You’ve booked the dates, taken the time off, chosen the destination, and are all set to go on your latest and greatest caravan holiday adventure. Before you go, stop and read this article. It will change your life!
Well, probably not, but it will give you the very best eight pieces of advice that you will ever find to make sure that your caravan holiday isn’t just a huge success, but one that can occur without any hiccups along the way.
So read on through with us as we go right through one to eight.
These tips will be focused on everything - from preparation and equipment checks, right through to some of the finer points that many tend to gloss over.
1. Creating a list, checking it twice
How many times have you gone anywhere, let alone on one of those famous road trips, and realised that you’ve forgotten something? How many times more has that certain something been essential to the success of your caravan holiday?
We’ve all been there, and this is where the humble checklist can often be your best friend.
Make a list of every single thing that you could possibly require for the trip well before you set off, and make sure that each item is present and accounted for.
Not only can this help you with forgetting crucial items and equipment - you’d hate to have set up the kitchen set then forgotten the gas bottle, for instance - but it will also help you itemise your trip, which brings us to the next top tip…
2. Think carefully about what you need, and what you don’t (necessity vs luxury)
Yes it might be tempting to take the blow up pool lilos for the spare day you might have on your trip to head off to the local body of water, but are you definitely, really going to need it? One of the great flaws that many make upon embarking on a caravan holiday is taking things that they don’t need or simply don’t use.
Not only does this sacrifice space, but it can also hamper your efforts to make sure you have every item and piece of equipment that you will need.
Think very carefully about what is feasible, and what isn’t, and go from there when planning your checklist. This isn’t to say that you need to cut out all of the luxuries in life, but you should always base the kit you’re taking on your caravan holiday to the location and the activities.
3. Check your towing equipment
One essential part of your caravan holiday going smoothly is the towbar. Whilst this may seem like the most straightforward bit of advice that you’ll ever hear about anything, you would be surprised as to how many gloss over it.
Towbars over time age and wear down like everything else, and if you own an older car, it is a good habit to get into to check it as frequently as you use it.
You should also make sure that the caravan or caravan trailer that you are taking on your holiday isn’t too heavy for your towbar to handle.
This goes back to the planning and checklist aspect of the holiday trip - if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
4. Make sure all equipment is in top shape before venturing off
Similar to tip three, think about all aspects of your caravan trip, what you will be doing, and what equipment you will be using. For instance:
- Are any and all gas bottles full and corresponding valves working?
- Are the hinges to your caravan or trailer all working as they should?
- Do you have a water tank? Is that in good condition and working?
- Are any and all electrical systems functioning?
- Are the wheel axles and tyres, including the spare, all working?
A lot to think about, isn’t it? If you haven’t checked for a while, or simply have no idea, it could be a good sign it may need a service before you head off on your grand caravan trip.
5. And before you go, chart your course
Don’t just take it for granted that you only have to get on the freeway to get where you want to go. With record levels of road infrastructure spending going on across various states all around the country, even the path you’ve always taken to your favourite spot may have changed. Plus, there’s nothing worse than having to admit you’re lost!
Take care, do your research, and make sure that you’ve got your chosen course to your destination well documented for your caravan holiday.
6. Give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination
The early bird gets the worm, so to speak, which is why leaving as early as possible to get to where you’re going can often be the best practice.
Especially if the trip is a long one, there is nothing quite worse than having to set up the caravan either in darkness or whilst you are tired. Not only is this a general wellness statement, but being tired and setting up the caravan trailer can be dangerous to you and your fellow travellers.
What’s more, it will allow you to do the following top tip...
7. Take it easy
We’ll admit, tips 6 and 7 tie in very nicely together. Because there’s nothing worse than having to rush around at the last minute, then rush even faster and pass on all the joys that come with having a nice relaxing caravan holiday.
We’re not saying stop off at every scenic stop that you can possibly find, but make sure to not ever be in a position that you have to rush around.
Not only does this make sure that you arrive safely, but it will also help you enjoy your holiday to the fullest.
8. Most importantly, have fun!
There truly is nothing quite like a caravan holiday that goes all according to plan - you will truly wish you could never leave! Part and parcel of this is to have fun and enjoy the whole experience.
All of the other tips are simply to guide you into having a trip that can truly be hassle-free, but the overall joy should be in what you get out of it, and what you do.
