Tow like a pro, in all weathers

Most driving advice is common sense, such as checking the weather before you set off and reducing speed in bad conditions. There’s something to be said for well-meaning tips…

Wind

Although it’s a very good rule of thumb whatever the weather, keeping heavy items low down in the van is especially important when it’s windy. Stashing them close to the axles will help with your stability if a gust catches you.

Check your route ahead of time and if it takes you down narrow roads or country lanes, consider taking the long way around instead.

Rain

If it’s raining, remember that leaving a grass pitch might be slippery – you won’t want to annoy the site owner by churning up their grass, only to get stuck. If possible, choose a slightly sloping pitch that you can drive (or reverse) off downhill, to give you a bit more momentum to get going.

Heat

When it comes to breakdowns during the summer months, the RAC calls batteries “the number one offender”. They also warn drivers that stop-start traffic, increased short journeys and charging devices can all help to push your battery right to the brink. Keep an eye out for:

Lethargic starting

Dimmer lights

Longer turn-on time

Dodgy dashboard lights

You can avoid any interruptions to your summer road trip by:

Replacing your battery after three to five years

Avoiding lots of small journeys Checking and charging your battery before long journeys or after a day of crawling traffic

Buying a battery comfort indicator

Cold

You’ll need plenty of grip during snowy and icy conditions, so it’s very important to monitor tread depth. A cold snap can cause tyre pressure to drop, which contributes to wear and increases risk of a blow-out, so check pressure often in cold weather.

Hot weather causes pressure to rise – so we’d advise checking your tyre pressure before every journey.