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Top Tips for Caravan Holidays
The holidays are special times of the year to get away from your daily grind.
13:34 27 October 2020
Several options are available to us and caravanning is a favorite for families. However, as good the idea may look, it can be very complicated trying to prepare everyone for the big travel. You are probably wondering how to prepare your caravan for a good holiday. We will bring you some practical solutions in the form of tips and advice for your next family getaway.
How to choose and prepare your caravan
A caravan is a passenger vehicle with a specially fitted-out living section or living quarters which are towed by a car. The towed section is used for dwelling after arriving at your holiday destination.
Whether you're considering buying or choosing the vehicle from a rental company, the choice of your caravan should be based on several criteria. The size, design, price (or rental fee), handling, and brand of the caravan should be put into consideration.
To ensure the caravan is in top condition, it is essential to make a technical check or visit, for safety, competence, and compatibility reasons. Check out this full caravan buying guide from caravansforsale.co.uk for the extensive list. Some of these checks mainly consist of:
- Checking the vehicle tires
This check should include wheel tightening, tire condition and inflation (including the spare wheel), lubrication of cylinders, and bolts. The tires of the caravan hardly wear out, but they should be changed after a few years.
- Clean and disinfect your water system
Caravans aren't used every day like our cars. Just like the same thing you need to do after returning to a home abandoned for several months, you need to carry out some internal maintenance. Sterilizing the water system in your motorhome or caravan is very important before embarking on the journey. This includes clearing out and cleaning the pipe system in the caravan. Check the watertightness and airtightness of the plumbing structure, the doors, skylights, and bay windows. If any leaks appear during cleaning, they should be repaired using a silicone sealant.
If you're new to the whole cleaning and disinfection procedure, watch the YouTube video below: https://youtu.be/EoWkr2DdY1I
- Have the vehicle checked
Check the oil level, the gearbox, the brake fluid, the axle, the power steering, the washer fluid, the wiper blades, and the brake pads. The handbrake, headlights, turn signals and locks should also be inspected. We strongly advise you to have a toolbox containing basic instruments to deal with possible minor incidents.
Some tips for preparing your caravan
We've seen some tips for preparing the vehicle for the journey. Here, we will see the required procedures to carry out in the "van" or "home" section. This preparation is all about the home equipment on board. It includes:
- Checking the closure of the gas bottle, cupboards, refrigerator, and interior doors, and connecting the refrigerator to the battery.
- Testing all electrical connections in the vehicle. Keep the names and information of bulbs, tubes, and fuses to replace them as needed. Check the extinguisher and bring at least one spare tire.
Tips for hitching up the caravan
Check the engagement of the coupling head and its locking. Degrease the ball coupling with a solvent. Lock the stabilizer and check that all your lights are working properly.
Remove, change, or maintain the jockey wheel as deemed necessary. Read the maintenance booklet to find out the maximum weight that can be supported by the towing vehicle ball.
Prepare the interior of your caravan
A caravan is a small space compared to a house. Therefore, it must be arranged smartly. To do this, all the elements present inside the caravan must have dual use, if possible. For example, instead of having sofas and beds on board, why not try out sofa beds instead. During the day, they can serve as a sofa set and at night or for afternoon naps, they can be converted to a comfortable bed.
Also, opt for an efficient layout that leaves you as much room as possible to move around.
Use materials that are easy to clean. The small spaces around make movements difficult and complicate the cleaning work.
Preparing for a caravan holiday requires a careful plan. The choice of the caravan should be considered based on the number of travelers, your budget, and your taste (talking of types). You have to ensure electrical and mechanical parts or installations are in the right condition. While comfort is a priority, minimalism is required so you can manage the limited spaces.