Holidays are more precious than ever this year, and we don’t want anything to jeopardise them – so it’s really important to carry out a number of basic checks to reduce your chances of a breakdown.

The RAC’s handy ‘FORCES’ checklist is a great place to start when it comes to helping safeguard your holiday:

F is for FUEL 

Ensure that you have enough fuel for your journey. Don’t forget that you’ll use more fuel in heavy traffic and start/stop conditions, which can often occur during holiday season.

O is for OIL 

Check your car’s oil level and top up if necessary. This will reduce the chances of overheating, which can cause engine damage and a potential breakdown.

R is for RUBBER 

Tyres can tell you a lot about how your caravan is performing. If your unit hasn’t been moved for some time the tyres may have developed flat spots and could need replacing. Check that all tyres have plenty of tread and are inflated to the correct pressure – this is vital to ensure good grip in wet conditions. Also check the rubber on your wiper blades to ensure that they’re working effectively.

C is for COOLANT 

Check the coolant level, which should be between the ‘min’ and ‘max’ lines indicated on the reservoir. If it’s not, there could be a problem and you should contact a garage.

E is for ELECTRICS 

Wipers help keep your windscreen clear of bugs, and you’ll need your lights on during any heavy downpours and hours of darkness. The electrics also control your indicators and windows, so do a quick check to ensure that there are no problems.

S is for SCREENWASH 

Make sure your windscreen washer fluid is topped up, ideally using a good-quality screenwash. This will help ensure good visibility and remove any bugs or bird muck that you might accumulate during the journey.

These simple checks are a great starting point, but there’s always the chance that something unexpected might go wrong – which is where Arrival from the RAC comes in, saving UK holidays one breakdown at a time.

Developed in partnership with The Camping and Caravanning Club, it’s the best breakdown cover in the market* for caravan owners.

That’s because Arrival offers breakdown cover specifically designed for your caravan, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. And they offer a range of benefits, over and above many standard packages.

Not only does Arrival have no restrictions on weight or size for your caravan, but they offer at home rescue as standard on all their products.

So, whether you’re on your driveway, at the roadside or on your campsite – you’ll be covered. And, when you upgrade to Arrival Advanced or Ultimate, we’ll take you, your car and your caravan to your campsite and back home again if you can’t be repaired.^

For more information and prices, visit arrivalbreakdown.co.uk or call 0333 202 3035.

*Comparison based on RAC Arrival against standard level of cover from other major providers as of 16.03.21. More information is available at arrivalbreakdown.co.uk. 

^Only available when your campsite is pre-booked for a 2-day trip or longer

The Camping and Caravanning Club Ltd is an introducer appointed representative of RAC Financial Services. Breakdown cover arranged and administered by RAC Financial Services Limited (Registered No 05171817) and provided by RAC Motoring Services (Registered No 01424399) and/or RAC Insurance Ltd (Registered No 2355834). Registered in England and Wales; Registered Offices: RAC House, Brockhurst Crescent, Walsall WS5 4AW. RAC Motoring Services and RAC Financial Services Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. RAC Insurance Ltd is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.