Jayco's tips for happy holidays

Getting ready for your annual trip and not quite sure that you’ve crossed everything off the list?

Help is at hand from Australia’s largest RV manufacturer Jayco, which has issued these 10 timely tips for a hiccup-free holiday...

• Choose the right van. Make sure you do the research so you get the RV that meets your needs. Think about your vehicle’s towing capacity, your budget, where you will store the vehicle and how much room you require for additional guests or equipment.

• Research the destination. There are many ways to find out about excellent RV destinations: the numerous travel shows on television, countless publications and informative websites like CaravanCampingSales. Together, they provide a great rundown of places to visit while caravanning, and the people you can meet along the way. 
 
• Don’t get stranded. As with any vehicle, make sure you’re covered for roadside assistance. Companies such as RV Care  provide 24 hour support and can help with emergency towing, flat tyres, lost keys and accommodation,. Membership costs less than $100 per year.

• Get connected. Just because you’re away from home doesn’t mean you have to cut yourself off from civilization (unless you want to). Set up your own wireless network on your van so you can keep in touch as you go.

• Save on energy. You can power much of your van with solar panels, negating the need to hook up to electricity at a caravan park. Retailers like Coast to Coast provide a range of solar panels, to keep you powered up during your trip.

• Have a safety checklist. Give your van a test run before you hit the road. Hitch the unit to the car, check the safety catch is operating and attach safety chains. Check all lights. Make sure towing mirrors are correctly fitted and adjusted so that you are aware of other traffic on the road. And most importantly, switch all gas bottles off before you depart.

• Check the roads. If you’re travelling in northern Australia during the wet season, call ahead to find out if conditions are suitable for RVs as often roads can flood and become dangerous. Down south, stay aware of bushfires – the local State Emergency Service provides updated information about any fires in the area.

• Sparkle and shine. Make your van the envy of all others on the road by giving it a polish inside and out. There are a range of RV cleaning products available locally from specialists like Camco, designed to keep your van looking its best.

• Record your journey. Whether travelling with family, friends or on your own, remember to take photos, video or write an on-line blog, so you can share your trip with others for years to come. 

• Meet like-minded friends. To ensure your RV road trips are not confined to summer jaunts, join a caravan club. There are dozens of clubs in each state around Australia, catering to different makes and styles of RVs. Many hold regular rallies and trips to a variety of destinations.


• Got some RV news or released a new product? Email chris.fincham@carsales.com.au