60 top touring tips Expert advice for newbies and veterans!
John Sootheran has some brilliantly handy hints for all caravanners – both new and experienced
COMING TO CARAVANNING as a newbie involves a pretty steep learning curve.
On each trip, you’ll almost certainly learn something new: things that should help to make your touring lifestyle that bit easier and more enjoyable.
But even experienced caravanners can benefit from useful hints and tips; so here are ours, covering everything from buying a caravan, to towing and setting up on site, and safe storage. And looking ahead to better times, we’ve included touring abroad! n At certain times of the year, there are some great deals on caravans, because many dealerships (A) will be aiming to sell off their remaining stock, ahead of the next season’s new arrivals on the forecourts.
If you are prepared to buy a 2020-model caravan in 2021, you could save huge sums, possibly up to £ 4000 or more. However, having said that, do bear in mind that the pandemic’s dramatic effect on caravan production, and increased sales, means this might not be the case for now.
n Dealer special caravans are new models with specifications created by a dealership, exclusively for them to sell. Often, they come with a host of extras, to a value far in excess of the higher price you’ll pay. Choose your model carefully and you can grab a bargain. Just make sure those extras do add to the caravan’s value.
n Dual-fuel hobs (which usually provide three gas burners and an electric hotplate) are a great option, because they offer you the ability to carry on cooking if you run out of gas or trip the electric hook-up.
n As with all financial transactions, if a deal looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is. There are dozens of scam ads online, where a caravan with a value of, say, £20,000+ is available for £6000.
The ‘ vendor’ often weaves a convoluted but plausible tale about the caravan being abroad, and you can generally only contact them via email. Avoid! n If you are buying privately, ideally you should buy from the seller’s home. Carry out a CRIS check (the national register for Uk-manufactured tourers, which can be found at cris.co.uk) to vet the caravan’s background, and get an approved technician to give it a once-over (especially if you are spending a significant sum).
n Negotiate hard (B) when buying your caravan. You might be able to reduce the price of your purchase, get more money for your trade-in, or even bag a few useful caravanning freebies.
n Buying at one of the NEC caravan shows (C) can often achieve the best deal, with valuable items such as motor movers being offered as show-time sweeteners.
n When buying a new caravan, consider spending the first night at a site close to the dealership, while you check that everything works as it should. This way, any minor glitches that crop up can be easily rectified.
Many dealers have special arrangements with local sites, while some – Lowdhams for instance – operate a small campsite at the dealership itself.
‘ Dealer special caravans are new models with specifications created by the dealership, exclusively for them to sell. Often, they come with a host of extras’
n Some caravanners like lots of gadgets and accessories, but think about the weight of those extras. For example, a motor mover can weigh 30kg, an air-con unit 25kg, auto-levelling 20kg, and a roofmounted satellite dish 15kg. Add them up and that could be a huge chunk out of your payload (which is often around 150kg).
And that’s before you think about packing your clothing and food supplies.
n If you make heavy use of the gas supply, for example by regularly going off-grid, you might consider a self-fill gas system, such as Safefill (safefill. co.uk) – its refills can cost around 60p per litre, compared with up to £2 per litre from some of the gas bottle rental firms.
n Caravans with the washroom located in the middle, creating an en-suite feel to the rear of the van, often feature a longitudinal bed sandwiched between the back wall and the washroom bulkhead wall. This popular layout looks great, but owing to the resulting space restrictions, most of the rear beds are only going to be a maximum of 5ft 10in long – bear this in mind if you’re on the tall side.
PAPERWORK
n Heading away in the van for more than 30 consecutive days? Remember to let your home insurance company know.
n Some insurers insist that you keep a fire extinguisher in your tourer. Does yours? Failure to provide one could invalidate your cover in the event of a fire. n Photograph all of your important van, vehicle and travel documents (D), and store the images on your phone and in the cloud as back-up.
n Consider buying one of the caravan clubs’ excellent breakdown and recovery packages – they will repatriate your van and tow vehicle, and where possible, help you to continue your holiday.
www.campingandcaravanning club.co.uk (RAC)
camc.com (Mayday/red Pennant) n Some new caravans have strict time limits applied to their servicing schedules, and missing a service by just a few days could jeopardise your warranty. n When touring long distance, consider leaving a day or two ‘spare’ at the end of your trip, and keep an eye on the weather. If it looks poor, particularly if there are high winds, this should allow you to avoid towing in it.
n Use Google Maps and Street View (E) to check your proposed campsite and its access roads, especially if you tow a large van.
n If you’re heading into the wilds, carry a back-up submersible pump for your Aquaroll, and a spare gas regulator.
n Consider a caravan-specific sat nav, in which you add the dimensions of your outfit. The sat nav will then help you avoid towing on unsuitable routes.
n Use your phone and a navigation app such as Waze instead of sat nav – it has a free version and is worldwide. You can even have directions delivered by Boy George!
