Picking Up a New Caravan? The Complete Guide to Pre-Delivery Inspections, Handover Checklists, and Insurance

Why You Need a Pre-Delivery Inspection

Buying a new caravan is exciting — but even brand-new vans can leave the factory with issues. Water leaks, loose fittings, electrical faults, and plumbing that was never properly connected are all common complaints from new caravan owners across Australia.

A pre-delivery inspection (PDI) is your chance to catch these problems before you drive away. The dealer will do their own PDI, but an independent inspection by someone who does not work for the dealer gives you an unbiased assessment of what you are actually getting.

Think of it like a building inspection on a new house. The builder says it is fine. An independent inspector often finds things the builder missed or glossed over.

What an Independent Inspector Checks

A thorough independent caravan inspection typically covers:

You will receive a written report detailing any issues found, which gives you leverage to have the dealer fix problems before you accept delivery.

Independent Inspection Companies in Western Australia

If you are picking up a caravan in WA, here are your main options for independent inspections:

Perth Mobile Caravan Service

• Location: Mobile — they come to you (dealership, storage, your home)
• What they offer: Full comprehensive caravan inspection with detailed written report
• Experience: Over 15 years in the industry
• Why them: Truly independent — not tied to any dealer. They provide an unbiased assessment and come to wherever the van is located
• Website: perthmobilecaravanservice.com

RedBook Inspect

• Location: Mobile — covers Greater Perth, Fremantle, Joondalup, Mandurah and regional WA
• What they offer: Caravan and RV pre-purchase inspections from $270
• Experience: Operating nationally since 2007
• Why them: Well-known national brand with consistent inspection standards. Their inspectors are qualified mechanics who specialise in RV assessments
• Website: redbookinspect.com.au

AVS Mechanical

• Location: Perth (workshop-based, Authorised Inspection Station)
• What they offer: Caravan roadworthiness inspections including towing equipment, hitch, jockey wheel, and bearings
• Website: avsmechanical.com.au

The Caravan Shed

• Location: Perth workshop
• What they offer: Repair, inspection, and safety checks
• Website: thecaravanshed.com.au

RV Solutions WA

• Location: Perth — WA's largest caravan repair workshop
• What they offer: Full servicing and inspections covering bearings, brakes, suspension, electrics, and more
• Website: rvsolutionswa.com.au

Caravan & Camper Servicing WA

• Location: Kewdale, Perth
• What they offer: Registered Motor Vehicle Repairer offering 12-point safety checks and detailed reports
• Website: caravancamperservicingwa.com.au

Our recommendation: For a truly independent pre-delivery inspection, Perth Mobile Caravan Service or RedBook Inspect are your best options. Both are mobile (they come to the dealership), independent of any dealer, and provide detailed written reports.

Your Handover Day Checklist

When you arrive to collect your new caravan, do not rush. A proper handover should take at least two hours. Bring a printed checklist and tick off every item. Anything you miss on the day may be harder to claim under warranty later.

Before You Arrive

• Check your tow vehicle is ready — electric brake controller installed, correct trailer plug fitted and tested, towing mirrors ready
• Print your order sheet — list of all extras and accessories you ordered, so you can verify everything has been installed
• Bring a full tank of fuel — you will want to go straight to a weighbridge after pickup
• Have your insurance sorted — your caravan needs to be insured before you drive it off the lot (more on this below)

At the Dealership

Exterior Walk-Around

• Check every panel for scratches, dents, and paint imperfections
• Inspect all window and door seals — press them and look for gaps
• Check underneath the van — look at the chassis, wiring, plumbing connections, and tank mounts
• Inspect the roof for cracks, poorly sealed joints, or antenna/AC unit mounting issues
• Check the awning deploys and retracts smoothly

Coupling and Towing Gear

• Inspect the tow hitch, safety chains, and breakaway cable
• Test the handbrake — it should hold firmly
• Check the jockey wheel operates smoothly
• Verify all wheel nuts are torqued to specification

Electrics

• Test every 240V power point inside the van
• Test every 12V outlet and USB charger
• Check all interior and exterior lights work
• Verify the solar panel is connected and showing charge on the monitor
• Locate the fuse box and understand what each fuse controls
• Test the battery monitor and electrical management system

Gas

• Check gas bottle connections are tight and not leaking (the dealer should do a gas pressure test)
• Test every gas appliance — cooktop burners, oven, grill, and hot water system
• Verify the gas compliance certificate is provided

Plumbing

• Run every tap — hot and cold, kitchen and bathroom
• Flush the toilet and check it fills correctly
• Run the shower and check water pressure and drainage
• Check under every sink for leaks at connections
• Verify the water pump primes and runs properly
• Check the water tank fills and the gauge reads correctly

Fridge — Test All Three Power Sources

• Test on 240V mains power
• Test on 12V battery
• Test on gas
• This is critical — some owners have discovered disconnected plugs or faulty gas connections that were not caught because the dealer only tested one power source

