Keeping the Wheels Rolling: The Pre-Service Sleepover

Our Renault Master, the Unsung Hero

This post is all about preparing for a van service, a timing belt and water pump change, and getting ready for a Scotland trip in August.

It’s van servicing time again, and this time, we’re giving the old girl a bit more TLC than usual. Our 2006 Renault Master 120 dCi, with its Luna Premier coach build, has been a reliable workhorse. Luna might have shut up shop back in 2008, but this van is still going strong at nearly 76,000 miles. It’s a bit of a rare breed, and what I love most is how it eats up the Glenshane Pass without breaking a sweat. If you know, you know. I’ve had motorhomes in the past that barely crawled up that hill, but this one just keeps on trucking.

We’ve learned over the years that sticking to regular van servicing is key. We’ve had a van die on us before because of a lack of attention to servicing, so this time, it’s a full service. I’d rather avoid the heartbreak of sourcing a new engine when it can all be avoided with a bit of preventative maintenance.

A Quick Park-Up, Just Down the Road

Now, you’d think with a van service booked in for tomorrow, we’d have parked it up and left it be, right? Not in this household. Kathy had other ideas. Last night, we parked just a few minutes down the road from home, on a quiet little dog-walking trail we used to visit from our old house. The spot’s not exactly flat, but it’s good enough for a night’s sleep. And tonight? Same plan. Just a random little sleepover in the van, because, as Kathy reminded me, spontaneity is part of the adventure.

I’ll admit, I gave her a sideways look when she suggested it, thinking a beach or a forest car park would have been more fitting. But that’s why I love her. She’s always up for something random, and I can’t argue with the logic: if you’ve got the van, why not use it, even if it’s only down the street?

Prepping for Service Day

Before we hand it over, there are the usual routines. The fridge has to be emptied, and all the electrics powered down. That means the CCTV goes offline, although the solar-powered cameras stay on. The internet cuts off too, since it runs off the 12V system, but that’s no big deal. I’ve got tracking devices hidden away in all sorts of places, so I’ll sleep soundly knowing the van is safe.

Our mechanic, Alex, is a bit of a legend. I first heard about him from another T4 owner years ago while queuing for fuel. Turns out, Alex is the go-to guy for high-top vans. He’s got the roof space and the gear to lift them properly, and he’s been sorting my vehicles ever since. He’s methodical to a fault, which means you’ve got to book him well in advance. I trust him completely, though. He did the car last month, and now it’s the van’s turn. We’re getting a full service, plus the timing belt and water pump sorted. I’ve had a car ruined by a snapped timing belt before, and I’m not keen on that happening to the van, especially with a Scotland road trip coming up.

Scotland, Here We Come

This service isn’t just a tick-box exercise. It’s prep for a big Scotland road trip in August, when we’ll be heading off on a motorhome convoy. It’ll be us, Toni and Colum, and Jean and Martin, all lined up in our vans like a rolling train. Toni’s turning 50, so we’re using it as an excuse to escape, make some memories, and probably get lost a few times along the way.

We did a similar trip when I turned 50 in the old VW T4. That was a cracking adventure, and we even got some YouTube videos out of it. I’ll stick a few links in once I dig them out, in case you fancy a watch and a laugh.

Of course, the dogs are coming too. Lucky and Milo will be chasing tails with Toni and Jean’s dogs, probably sniffing out every blade of grass from here to the Highlands. It’s going to be a dog egg hunting championship, no doubt.

Back to the Grind

Once the van’s dropped off tomorrow, it’s back to the usual routine. Kathy will follow in the car, and we’ll head home to our makeshift home offices. No weekend away this time, but we’ve got Reuben, our grandson, to keep us busy while his mum works her 12-hour shifts. So, it’s not exactly quiet around here, even when the van’s off the road.

Your Must-Have Van Gear

• 🏕️ Jackery 1000 Power Station – Keeps us powered up on the road

• 🧰 Tool Kit Essentials – A must for any van owner

• 🛏️ Comfy Bedding for the Van – Sleep like a baby, even in a layby

• 🐾 Dog Seatbelts – For those tail-wagging passengers

• 🚿 Compact Outdoor Shower – Because muddy dogs and sandy toes happen