Top caravan holiday tips

If you have never tried caravanning before or just bought your first one, you might be surprised by just how smooth, calm and hassle-free getting on the road, pitching up at your chosen caravan site and enjoying your holiday can be.

Some people might get into a proper lather running around to pack all the gear at the last minute and worrying about whether everything has been properly and safely packed. You, on the other hand, may be able to avoid all that simply by following a few of our caravan holiday tips:

Getting organised

perhaps the biggest single key to hassle-free caravanning is simply being properly organised;
it needn’t be as dry and boring as it sounds – planning what to pack, where to go, and researching the sites to choose from for your holiday is all part of the fun and excitement, so enjoy it;
don’t forget, if you are planning to visit a new caravan site, why not visit our dedicated YouTube channel? We have lots of useful site arrival videos that show you how to get to your chosen campsite. Or simply browse this site for ideas.

Be prepared

of course, you don’t want to start imagining all the things that might go wrong before you even leave home for your holidays, but there is still a lot to be said for being prepared;
that means being prepared if something does go wrong and your caravan is damaged – or even stolen;
that is when you may need the type of caravan insurance we arrange here at Cover4Caravans;

Towing courses

although you are likely to get the hang of towing a caravan fairly quickly, if you are new to the skills required, you might want to take a towing course;
practice in a controlled environment is likely to build your confidence when manoeuvring your caravan both on the road and when getting onto your pitch at the campsite – so taking any stress out of the experience;
caravan mirrors can prove vital to safely towing and manoeuvring your caravan – to boost your confidence in the use of mirrors, you might want to review our detailed guide on the subject;

The master list

even when you have become a seasoned hand, there is still much to be said for a master list of essential things and pieces of kit to remember to pack;
you might add or take away from it over time, of course, but such a list might reduce the number of times you are left kicking yourself for something you forgot and left at home;
you might want to start off your own master list by reviewing the Caravanning Checklist we’ve already prepared;

Hitchlocks and wheel clamps

Don’t forget to stow your hitchlock and wheel clamps – their use is likely to be a condition of your caravan insurance, both when you leave it unattended whilst still attached to your car (hitchlock and wheel clamps) and when it is unhitched and on your pitch at the campsite (wheel clamps alone).

Caravanning with children

Being prepared also means making special provision for any children that are holidaying with you – taking into account their ages and tastes, of course. Here are some tips …

while a touring caravan lets you see many different places in one trip – so that no one gets bored – there is always the worry that you will not be able to keep them amused, especially if the notoriously unpredictable British weather turns inclement;
although you will be hoping for dry weather, of course, always prepare for rain and pack some rainy-day activities such as board games, cards and the like to keep the youngsters occupied – we have a specially prepared Guide to what to do on rainy days which may help you plan;
the drive itself can prove especially trying so have plenty of distracting entertainment to hand to head off any boredom – books, audiobooks, a games console, or any number of games you’ve pre-downloaded on a laptop;
if it’s going to be an especially long journey, you could also find out if there are any places to stop off at on the way and break the journey up into shorter chunks – in addition to the regular comfort breaks, of course;
take an “emergency” pack of non-perishable food and drink, plus hand wipes for those sticky fingers;
careful planning is key to a successful holiday, so make sure you choose a suitable site to stay at;
if you can find a site with a playground, shop, clubs and other child-friendly amenities, this could help the children (and you!) enjoy a better time – you can find out more about family sites in the UK at the Caravan and Motorhome Club website;
if young children are with you, a good supply of games is essential when you go camping – so, pack a bat and ball, tennis rackets, a swingball set, a volleyball set, a frisbee and, if you have space, even some bikes;
you will also need to keep all these games somewhere, so this could be a good time to invest in a large awning – just make sure you take security seriously because caravan insurance sometimes does not cover the contents of awnings if you do not take suitable security measures;
whether or not you are travelling with children, you might want to select a caravan site located near some popular attractions so that you can spend time doing different things – if you choose a site near the beach or within striking distance of lots of walking trails, of course, you will always find something to do;

Caravan safety and first aid

safety in your caravan is essential, of course, so you might want to review our comprehensive guide on the subject;
important components of your safety equipment are the first aid kits designed not just for you but also for your caravan;
in the first instance, you are likely to know already what first aid supplies you and your family may need;
the “first aid kit” for your caravan might include items such as a torch (with fully-charged batteries and which you know works), an adjustable spanner, two screwdrivers (which might also be used as levers), spare fuses for the electrics and a can of WD40;

Overloading

one of the reasons for giving careful thought about what to pack and what not to pack is to avoid the temptation to overload your caravan;
as a rule of thumb, aim for the caravan’s fully laden weight (MTPLM) to be no more than 85% of the kerbweight of your towing vehicle, particularly if you are new to towing. More experienced towers may go higher, but you should never exceed the car manufacturer’s stated towing limit or other applicable weight limits;
in the early days, of course, it might be difficult judging these payloads, so you might want to find your nearest public weighbridge to test them out a few times;

Wired to alarm

naturally, an intruder or anti-theft alarm is a helpful safety and security device to fit to your caravan – and your insurer will certainly thank you for it;
the Camping and Caravanning Club has published a detailed article about the many security devices and equipment available on the market – all of which are designed to make it more difficult for any thief to make off with your caravan;
the article mentions that sticky labels prominently displayed in the window or on the body of your caravan might announce the security measures and anti-intruder devices you’ve installed – but also notes that some tracker devices rely on the fact that they remain hidden and are unknown to any thief.

Further reading: What security measures do caravan insurers expect?

Getting prepared!

These are just some of our suggestions and ideas for getting ready for your outings and adventures in your touring caravan.

Remember that planning is everything, so think carefully about every aspect of your adventure – from the fun of packing what you’ll need to safely arriving at the caravan site of your choice. If you are travelling with children, of course, you’ll want to keep them happily occupied for the long journeys as well as when you arrive at the site.

A little preparation before you set off can help take much of the stress out of your journey, leaving you free to enjoy your caravan holiday.

Top caravan holiday tips

Caravanning with children

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