Get up to speed on caravan storage
IF YOU PLAN TO STORE YOUR CARAVAN ON YOUR DRIVEWAY… Don’t assume you can. Council byelaws may prohibit you from doing so Do try to store the van with the hitch facing away from the road, to make things harder for potential thieves Do fit a wheel lock and a hitch lock – caravans left on drives are more vulnerable than those in storage units IF YOU PLAN TO STORE YOUR CARAVAN AWAY FROM HOME… Do choose a site close to home that is approved by CASSOA – preferably one with a gold or platinum rating Do visit the site before you sign up, to get a feel for it. As well as the security apparatus, check cleanliness (to keep vermin to a minimum), staff alertness (if nobody challenges you, that’s a bad sign) and the surface your van will be on (vans on soft ground are harder to remove) Don’t assume anything when filling in details of your storage on your insurer’s website. Many providers assume sites are locked 24 hours a day. Not spelling this out could invalidate your insurance HOWEVER YOU PLAN TO STORE YOUR CARAVAN… Do think about removing all valuable items, including the upholstery if that’s possible – the thieves are less likely to bother with your caravan if these items have been removed Do think about how you plan to keep your battery charged over the winter. Removing it could invalidate any tracker system you have fitted Do consider fitting a caravan cover, to protect your van from the weather, UV light and bird droppings Do consider storing your van at your favourite campsite – that way, you might not even have to tow it to start your holiday next year!