‘ Some caravanners like lots of gadgets and accessories, but think about the weight of those extras. That could be a huge chunk out of your payload’
TOWING TIPS
n The Camping and Caravanning Club (campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk) and the Caravan and Motorhome Club (camc.com) run towing and caravanning courses (F), and they’re an excellent way of getting to grips with what you need to know. For £100-£150, you can get the best basic training in caravan world, arming you with all of the essential information and techniques you need to tow and tour with confidence.
n Always aim to reverse your caravan to the right, to give yourself the best view of proceedings through the driver’s side window.
n Download a levelling app on your phone, to use instead of a spirit level. Some have a beep to let you know when the van is level, so you don’t have to run back and forth if you’re levelling alone.
n Reversing a caravan can seem tricky, but here’s one simple rule to apply to all eventualities. With your caravan aligned with the tow car, begin reversing. Do this slowly, watching carefully in each wing mirror for a few seconds in turn.
As soon as one side of the caravan starts to fill the mirror (that is, the van is turning that way), pull down gently on the steering wheel at that side. You will immediately see the van begin to correct itself.
If the van gets out of line, pull forward a few metres to align the outfit and go again.
n If you’ve pulled over on the side of the road, but the rear of your van sticks out into the carriageway, apply full right-hand lock and carefully pull forward a metre or so, then quickly apply full left-hand lock, and return the car to the correct kerbside position. Your van will be neatly aligned. This useful tactic was learnt on a Camping and Caravanning Club towing course. n A roofbox is a great way to transfer some of the weight out of the caravan and onto the tow car, helping you to comply with the 85% safety guidance.
They are available from many outdoor gear suppliers, including Thule (thule.com) and Halfords ( halfords.com). Once at your destination, they’re great for transporting wet and sandy swimming gear, towels, inflatables, bodyboards and so on.
n Always carry a selection of spare fuses in your caravan, because blown fuses are very common. Uk-spec fuses are not easy to obtain abroad or in rural Britain.
n Take some of the legwork out of caravan breaks by booking a fully serviced pitch, and invest in a Truma Ultraflow (truma.com) or Whale Aquasource (whalepumps.com), which pipe water straight from the pitch tap into your tourer. No more filling a water carrier twice a day. They cost around £70.
n Always pack a jack for your car and caravan, and always jack the van on its axle, not a chassis member. Keep the caravan hitched up to the car, and chock the opposite caravan wheel. Finally, never consider raising the caravan using its corner steadies.
n It’s wise to carry a basic toolkit. Essentials are screwdrivers (flat and Phillips), pliers, Stanley knife and an adjustable spanner.
It can also be handy to pack a range of spanners and/or a socket set, a file and a junior hacksaw. Gaffer tape and WD-40 will also often come in useful.
‘Download a levelling app on your phone. Some have a beep to let you know when the van is level, so you don’t have to run back and forth if you’re levelling alone’
AT THE CAMPSITE
n If your 12V electrics start playing up (G), it’s always worth checking that your battery terminals are fitted tightly. Loose terminals have all sorts of strange effects.
n Calculate which appliances you can use on your electric hook-up before you trip the post. Here’s how:
Watts (W) = Volts (V) x Amps (A)
The voltage is 230V, so if, for example, a small grill is 2000W, it will require 8.7A of current (2000/230). Meanwhile, a 30in domestic TV at 60W draws only about 0.25A.
Typically, UK campsites have a 16A feed, which will give you a total of 3680W to work with. Abroad, amperages can be much lower, say 10A, which gives you just 2300W in total.
n Consider low-wattage appliances, such as kettles and toasters, if you know your site only offers low-amperage hook-up. For example, domestic kettles require 3kw, while 750W versions are also available.
n Choose propane gas (H) if you intend to tour in winter. Propane turns from liquid to gas in temperatures as low as minus 40°C, while butane stops ‘gassing’ at around minus 2°C, so might not work even in normal British winter conditions.
n Take an outdoor Bluetooth speaker on tour, for tunes in the van, on the pitch or at the beach; one example is the Carbon Audio Zooka (£ 40 new on ebay) with a Bose Soundlink Mini (£170). Be sure to remain considerate to others when playing any music, however. n For accessing the internet on the move, consider buying or renting a Mifi dongle (I). These clever little devices use 3G, 4G and (soon) 5G to create a Wi-fi hotspot that several of your phones, tablets or laptops can log in to.
In my experience, they’re effective in all but the most rural settings. Ask your campsite what the mobile reception is like when you book.
