Vintage caravans need specialist care. Here's what's involved in servicing and restoring an older van.
There's something special about a vintage caravan. Whether it's a mid-century teardrop, a 1970s Franklin, or a classic 1980s pop-top, older vans have a character and charm that modern flat-packs can't replicate. But older vans do require different care from their modern counterparts.
Wheel bearings, brakes, and tyres don't care how charming your van is. On older caravans, these components often haven't been serviced in years — sometimes decades. Before anything else, a vintage caravan needs a mechanical inspection from a specialist.
Vintage vans often used different grease specifications. A full bearing strip, inspection, and repack with fresh grease is the starting point for any vintage van being returned to road use.
We inspect drums for scoring and cracking, test the magnets, and check whether the wiring is still fit for purpose. On older vans, the wiring can be a project in itself.
Rubber ages and loses flexibility over time. A tyre that looks fine can crack or delaminate under load. Replace any tyre over 5–7 years old, regardless of tread depth.
Many vintage caravans were fitted with mechanical override brakes. These have significant limitations — they don't activate progressively and may not engage on downhill descents until you're braking hard.
For vintage vans that will be regularly towed on modern roads, upgrading to an electric brake system is worth serious consideration. The improvement in safety is substantial. Alpine Caravan Services handles brake system conversions including electric brake controller installation.
Older caravans — particularly aluminium-clad vans from the 1970s and 1980s — were often sealed with compounds that have long since dried out and cracked. Water ingress in a vintage van that hasn't been resealed in decades is almost a given.
Before committing to a full restoration, a water ingress assessment is essential. Signs of water damage include soft spots in walls or floor, a musty smell that doesn't clear with airing, and visible staining on interior lining boards.
If you've recently acquired a vintage caravan and aren't sure of its service history, the best starting point is a full mechanical inspection. We'll work through the van systematically, report on what we find, and give you an honest picture of what it needs to be safe on the road.
At Alpine Caravan Services in Kilsyth, we love working on vintage caravans. Get in touch to discuss your project.