Caravan newbie survival guide

Ten tips to help keep you out of trouble in your first year of caravanning

So you’ve spent months going to caravan shows and caravan dealers looking for your dream caravan. You’ve ordered it to your specification and now, finally, it’s been built and you’ve picked it up.

So what’s next? You could hitch up and head into the sunset with fingers crossed -- or follow our advice to ensure your first year of caravanning is safe as well as enjoyable…

DO A TOWING COURSE

If you haven’t done much towing, now’s the time to do a towing course. You’ll get hands-on advice about basic safety checks and tips on how to reverse a van.

Towing courses are an invaluable confidence-builder when you’re new to caravanning and even better, do one with your travel partner so you’re both on the same page…

USE A CHECK-LIST

Before you set off on your first trip, you should work up a check-list of things you need to inspect before driving off.

They’re really just reminders, but you’ll need them close to hand at first because when towing a caravan there’s a lot more going on than just jumping into a car and going.

BATTEN THE HATCHES

The check-list should include a pre-trip routine, such as going through the interior and checking windows, hatches, TV, lockers and cupboards are secured, the TV aerial is down, the ensuite door locked into position and the fridge door secured (if it has a locking tab).

Open hatches can break or even blow off, and after a transport stage unsecured lockers or cupboards can leave the inside of your van looking like someone’s ransacked it.

FINAL CHECKS

Your exterior checklist should include a walk around the van, making sure wheel chocks are removed, stabiliser legs retracted, lockers and the awning are secured and gas cylinders valves are closed.

Finally, the coupling pin should be secured on the towball, the handbrake released, the chains properly secured and the trailer wiring plugged into the tow vehicle.

Always check the van’s tail lights work every time you’ve plugged in the trailer plug, because they’re fickle things, especially the pin contacts.

Lastly, you’ll want to do a quick check of tyre pressures and, of course the tow vehicle’s fluid levels before you head off.

You’ll probably find after a few tours with the van you won’t need to carry your checklist around with you. But you still need a walk-around to check everything; even after years of caravanning, forgetting to secure a hatch, secure a pop-top roof or awning or tighten a chain shackle can happen to the best of us.

STAY FOCUSSED

Towing might seem easy in that it’s generally done at a slower pace than other traffic but that doesn’t mean you can relax – towing is actually a lot more tiring, because you have to concentrate more. There are more things you need to think about, and you’ll learn new road craft skills to keep you out of trouble.

These include allowing extra braking space and regularly checking the mirrors to ensure you’ve positioned the rig properly in the lane – allowing for the extra width of the van – and checking traffic behind.

DANGER SIGNS

Looking ahead for danger signs is also really important. In the city, on narrow, heavily cambered roads, you have to look out for obstacles like shop awnings, street signs and power poles that are waiting to snag the side of your van or motorhome.

You have to check your mirrors regularly to ensure the van is well clear of such obstacles, including overhanging branches or even low bridges if you’re van sits quite high or has a roof-top air-conditioner.

WATCH FOR TRUCKS

Don’t get too relaxed on the open highway, either. Trucks passing can create huge bow waves of air that can push your van around, so you’ll learn to keep as wide a berth as possible between your rig and large trucks.

Learning where your rig’s ‘sweet spot’ is when cruising is vital. Going fast enough, but not too fast, is something you’ll learn though experience.

Road conditions (and prevailing winds) can dramatically affect towing stability, and unless your rig is unbalanced sitting between 90 and 100km/h on the highway is often the sweet spot for most rigs.

TAKE BREAKS

Also allow plenty of time for breaks when you’re towing. Don’t be overly ambitious about how far you’ll get in a day; remember, when towing you’ll be traveling slower than you do without the van.

LEARN HOW TO BACK UP

Reversing a caravan is the undoing of many. It’s not that hard, provided that you’re patient and practice.

Find an open area such as a large, empty car park to practice in. Set up some markers such as safety cones in a position that might replicate a van site.

Remember to turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction to the intended travel of the van, and to manouvre slowly.

One useful trick, if the van is starting to turn too sharply, is simply pull forward a metre or so (with the tow vehicle’s front wheels pointing straight ahead or with opposite lock to the steering angle you had when reversing). This will pull the van back from its too-sharp turning angle.

TAKE YOUR TIME

When pulling up to a site, you need to have a look all around you, noting any obstacles such as taps sticking out of the ground.

Don’t forget to look up – branches that are well clear of your vehicle may well be too low for the van. And keep an eye on the front of your tow vehicle as well in case you’re going to hit something.

Like most things, towing a van is improved by practice. It doesn’t take long to get the basics right, and from there you’ll soon become a tow pro.

Caravan newbie survival guide

Tags