Caravans and motorhomes are often subjected to rough roads on long trips. Like internal parts, the external body parts of a caravan also undergo wear and tear as well as damage. All worn-out or damaged parts must be repaired or replaced as soon as possible to prevent further damage and reduce the life of your caravan.
Caravan maintenance both externally and internally is important to ensure comfortable interior protection and a beautifully finished caravan body. With this in mind, please keep reading as we look at some steps when it comes to repairing caravan panels and general caravan maintenance.
Can External Caravan Panels be Repaired?
As you tour around Australia your caravan will be exposed to harsh elements such as the scorching sun, rain, hail, bumpy terrain, penetrating fine dust, and airborne debris of all kinds. The exterior panels of your caravan will most likely have been given a protective coating such as Paintseal Gen3 Ceramic Coating. However, over time harsh conditions can slowly erode this coating and expose the exterior panels to a greater risk of deterioration.
Small dents and scratches that occur as a matter of course can be repaired quite easily without having to resort to replacing entire panels. Minor damage may look unpleasant but if they do not compromise the integrity of the caravan’s body they do not require an urgent fix.
However, if the panels have been damaged to such an extent that it will jeopardise the safety or performance of the caravan, it must be fixed immediately. For larger dents and serious scratches, it is best to hire the services of a specialised repair team to inspect your van and establish whether it is still road safe.
Internally, rips and tears to the fabric of the caravan will require the services of a fabric repair workshop to restore your caravan’s integrity. These repair technicians have the experience and knowledge needed to match the exact fabric type and colour scheme of your caravan to the repair material being used.
Repair or Replace?
If someone has driven into the back of your van or you have scraped the sides while reversing in a tight spot, chances are you will need the panels repaired. Manufacturers and caravan repair experts agree that it is far more cost-effective to repair caravan panels than to replace them and the quality of workmanship is sometimes so high that the finished product is better than the original.
In addition, certain caravan panels may no longer be available from the manufacturers and repairs may be your only option. However, there is only so much that can possibly be done with minor bodywork and it is best to replace a badly damaged panel rather than struggle to repair major damage. If your van is reasonably new you won’t have problems finding a good repair company to replace a damaged panel with one that matches perfectly with the rest of the caravan exterior.
Fibreglass Repairs
The front and rear panels of most caravans are usually made of fibreglass. This is a very strong material but can be damaged and get worn over time. different types of fibreglass damage include tears, scratches, scrapes, holes, punctures, and stress cracks. Most of these can be repaired by rebuilding the damaged area and adding filler for a smooth finish.
However, impact damage can cause a crushed core causing the composite layer in the laminate to deflect and may need to be replaced entirely. Delamination can occur as a result of impact stress between layers of fibreglass, causing them to separate. If tears are not fixed they will progress into fractures that deeply penetrate throughout the layers. Damage to fibreglass panels is repaired easily enough by using fibreglass resin and matting to rebuild and refill the damaged areas.
Choose RV & Caravan Centre for your Caravan Repairs
RV & Caravan Centre is an MVRL licensed caravan repair company preferred by most major insurance providers for insurance repairs. We are also authorised warranty agents for most major caravan manufacturers and our qualified, licensed tradesmen are experts at caravan repairs and renovations.
Please give us a call today on 1800 782 236 to learn more about our caravan services or leave an enquiry.
