Owning a caravan is undoubtedly fantastic, giving you the freedom to set off on holiday, wherever you want, whenever you want. However, there’s no getting away from the fact that there are certain tasks that can require a bit more effort than others.
The good news here is that you can follow some simple tips to help to take the exertion out of your tour, so you can instead focus on relaxing at your chosen campsite, whether it’s one of the best caravan sites on the west coast of Scotland, or you’re pitching up in Devon.
That’s why I’m sharing 14 tips that will make caravanning easier, including when you’re driving to your destination and when you’re on-site.
Don’t miss our pick of the five easily overlooked accessories that could elevate any caravan tour, either.
1. Avoid constant tyre pressure checking
This can be a useful hack if you have the budget for it. Save yourself from having to constantly check your caravan tyre pressure (see: what PSI your caravan tyres should be) by fitting TyrePal’s excellent monitoring system to your tow car and caravan.
Take a look at how Nigel Hutson got on when he installed the TyrePal TC215.
2. Use a cover to keep your caravan looking its best
The prospect of cleaning a caravan is never likely to be the most enticing of tasks, but you can minimise how much you have to do each year by fitting a bespoke protective cover.
This will do exactly what it says on the tin, taking your tourer’s dimensions into account, and any other upgrades such as solar panels, ensuring your leisure vehicle is protected from damaging external factors. You could consider a brand such as Specialised Covers.
3. Buy a sat nav
The best caravan sat nav really can take the stress out of your drive to a campsite, instead making it a fun way to start a tour. Get yourself a dedicated leisure vehicle gadget from the likes of Snooper, Garmin and TomTom, and you will find they will take your caravan’s dimensions into consideration when choosing your route.
That’s not all – in some cases, they can even provide suggestions for places to stop off at on the way, ensuring you don’t miss out on any of those must-visit destinations.
4. Consider a levelling app
Levelling a caravan isn’t always the easiest of prospects, as you wrestle with a spirit-level and ramps. Something which can help is a caravan levelling app, which can come with an audible beeping function to let you know when the vehicle isn’t level.
This can save a lot of running in and out of the tourer to look at a traditional spirit-level. Download one – some are free of charge – on your smartphone.
5. Choose a fixed-bed caravan
The fixed bed or make-up bed question can divide opinion, and there are various pros and cons for both arrangements.
However, if you’re still in the process of choosing a van, or are thinking of upgrading soon, it could be worth ensuring your new tourer comes with a fixed bed. It will save you from the physical labour of having to make up the beds every evening.
Or, if you’re looking for ways to improve your current sleeping setup, don’t miss our tips on how to make a camper van bed more comfortable.
6. Think about a seasonal pitch
Consider seasonal pitching – leaving your caravan on its pitch all season long at your favourite campsite – to eliminate the need to tow, manoeuvre, pitch and level
7. Prepare your food in advance
Prepare food at home before heading off on tour – that could be pizza dough, or a full meal such as chilli con carne or a casserole.
8. Use a groundsheet or awning carpet
Save a lot of effort washing and drying your awning each year, by building it on your groundsheet or awning carpet, not the ground.
9. Touring in warm conditions
If you tour a lot in warmer climes, a Fiamma Caravanstore wind-out canopy saves a lot of effort compared to erecting a full awning. Prices from £350.
10. The perks of a trolley
Invest in a robust, lightweight trolley for fetching provisions to and from the caravan. Coleman’s Camping Wagon costs about £90.
11. Consider a towing course
Make manoeuvring easier, by learning how to do it properly with a professional trainer. Caravan Club towing courses are a worthwhile investment.
12. Enjoy easier driving with an automatic
Make driving that bit more relaxing by buying an automatic tow car.
13. Use a tent-peg puller
Removing tent pegs can be an absolute pain. Make the task much easier by employing a tent-peg puller. They cost less than £10 online.
14. Check the forecast
Save the hassle of re-erecting your awning when you get home to dry it out, by keeping an eye on the weather and taking it down a day before departure, if rain is forecast.
Are you looking for some security gadgets for your tourer? Then don’t miss what we have to say about why it’s worth fitting a caravan tracker.
Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Caravan, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances. Individuals should take appropriate safety precautions and be aware of the risk of electrocution when dealing with electrical products. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information. Double check any warranty is not affected before proceeding.
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