Tips for first time caravanners
Seasoned caravaners have likely accrued a wealth of knowledge over the years and have a number of tips and tricks to keep their holiday on track. However, if you’re new to owning a caravan or motorhome, you may not be sure of the best practices or advice.
To help you make the most of your trip, we’ve compiled some of the best caravanning tips and tricks, all in one place.
Know the law
Before you set off, you’ll need to make sure that your car is suitable for towing and that your set-up follows the regulations for towing. This includes things like having the right number plates, a working breakaway cable, and suitable mirrors.
You also need to make sure that you’re following legal safety precautions like having the right tyre pressure and not exceeding the maximum weight for your caravan. You can read more about the rules and regulations for towing in our article here.
Load your caravan safely
Not loading a caravan or motorhome properly can make them difficult to tow or drive, leading to handling issues, lower fuel economy, and instability. Making sure that you pack sensibly and carefully can make your journey both safer and more pleasant.
Generally, you’ll want to pack heavy items low down, and in the centre of your van, working outwards and upwards for lighter items. Packing in this way means that the heaviest weights sit as close to the axle as possible, and the overall weight is distributed evenly. Leaving heavy items high up risks them falling as you drive, and having significant weight at either end of the van can cause instability.
You can read in more detail about how to load your caravan or motorhome safely in our article here.
Use a checklist
Even the most experienced caravanners can forget things if they’re in a rush to leave. So, to save yourself the hassle of not having an important piece of equipment, compile a checklist of essentials to tick off as you’re packing.
If you’re not sure what to put on there, we can help. We’ve created a downloaded checklist of everything you’ll need to remember, and you can find it here.
Invest in security
Caravans and motorhomes are a big investment, and one you’ll be keen to keep safe, especially if you’ve only just bought one. So, taking the time to find multiple, high quality locking systems is our next tip.
We recommend using more than one lock, and more than one type, to both improve your security and to act as a visual deterrent – opportunistic thieves are likely to choose a different target if they deem your van too troublesome to take.
Try combining a hitch lock and a wheel clamp to prevent thieves from both hitching your caravan and moving the wheels.
Practice your towing and hitching
If you’ve never towed a caravan before, then we strongly recommend practicing before you set off on your first holiday. Head to a quiet road and get used to the handling and feel of towing so that it doesn’t come as a surprise when you head off for your trip – especially if you’re driving a long way or on the motorway. You can even sign up for caravan towing courses if you want to learn from more experienced drivers.
You’ll also want to practice hitching and unhitching your van before you leave, to make sure you’re comfortable with how to do it. For a helping hand, read our guide to hitching and unhitching here.
Choose the right pitch
There are a lot of factors to consider when you’re choosing a pitch type. Usually, you can choose between a standard pitch, a pitch with room for an awning, or a serviced pitch. The latter pitch is perhaps the easiest to get the hang of, and it’s the one we’d recommend for first timers.
It includes your own fresh water supply, an electricity point, and a drainage point for ‘grey water’ – that’s the wastewater from sinks, baths, washing machines, and other appliances. A serviced pitch means less work carrying fresh water back and forth to your pitch and a generally easier experience, so it may be a good choice the first few times while you get into the swing of things.
You’ll also want to consider the physical location of your pitch – think about its proximity to the on-site facilities, parking, the views, and the lay of the land. All of these things will factor into your decision.
Invest in a motor mover
Now considered a necessity for many caravanners, a motor mover is a handy tool that takes the hard work out of positioning your caravan onto your pitch.
This motorised device, powered by your leisure battery, uses rollers that engage with your caravan’s tyres to move them, all controlled by a remote. That means that you can position your van and move it into your pitch electronically. It’ll save you from having to perform the manoeuvre in your car, make it easier to see what’s happening, and lessen the chance of an accident.