With Spring in full swing and Summer just around the corner, many of you will be thinking about taking a trip in your caravan, motorhome or campervan. What could be better than a staycation with your temporary home in tow? To enable you to have the perfect trip we have put together some caravanning tips and links to the caravan accessories you might need to stock up on ahead of your adventure.
Plan ahead
Whether you are travelling near or far, it always pays to be prepared. Check out the route you’ll be driving beforehand so you know what to expect. It is also advisable to use a caravan sat nav, as these are programmed with more detailed information than standard sat navs and will enable you to avoid those narrow roads and low bridges that could otherwise cause your leisure vehicle to become stuck.
If your journey will be a long one make sure you’ve got everything you need to keep all the occupants of your vehicle comfortable, such as snacks, entertainment and water for pets. It’s important to take regular breaks, every couple of hours, to rest, refresh and switch drivers where necessary. Remember, if you stop at the services en route, this is a prime location for opportunist thieves, so keep your valuables out of sight and your vehicle locked. It’s a good idea to use your hitch lock when you stop, to prevent anyone from stealing your caravan whilst you’re on a rest break.
Check your vehicle over
Before you set off on your trip, it’s a good idea to check your vehicle over. You’ll probably have done this more thoroughly in the days or weeks before, but it doesn’t hurt to have a quick final check before you set off as it’s much easier and safer to rectify an issue whilst you're still sitting on the drive than once you’re on the go. Your final checks might include:
- Fastening all loads securely
- Locking windows and roof vents
- Raising and secure steadies and jockey wheel
- Ensuring correct attachment of breakaway and secondary cables for added security
Need towing spares? Check out our full range of caravan accessories for towing here.
Read campsite reviews
If you’re trying out a new campsite, or if you’re new to caravanning or motorhoming then it’s definitely a good idea to read up on campsite reviews before you go and preferably before you book. There are plenty of helpful forums online if you search for reviews and you’ll probably be grateful for the insights of other leisure vehicle holidaymakers, especially when it comes to explaining the location and facilities available.
Check the weather forecast
It might not always be accurate, but checking the weather forecast ahead of your trip will help you pack all the essentials and avoid overloading your leisure vehicle. It can also help you to avoid travelling in high winds and extreme weather conditions which are not suitable for caravans.
Stock up on caravan accessories
Whilst it is not always possible to plan for every eventuality, or to have space to carry lots of spare equipment, it is still a good idea to have a few caravan accessories with you in case of an emergency, or at least know where to order them - here at Caravan Crazy of course!
Some of the popular items you might need to keep your leisure vehicle fully operational include:
- Water and waste accessories
- Cleaning and caravan care
- Toilet chemicals
- Toilet paper
- Electrical spares
Don’t forget we are also the UK’s largest supplier of genuine caravan and motorhome windows, so whatever spares you need, bookmark our website address so you can get everything you need to keep your next trip on track.