Mars Caravan Service & Maintenance Schedule – What to Check and When

Regular servicing and basic checks are essential to keep your Mars caravan safe, reliable and ready for every trip. This guide gives you a simple, practical service and maintenance schedule so you know what to do and when.

Important: This is a general guide only. Always follow the specific service recommendations and intervals provided in your Mars owner documentation and by the manufacturers of individual components (e.g. suspension, brakes, appliances).

1. Overview – Three Levels of Maintenance

Think about caravan maintenance in three layers:

• Pre-trip and post-trip checks
  Quick inspections you can do yourself before and after each trip.
• Scheduled services
  Workshops or qualified technicians inspecting and servicing running gear, brakes, bearings and critical systems.
• Condition-based checks
  Extra inspections after heavy off-road use, long corrugated roads or unusual events (e.g. hitting a pothole hard).

2. Initial Service – First 500–1,000 km or Within 3–6 Months

Your first service is one of the most important. New vans settle in as they’re used, and components can bed in, stretch or loosen slightly.

At around 500–1,000 km of travel (or within 3–6 months of delivery, whichever comes first), we recommend a comprehensive check by a caravan service centre or suitably qualified workshop.

Typical checks at this stage include:

• Running gear & chassis
  • Wheel bearings inspection and re-grease/adjust if required.
  • Brake adjustment and function check.
  • Suspension components – bolts, bushings, U-bolts, shackles and shock absorbers.
  • Chassis and drawbar visual inspection for damage, cracks or loose fasteners.
• Wheels & tyres
  • Wheel nut torque check.
  • Tyre condition and pressures.
• Coupling & safety chains
  • Coupling operation and fasteners.
  • Safety chains and shackles.
• General systems
  • Lights and wiring visible checks.
  • Basic water system and gas system leak/operation check (by licensed personnel where required).

Keep records of this initial service – it forms an important part of your van’s history.

3. Regular Scheduled Services – Every 10,000 km or 12 Months

After the initial service, a good rule of thumb is to have a full service every 10,000 km or every 12 months, whichever comes first. If you do a lot of rough-road or off-road work, you may need shorter intervals.

A typical annual service includes:

3.1 Running Gear & Brakes

• Inspect and service wheel bearings (clean, re-grease, replace if needed).
• Inspect and adjust electric or mechanical brakes.
• Check brake magnets, linings, drums and handbrake operation.
• Check suspension (springs, shocks, bushes, U-bolts, mounting bolts) for wear or damage.

3.2 Chassis & Underbody

• Inspect chassis rails, crossmembers and drawbar for corrosion, cracks or impact damage.
• Inspect stone guards, underbody protection, tanks and mounts.
• Tighten or replace any loose or damaged fasteners.

3.3 Wheels & Tyres

• Check tyre tread depth and condition (including spare).
• Check tyre pressures and adjust as per load and usage.
• Re-torque wheel nuts to recommended settings(135nM). NB: To be checked every 50km after a wheel has been removed and refitted.

3.4 12V and 240V Electrical (By Qualified Personnel)

• Basic function check of lights, sockets and charging system.
• Check visible wiring for damage or chafing.
• Any work on 240V systems must be performed by Mars Service or a licensed electrician.

3.5 Gas & Appliances

• Gas leak tests and regulator/hose inspection by a licensed gas fitter.
• Basic operation check of:
  • Stove and gas hot water (if fitted).
  • Fridge on its various power modes.
  • Air conditioner, heaters and major appliances.

3.6 Body, Seals & Exterior

• Inspect door and window seals for wear, gaps or deterioration.
• Check for signs of water ingress (staining, swelling, soft spots).
• Inspect awning mounts, roof accessories and external fittings.

4. Pre-Trip Checklist – Every Trip

Before each trip, you should carry out a simple pre-trip check. This can be done by the owner and usually takes only a short time.

• Tyres & wheels
  • Check tyre condition (no cuts, bulges), tread and pressures (including spare).
  • Check wheel nuts appear seated correctly (use a torque wrench if you have one).
• Coupling, safety chains & jockey wheel
  • Inspect coupling, pin and handbrake for correct operation.
  • Check safety chains and shackles are in good condition.
  • Ensure jockey wheel is working and can be securely stowed.
• Lights & electrics
  • Check all trailer lights – indicators, brake, tail and clearance lights.
  • Check breakaway system (if fitted) as per instructions.
• Inside the van
  • Secure doors, drawers and loose items.
  • Check gas is turned off at the bottle before travelling.
• Weights & loading
  • Pack within your ATM and GTM limits and distribute weight sensibly.
  • Heavier items low and near the axle line where possible.

For a more detailed list, see our Pre-Trip Checklist article (if available) or print your own copy based on these points.

5. Post-Trip Checks – After Each Trip

After a trip, particularly after off-road or corrugated travel:

• Rinse off dust, mud and salt from the underbody, chassis and running gear.
• Visually inspect:
  • Shocks, springs and underbody for damage or leaks.
  • Cables, hoses and wiring for rub marks or loose supports.
• Check inside for any signs of new leaks or water entry.
• Open the van for a while to let air circulate and moisture escape.

Fix small issues early – it is always easier and cheaper than waiting for them to grow into bigger problems.

6. Extra Attention After Heavy Off-Road or Corrugated Travel

If you’ve done significant off-road or long corrugated sections, we recommend an extra inspection, even if you’re not yet at your normal service interval.

• Check for:
  • Loose or missing bolts, nuts or brackets under the van.
  • Cracks in stone guards, mudflaps or brackets.
  • Loose interior fittings, hinges or latch screws.
• Listen for new noises while towing (clunks, squeaks, knocks) and investigate early.

Heavy off-road use can accelerate wear and may require more frequent servicing of running gear and suspension.

7. Owner vs Workshop – Who Should Do What?

As the owner, you can and should:

• Do visual inspections before and after trips.
• Monitor tyre condition and pressures.
• Check for obvious leaks, loose items and changes in how the van tows.
• Keep a record of kilometres travelled and trip types (sealed vs off-road).

Work that should be done by a qualified professional includes:

• Wheel bearings, brakes and suspension servicing.
• Any work on the chassis structure (welding, crack repairs, modifications).
• All 240V mains electrical work (licensed electrician only).
• Gas leak tests, regulator/hose replacement and gas appliance servicing (licensed gas fitter only).

8. Keeping Records

Good records help with resale value and can assist with warranty or insurance questions.

• Keep a folder or digital file with:
  • All service invoices and reports.
  • Notes on any repairs or upgrades.
  • Dates and approximate kilometres for significant trips.
• Note any repeated issues or patterns to discuss with your service provider or Mars support.

Summary

A simple but consistent service and maintenance routine will keep your Mars caravan safer, smoother to tow and more enjoyable to own:

• Wheel nuts checked and torqued(135nM) 50km after wheels removed and re-fitted
  
• Initial service at around 500–1,000 km.
  
• Regular servicing every 10,000 km or 12 months (or more often for heavy use).
• Pre-trip and post-trip checks every time you travel.
• Extra attention after rough-road or off-road trips.

If you’re ever unsure whether something needs attention, or how often a particular component should be serviced, please speak with a qualified caravan service centre or lodge a support ticket with your van details and any photos – our team is here to help keep you safely on the road.