cracking over summer.
Place tyre covers on all wheels
UV destroys sidewalls faster than miles. Essential for outdoor storage.
Disconnect battery or connect to a maintenance charger

Cover vents and openings to prevent insect/rodent entry
Mesh covers over vents and fly screens left closed are the simplest prevention.
Leave interior cupboards open slightly for airflow
Prevents musty odours and mould in confined spaces during long storage.
Document the van's condition with photos before storage
Helps identify any new damage when you return, and is useful for insurance.
Check insurance policy is current and covers storage period

⚓

Boat Trailer — If You Also Tow a Boat

BONUS

Rinse trailer frame thoroughly after every boat ramp use
Salt water immersion at every launch is the fastest path to galvanic corrosion. Rinse within 2 hours.
⚠️ WA — Mandurah, Hillarys and Fremantle ramps are all high-salinity environments.
Inspect frame for rust spots, bubbling paint or white corrosion
Treat rust spots with converter before they perforate the galvanising — early treatment costs nothing; ignored rust costs a new trailer.
Grease wheel bearings or check bearing buddies
Salt water flushes out grease on every submersion. Failed bearings are the most common cause of trailer accidents in WA.
Check trailer lighting — submersion contacts corrode quickly
Apply dielectric grease to all connectors after rinsing. Not optional in WA's salt environment.
Inspect bunks or rollers for wear, cracking or looseness
Worn bunks allow the hull to rest on metal — causing stress cracks in fibreglass over time.
Apply anti-corrosion wax or lanolin spray to frame annually
One professional anti-corrosion treatment per year significantly extends trailer life in WA.

🚤 Also Need Boat or Trailer Detailing?

Mobile Masters Detailing offers mobile boat & marine detailing — hull cleaning, gelcoat restoration, ceramic coating and trailer rust protection. View Marine Services →

💡 Mobile Masters Detailing Tip — When to Call a Professional

This checklist handles what you can do yourself. But some things need a professional touch — oxidation removal, ceramic coating application, black streak treatment, and full interior deep cleans all require the right products and technique to do properly. Perth's UV is unforgiving. If your van's paintwork or gelcoat is showing signs of fading, chalking, or oxidation, catching it early with a paint correction and sealant will cost significantly less than full restoration later.

✦ Mobile Masters Detailing — WA Caravan Pre-Trip Checklist

Need a professional detail for your van?