SOEL Outdoors & Automotive: It's Who We Trust to Maintain Our Vans
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Owning a campervan is a great way to explore New Zealand, but keeping your vehicle in good condition takes more than just changing the oil and checking the tyres.
A campervan is both a vehicle and a home on wheels. Alongside the mechanical components that keep you safely moving down the road, there are electrical systems, water tanks and pumps, gas appliances, heating, fridges, seals, roof vents and plenty of other things that need regular attention and finding a workshop that understands both sides of the equation can make a big difference.
That's why we use SOEL Outdoors & Automotive to service and repair our campervans.
Based in Rolleston, just outside of Christchurch, SOEL is a family-run business specialising in vehicle servicing, caravan and motorhome repairs, habitation checks, WoFs, electrical and gas systems, upgrades and general RV maintenance.
Why campervan servicing is different
It's easy to think of campervan servicing as simply servicing the engine and mechanical components. And, of course, that is an important part of keeping your vehicle safe and reliable.
But there is a lot more going on in a modern motorhome or campervan. Depending on the vehicle, you might have:
12V electrical systems and batteries
240V power systems
Solar panels and charging systems
Fresh and waste-water tanks
Water pumps and plumbing
LPG gas systems
Fridges and cooking appliances
Hot-water systems
Diesel or gas heating
Toilets and other bathroom systems
Roof vents and skylights
Awnings and exterior fittings
Seals around windows, doors and roof components
A problem with any of these systems can turn into a major headache if it isn't identified early. That's why a proper campervan service needs to look beyond the engine bay.
Why we choose SOEL for our campervan servicing
We use SOEL to service and repair our campervans, so our recommendation isn't based simply on finding a business online and reading its service list.
We've dealt with the team ourselves and have seen the standard of work they provide.
One of the things we particularly like about SOEL is being campervan and caravan owners themselves, they understand things from the owner's perspective. They're not simply a general automotive workshop that happens to work on RVs.
The team includes Michael, the Workshop Manager, who has more than 22 years' experience as a qualified mechanic, and Tim, the Lead Caravan Technician, who specialises in caravan and motorhome repairs, servicing and upgrades.
That combination of mechanical experience and specialist RV knowledge is exactly what we look for when trusting someone with our campervans.
A family-run business
SOEL is owned and operated by Kimberley and Nathan, who built the business around their own passion for the outdoors. The business started in December 2024 with a caravan hire operation before developing into a full service centre. Today, the Rolleston workshop provides everything from routine vehicle servicing and WoFs through to specialist caravan and motorhome repairs, habitation checks, insurance repairs and upgrades.
SOEL's family-run approach is part of what makes them different. You're dealing with a small, specialist team rather than a large automotive chain.
The team behind SOEL: Nathan & Kimberley (Owners), Michael (Workshop Manager) & Tim (Technician)
More than just repairs
Another reason SOEL is useful for campervan owners is that they don't just deal with problems once something has gone wrong. They also offer upgrades and installations, including things such as solar and off-grid systems, diesel heaters, water tanks and reversing cameras.
That makes them useful if you're looking to improve your campervan as well as maintain it.
For example, if you're planning longer periods off-grid around the South Island, upgrading your solar and battery setup or installing a diesel heater can make a significant difference to how comfortable your travels are.
What does a campervan service include?
SOEL offers specialist servicing for caravans, campervans and motorhomes, covering both the mechanical side of the vehicle and the habitation systems that make it a home on wheels. Their RV servicing covers a wide range of areas.
Mechanical servicing
The mechanical side of a motorhome still needs the same attention as any other vehicle.
SOEL provides mechanical servicing and repairs, including checks of components such as brakes, suspension, tyres and other running gear.
Habitation checks
This is where specialist RV knowledge is particularly valuable. A habitation check looks at the systems inside the living area of the campervan, including water ingress, ventilation, gas, electrical systems, appliances, fixtures and safety equipment.
Water ingress and leak testing
One of the most important issues to catch early in any campervan is water ingress. SOEL can carry out pressure testing to help identify failed seals around windows, roof vents, joins and other exterior areas. They also inspect the water system and check for damp in areas such as walls, floors and the roof.
If you have an older campervan, or one that spends a lot of time outside, this sort of preventative inspection can be particularly worthwhile.
Gas systems
Gas is another area where proper inspection is important. SOEL checks LPG regulators, hoses, fittings and appliance connections, including leak testing and safety certification where required.
12V and 240V electrical systems
Modern campervans can have surprisingly sophisticated electrical systems.
SOEL's servicing includes checks of batteries, wiring, fuse boards, lighting, chargers and inverters, as well as shore-power connections and 240V systems.
This is particularly useful if you're experiencing problems with batteries not charging, lights cutting out, appliances not working or your off-grid electrical system not performing as expected.
Appliances and general maintenance
Servicing also extends to things that are easy to overlook. Fridges, cookers, hot-water systems, heating and toilets can all be checked, while general maintenance can include lubricating hinges, locks and slide-outs and tightening fixings and furniture (nobody likes a rattly campervan)
It's the sort of preventative maintenance that can save you from discovering a problem halfway through a South Island road trip.
When should you service your campervan?
As a general rule, regular servicing is much better than waiting for something to break. The team at SOEL recommends annual servicing, with most manufacturers also recommending a habitation check every 12 months. Regular inspections can help identify problems early, protect your investment and reduce the likelihood of unpleasant surprises while travelling.
It's particularly worth arranging a service if you've just bought a used campervan or you're planning a long road trip.
SOEL Outdoors & Automotive: our recommendation
There are plenty of mechanics around Christchurch and Canterbury, but finding someone who understands the mechanical, electrical and habitation sides of a campervan isn't always easy. That's why SOEL has become our go-to workshop for our own campervans.
If you're based in Christchurch, Rolleston, Selwyn or elsewhere in Canterbury, or you're passing through on a South Island road trip, and need campervan servicing, repairs, maintenance or upgrades, SOEL Outdoors & Automotive is well worth considering.
Visit the SOEL Outdoors & Automotive website, contact the team on +64 (03) 6675820 or visit them at 843 Jones Road, Rolleston.