Alternatively, with good 3G or 4G phone reception, you can simply use your mobile hotspot as a Wi-fi hub. Just type ‘Wi-fi dongles’ into your search engine to check out the best current prices and deals.
n Headtorches (J) are really handy for caravan activities carried out in the dark, such as nocturnal toilet cassette emptying, or late arrivals on site, because they leave your hands free. Petzl (petzl.com) is one of the market leaders, with a range of great products from below £20.
n If you use an awning, it’s best to take it down the night before you depart, so long as it is totally dry. Otherwise, early morning condensation, even in summer, will damage the fabric if it is packed away before it’s dry.
n Never store gas cylinders on their side – there must be a gap between the LPG and the valve.
n Powder-filled fire extinguishers should be given a good shake on a regular basis, to ensure that the contents are kept loose. A fire blanket should also be a part of your essential caravanning kit.
n Apply silicone lubricating spray into the awning channel on your caravan. This will help you feed the awning cord into the rail, without staining the awning material.
‘Consider buying some low-wattage appliances, such as kettles and toasters, if you know your campsite only offers low-amperage hook-up’
TOURING ABROAD
n When we are eventually able to enjoy touring in Europe again, it will be very important to plan in advance.
Begin by choosing your Channel ferry crossing (K) carefully, bearing in mind the cost, distance and practicalities.
If you are heading for Spain and the southwest of France, consider using the Brittany Ferries Santander or Bilbao routes, which take 24 hours. They are not cheap crossings, but after you’ve factored in fuel and tolls when going by road, what price would you put on four extra days of holiday?
n When planning any tour abroad, don’t forget to apply for the new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which you’ll need as soon as your EHIC expires. GHIC replaces EHIC and gives you reduced-cost, or sometimes free, medical treatment. GHICS are free, and easy to apply for, so avoid websites that charge you for this service.
Make sure that everyone in your party has suitable travel insurance – including any pets you might be taking, too.
n When towing or driving anywhere in Europe, ensure that you carry at least the following items in your car (L):
Spare vehicle bulbs
Fire extinguisher
First aid kit
Headlight beam deflectors
One or two warning triangles
Hi-vis vest for each occupant (within reach, not in the boot)
Second pair of prescription glasses (if you are driving in Spain)
For what else to carry, see www.theaa.com/european-breakdowncover/driving-in-europe/what-do-i-need. n Following Brexit, you might also need a Green Card, an International Driving Permit (£8.50 from the AA or £5.50 from selected Post Offices) and a UK/GB sticker. You can check the exact requirements for your destination online:
www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/ driving-in-europe/checklist
n In France, municipal campsites often refuse to accommodate twin-axle vans. Check with your site before you travel. n In the UK and across Europe, many cities are introducing low-emission zones (LEZS) to improve the air quality. In France, Paris, Lyon and Grenoble have been early adopters of the scheme.
If you plan to tow in cities that operate an LEZ, you will need the appropriate windscreen sticker (Crit’air in France, for example). Check out the LEZ status of your destinations online:
urbanaccessregulations.eu
n For all motorway journeys in Switzerland and Austria, you’ll also need a windscreen sticker, known as a vignette. They’re available at the border or online before you go.
n Make sure that your car and caravan insurance companies are aware you will be heading abroad and towing your tourer. Let them know in advance and they can supply you with a document in various languages, which will confirm that you are insured.
n When you are planning Continental touring holidays, make sure that you have enough gas cylinders on board, because European gas bottles are not compatible with UK systems.
For longer breaks, you might need to pack a Continental pigtail adaptor.
‘When you are planning Continental holidays, make sure you have enough gas on board, because European gas bottles are not compatible with UK systems’
n Keep sufficient cash in your car when using Péage toll booths (M); some can be a bit fickle with foreign payment cards.
n If you are travelling in France, consider using Routes Nationales (N) instead of toll roads. They tend to be quieter, prettier and more interesting, with great scenery and traditional French villages, where you can stop off to enjoy delicious refreshments.
n When inflating your tyres for travel on the Continent (O), remember that there are 14.5 psi to one bar.
n Although opinions on this differ, many caravanners with long experience of travel in France would not recommend stopping overnight at roadside aires, lay-bys or even service stations with your outfit. These areas are regularly targeted by thieves.
n When stopping at services abroad (and in the UK, for that matter), do not leave your outfit unattended, because it could attract opportunist thieves. Save a few bob by taking enough supplies to make your own refreshments in the caravan.
AT HOME/IN STORAGE
n Replace any outdated or damaged carpets in your van by buying cheap off-cuts and binding, fringing or serging (overstitching) the raw edges.
n Many caravans are stolen from home (only 3% are taken from purpose-built secure facilities), so always make your tourer as secure as possible.
For long-term lay-overs, consider fitting winter wheels, essentially axle stands (P) that bolt to the hub, and hide the wheels somewhere safe. There are lots of brands to choose from, such as JSB Hublock.
› jsbhublock.co.uk
n Keep your caravan fridge (Q) smelling fresh while the van is in winter storage, by placing a tub of baking soda inside the fridge, with holes punched in the lid. Always leave your fridge door ajar during lay-over periods. Many models have a door latching system specifically to achieve this.
n Protect surfaces of non-stick pans in your kitchen drawers and cupboards by separating them with a paper plate.