How often should you service the gas in your motorhome?

The gas in your motorhome does a lot of quiet work. Hot water for a shower, a hob to cook on, heating on a cold night, and in a lot of vans the fridge runs on gas too. You only really notice it when something stops.

So how often should you get it looked at?

There's no hard rule that says service it on this date. But a good habit is once a year, or before any big trip. If the van's been sitting through winter, get it checked before you head off in spring. Gas gear doesn't wear out on a schedule - it wears out from age, damp, road vibration and being left unused. A quick service catches the small stuff before it leaves you stuck.

What a service actually covers

- The regulator - the part that drops bottle pressure down to what your appliances need. They don't last forever, and a tired one is a common cause of weak flames and appliances playing up.

- Gas lines and hoses - checked for wear and cracking, then leak and pressure tested.

- Appliances - the cooktop, the califont or heater, and the fridge if it runs on gas.

- Ventilation and flueing - so anything burning gas is venting the way it should.

- Certificate and compliance if your vehicle needs it.

A couple of things worth knowing

Your gas bottles have a test date stamped on them. In New Zealand they need recertifying every 10 years, and a lot of people don't check until a refill station knocks one back. Worth a look next time you're filling up.

And a gas service isn't the same as a self-containment certificate. The cert covers water and waste for freedom camping. The gas service is about the gas being safe and working. You might need both, but they're different jobs.

If you can't remember the last time anyone looked at it, that's usually the sign to book one in. I service motorhomes, caravans and RVs across east Auckland and wider Auckland. Grant - Coast Gas. 022 681 0751.

Happy Travels

Grant