Campervan Brakes and Suspension: What to Check Before a Big Trip

A fully loaded motorhome can weigh three or four times as much as the family car, which means its brakes and suspension work far harder. Stopping a heavy van that's pulling its best is a different skill to stopping a hatchback, and worn components make it harder still. Before a long UK trip, give the running gear the attention it deserves.

Brakes

The most important pre-trip check:

• Pads and discs: listen for a squeal or a grinding noise, and feel for a judder through the pedal when braking from speed.
• Brake fluid: most manufacturers recommend changing it every two years regardless of mileage. Old fluid absorbs water and boils under heavy braking.
• Handbrake: on a van, the handbrake holds a lot of weight. Test it on a noticeable incline, and check it holds the van firmly with a few clicks rather than the last one.
• Brake test: a worn front pad will usually make the pedal feel spongy or the van pull to one side under braking.

Suspension

Campervan and motorhome suspensions take heavy loads over potholes, speed bumps and campsite tracks. Check the springs for damage, look at the shocks for oil leaks (a tell-tale sign of a failing damper), and have the bushes and ball joints checked for play. Rear leaf springs on heavier vans are worth a specific look — a cracked leaf is dangerous but easy to miss.

Wheel bearings and steering

Jack the front of the van up and grab the wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock. Any knock or movement means the wheel bearings are worn and need attention before you drive anywhere at speed. While you're there, check for play in the steering and look at the tyres for uneven wear, which is a classic clue that the tracking or suspension is out.

Getting a professional opinion

Brake and suspension checks are cheap compared with the failure they prevent. A garage inspection costs around £60-£100, and replacing pads and discs on a van is typically £150-£300 for parts and labour. If you have any doubt at all before a big trip, spend the money — it's a fraction of the cost of a breakdown or an accident.

Tip: a van that sits for months between trips is more likely to have seized brake calipers. If the van has been parked up, drive it and brake firmly a few times before relying on them.

Brakes and suspension are tested as part of the MOT, but the MOT is a snapshot on test day. Keeping on top of it year-round is part of the annual campervan maintenance checklist. When you're buying a van, ask when the brakes were last done — and filter listings on search for vans that have been maintained to a visible standard.