Interior

• Open every cupboard and drawer — check hinges, catches, and screws
• Push on overhead cupboard doors to check they are secured
• Check all windows open, close, and lock properly
• Test the TV, antenna, and any entertainment systems
• Sit on all seating and lie on the bed — check for obvious defects

Before You Drive Away

Test the Electric Brakes

1. Hook up to your tow vehicle
2. Apply the trailer brakes fully using the manual override on your brake controller
3. Gently try to drive forward — the vehicle should resist strongly
4. Release the brakes and try again — it should roll freely with no resistance
5. Do NOT skip this step. If the brakes are not working, you need to know now, not on the highway

Request a Test Tow Ask the dealership to do a supervised test tow around the block. They should walk you through the complete hook-up procedure, demonstrate how to adjust brake gain, and let you experience towing the van at low speed before you head home.

Get It Weighed Drive straight to a weighbridge and weigh the van as-delivered. Compare the actual tare weight to the compliance plate. This is your baseline for all future weight calculations. Some owners have found their van weighs significantly more than the plate states once all the factory options and dealer-installed accessories are added.

Document Everything

• Take photos and videos of any issues you find
• Have the dealer rep write down every defect or concern on the handover paperwork
• Keep all receipts, warranty documents, and the compliance certificate in a safe place
• Note the date and odometer reading for warranty records

Choosing Caravan Insurance

Your caravan should be insured before you collect it. Here is a comparison of the main providers in Australia:

Specialist Caravan Insurers

Major Insurers with Caravan Products

Jayco-Specific Option

Jayco Platinum Insurance is worth considering if you are buying a Jayco. It is brand-aligned coverage that uses genuine Jayco parts for repairs and covers Jayco-specific features like pop-top and slide-out systems. With Jayco holding around 45% of the Australian caravan market, this is a well-established option.

What Type of Cover Do You Need?

For a new caravan, comprehensive insurance is strongly recommended. If your caravan detaches while towing and hits another vehicle, property damage alone can exceed $120,000. In high-traffic holiday areas, multi-vehicle accidents can top $300,000.

Average Costs

The average caravan insurance premium in Australia sits around $620–$650 per year (2026 estimates). Higher-value caravans ($120,000+) typically pay $1,200 or more annually. Premiums have been increasing 5–8% per year.

Tips for Getting the Best Price

• Compare at least three quotes — use comparison sites like Finder or Canstar
• Ask about lay-up discounts — if your van sits in storage for part of the year, some insurers reduce premiums by 30–45% during that period
• Bundle policies — insuring your car and caravan with the same provider can save 5–12%
• Check excess amounts — a lower premium sometimes means a higher excess. Make sure you can afford the excess if you need to claim
• Read the PDS — check what is specifically excluded (some policies exclude damage from unsealed roads, which is a problem if you plan to travel outback Australia)

Common Issues to Watch for on New Jayco Caravans

Since the Facebook question specifically mentioned a Jayco Discovery, here are the most commonly reported issues from Jayco owners that you should be aware of:

Water Leaks

The number one complaint across all Jayco models. Check around windows, bump-outs, and the roof line. Look under mattresses and behind microwaves for signs of moisture. Some owners have found sink connections leaking on top of internal cabinets where they are invisible until damage is done.

12V Electrical System

Some Jayco Discovery models come with basic chargers (like the Setec III) that only provide a maintenance-level charge — around 800mA. If you plan to free camp, you may need to upgrade to a 30A smart charger relatively early.

Cupboard and Fitting Screws

A very common issue across new Jaycos is loose screws in overhead cupboards and fittings. Open every cupboard on handover day and give them a firm push.

Air Conditioner Housing

Some owners have reported rust on AC unit housings within the first few years. Take the side cover off during your inspection and check for any signs of corrosion.

Fridge Connections

Test the fridge on all three power sources (240V, 12V, and gas). There have been reports of disconnected plugs or faulty gas valves that go unnoticed because the dealer only tested one source.

The key takeaway: A new caravan is like a new house — expect some teething problems. Document everything, get your first service done at the 500–1,000 km mark, and address issues early while they are clearly under warranty.

First Steps After You Get Home

Once you have your new caravan home safely, here is what to do in the first week:

1. Read the manuals — especially for the fridge, hot water system, and electrical management system
2. Set up camp in your driveway — deploy the awning, connect to power, fill the water tank, and test everything in a low-pressure environment
3. Do a practice hook-up and unhook — repeat the process several times until it becomes routine
4. Plan a short first trip — somewhere close to home, ideally with powered sites, so you can troubleshoot any issues without being hundreds of kilometres from your dealer
5. Weigh your van loaded — once you have packed it with your gear, weigh it again to understand your payload situation

KamperHub helps new caravan owners manage their vehicle specs, track weights, plan trips, and stay compliant on the road. [Start your free trial today](https://app.kamperhub.com).

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KamperHub Team

Helping travellers tow safely and confidently. KamperHub provides tools for trip planning, weight compliance, and adventure management.