You'll feel quite frustrated if your vehicle breaks down in the middle of the highway while you're on your trip. Getting maintenance checks can help you avoid such issues. Pay attention to signs indicating your vehicle might have an issue and let professionals inspect it instead of waiting until it fails.
According to the US Department of Transportation, around 36,640 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in 2025. You're putting yourself in great danger if you drive around without confirming that everything is working correctly.
Tammy James from CARAC encourages drivers to think about their vehicle and towing setup as one system. Don't neglect any of them when you're traveling with a caravan or RV.
What Does a Maintenance Check Consist Of?
Inspecting all parts your vehicle needs to move safely. When you take your car to a mechanic, they'll do things like:
- Check if the brakes are working correctly
- Inspect the tires for alignment and enough air
- Test the vehicle suspension system
- Confirm the lights are working well
Don't just rely on a normal service schedule when planning a long trip. It's better to be thorough so you can also have peace of mind.
How Often Should I Get Maintenance Checks?
It depends on what your owner's manual says. You shouldn't only get maintenance checks when your vehicle starts making a weird noise or consumes more fuel than usual.
By then, you might be dealing with a much more significant issue. These factors can cause your vehicle to strain and need frequent checks:
- Frequent towing
- Driving on rough roads
- Carrying heavy loads
Book a maintenance check after you get home from a long trip. It's great for roadside prevention. If the mechanic identifies any issues, they can work on them and get your vehicle ready for your next trip.
Expert Warns of Dangerous Highway Breakdowns: Learn How to Prevent Them
A breakdown triggered by a simple issue can become very dangerous if it causes you to stop on a busy highway.
Tammy James from CARAC advises drivers to avoid putting themselves in such risky situations. They should keep up with their vehicle maintenance needs instead of just driving, hoping everything will be okay.
Check Your Towing Gear
Your towing equipment deserves the same attention as your vehicle. Once you start doing maintenance checks before each trip, you're less likely to deal with issues like:
- Worn-out hitch components
- Damaged electrical connections
- Loose safety chains
Even if your towing gear has never failed, you shouldn't ignore signs of wear. You may end up regretting it if it fails when you're in a remote area.
Let experts from CARAC do a detailed check on your vehicle before you hit the road. They have been serving caravanning customers since 1979, and the employees use the products they sell too.
You can even ask them if your towing gear has enough power to handle the items you need to take on your trips. Having such information in advance helps you prepare better.
Inspect Your Tires Before a Long Drive
Your tires might look okay at a glance, only to later cause problems. During a maintenance check, you'll be able to identify issues like:
- Cracks or cuts
- Uneven tread wear
- Objects stuck in the tread
- Low tire pressure
As you inspect your tires, don't forget to check those on your trailer. Your spare one should also have enough pressure in case you need it while on your trip.
Test Your Braking System
When you're towing a trailer, your braking system will work harder. Never ignore odd sounds or vibrations that your vehicle makes during braking. These might mean there's an issue with your brake controllers or another part of the system.
Braking issues are actually one of the maintenance problems that cause deadly crashes. If the brakes fail while you're on a busy highway, you might hit other road users and cause costly damage.
Tammy James from CARAC says your brakes will also influence how smoothly your vehicle and caravan slow down. Anytime you suspect there might be an issue, don't hesitate to let your mechanic know. They should also be doing brake checks during your regular service too.
Watch Out for Trailer Bearing Issues
Trailer bearings help the wheels rotate smoothly. The moment they don't have enough lubrication, or they start failing, you might notice:
- Unusual wheel noise
- Excessive heat around the hub
- Vibration
Check your manufacturer's guide to see how often you should be inspecting the bearings. Servicing them more frequently is also a smart idea if you tow heavy things.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Maintenance Check Find Every Possible Problem?
No. When you drive in tough terrain, it can cause a system that was working well before to fail.
Don't skip maintenance checks just because they don't always uncover every issue going on with your vehicle. They still help you spot many warning issues. After you address them, you save yourself from costly breakdowns.
What Should I Do If My Vehicle Starts Having Trouble on the Highway?
Get to a safe location. If your vehicle starts losing power or showing signs of a serious problem, you might want to push it to the next service station. Avoid taking such a risk.
Reduce your speed instead and move away from heavy traffic if there's room. Doing so can help keep other road users safe. You should also ensure you turn your hazard lights on after stopping as you wait for help.
Does a Caravan Need Maintenance Even If I Rarely Use It?
Absolutely. Sitting unused doesn't mean a caravan will be in perfect condition the next time you need to use it. Your tires are probably aging if the vehicle is outside. Batteries also lose charge.
If your caravan has been sitting for months, get it checked just to be safe.
Stay Safe on the Highways
Tammy James from CARAC says that each driver needs to know their vehicle's maintenance needs. Once you address these, you'll likely feel more confident even when on unfamiliar roads.
Make maintenance checks a priority instead of taking costly risks. Never wait until your vehicle fails you on a trip you've been looking forward to.
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