Caravanning offers more than freedom. As the ideas in this column show, part of the fun is in creative problem solving. Why not send us your suggestions?

Here's a suggestion for cleaning the caravan roof. On our 1985 Lunar Clubman 2, we remove the four screws in the transparent part of the rooflight, take it out, then use household steps to access the roof from inside the van. We wash the roof with a soft long-handled broom using the usual shampoo. It works like a dream. This also gives us a chance to check the rooflight for any damage.
Mrs P A Mason,
Wellington, Telford

Save the little packets of silica gel from shoe boxes and handbags. I put them in my fridge when it's not being used to soak up excess moisture. It helps to reduce any build-up of mould. You will need quite a few for it to be effective.
Josie Excell,
North Lopham, Norfolk

After we bought our caravan a couple of years ago, we spent the first year battling with algae in the freshwater system of our Thetford toilet. We had been using Thetford's pink bowl cleaner, but last year we decided to change to Bloo Loos and now the algae that had been blocking our system has completely gone. We divide each one into quarters and drop a quarter at a time into our freshwater system. Each quarter lasts around one week with constant use, and our toilet water is now a nice deep-blue colour instead of a washed-out pink. Better still, Bloo Loos are also a fraction of the cost of Thetford bowl cleaner and are widely available from any supermarket or discount store for as little as 40p.
Ken Featherstone,
Eston, Cleveland

With reference to your coat hanger article in the January 2008 issue, I thought I would share my method of transporting clothes with you. We have been using this system for the last ten years and found it excellent. The hangers stay on the rail and the clothes stay on the hangers. They are the same hangers used in many hotels. I found mine in a business supply shop in Belfast. Before fitting the holders I bend them slightly downwards, this stops anything slipping off. I lift off the rail and push on the holders. Replace the rail and place hangers onto clips and, hey presto, you are in business. The job takes only a few minutes.
John Sampson,
County Down

To save time when hitching up, mark your towing mirrors so you know which one was last used on the left and which on the right (I use a blob of red paint on the left one). If you're careful when reattaching them, they'll already be in the right place and you won't waste time readjusting the mirrors for the perfect view.
Donald Brown,
Letchworth, Hertfordshire

If after rubbing with emery paper you're still not getting a good contact with your 12N or 12S plugs, use a penknife to widen the gap between the pin's segments – each pin is split in four. If you slightly prise open the gap that separates each segment of the pin, it makes the pin slightly wider as a whole. (Do not use a blunter implement such as a screwdriver, as you'll risk breaking the brass pins). When you insert the plug back into the socket, you should have a good, tight contact.
Damon Huntingdon,
Ropley, Hampshire

When you're storing your caravan, avoid condensation and damp furnishings by opening your bed-box lids. This doesn't apply if you have slats. Then prop your cushions vertically so there's plenty of airflow around the bed boxes, and around the cushions. If you can take the cushions home with you, do so. It will keep them dry and act as a security measure, too: a potential thief will see that there's no upholstery inside and so the van will be less valuable to him. Finally, always remember to leave your fridge door open, too, to prevent a build-up of mould.
Sylvia Pratt,
Walthamstow

I don't know how many hours I've spent in my touring life trying to scrape, scrub, and pick squashed flies from my caravan's front window after any long-distance trip. Then I remembered the old saying ‘prevention is better than cure'. Now I cover my windows with cling film (attached with masking tape). When I get on site, I simply peel it off along with the creepy crawly road kill.
Katie Ginn,
Ipswich, Suffolk

If you're pulling away from a muddy or frozen pitch bring the clutch up carefully with the car in second gear (provided it has the ability to pull off in that gear). This will ensure that the wheels turn more slowly and are less likely to slip, so giving you more traction. This way, you will also be the site warden's best friend, as you will be less likely to dig two deep furrows in his pitch with your car's wheels.
Ewan Mackintosh,
Camelon, Falkirk

WANTED: TOURING TIPS
Do you have a great idea for getting the most out of your van? Send it to Stacie Pardoe, Practical Caravan, Broom Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 9BE or to stacie.pardoe@haymarket.com.