Posts Tagged ‘Caravan Insurance’

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Reverse Parking

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Ask most caravanners to list their least favourite aspects to the caravanning experience and parking won’t take long to surface as a major issue.  It’s not just the difficulty which frustrates people; It’s the fact that at the end of a long, tiring journey, a tricky parking manoeuvre just isn’t what you need.

Furthermore, the first contact you have with your neighbours for the next weekend/week/fortnight could well be an embarrassing one.  The fantasy of driving in, parking up and jumping out would leave you free to greet those around you.  Instead, all too often, you’re forced to grimace at them from the agony of your car cockpit.

Thankfully help is at hand.  Although you might still take a while to master the technique, there are some simple rules and tips to help you park if not with ease, then at least with a touch of grace.

Firstly, remember to keep calm.  Of course, best laid plans are often discarded, and you may well find it hard to quell the frustration after a long journey with restless children.  But staying calm will always improve your chances of success, and get your holiday started on the right note.

If you’re really concerned about parking, don’t be afraid to do a practise run before setting off on the real holiday.  If you take the kids along you can disguise the whole thing as a warm-up for the main holiday event!  Parking up a few times in a quiet area can give you the confidence boost that you need to park with ease upon arrival at the site.

Whenever and wherever you reverse park, it is always advisable to have a guide to assist you as the ‘navigator’ (driver).  However, don’t just kick your partner out of the passenger seat and onto the grass when you arrive; they won’t know how to help.  Ideally, the guide should be somebody who has had experience of the manoeuvre themselves.  Before anybody leaves the car, arrange some standard signals and phrases.  For example, agree whether “further right” means ‘turn the car to the right’ or ‘turn the caravan to the right’ before you start the manoeuvre. Depending on the size of your caravan, you might have difficulty communicating orally, so agree on some hand signals, or use Walkie-Talkies for clarity.

Even if you do have a good flow of communication between guide and navigator, accidents resulting from crashing into unseen objects are always possible.  Before you set off, check the area you are moving into thoroughly.

Many difficulties in manoeuvring occur unnecessarily.  It may seem obvious, but if there is no need to reverse park your caravan, then take the easy option.  If there is another way of parking up, for example by driving round the block to straighten up, then save yourself the trouble and possible embarrassment.

Rather than getting your holiday off to a stressful and embarrassing start, make sure that you’re prepared for parking up.  Whether it involves practise or preparation or both, you’ll be glad you did.  It’s always best to stay safe and avoid any possible accidents, but if the worst does happen, make sure that you’ve taken out Caravan Insurance so that you’re protected.

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Posted in Advice & Information, Caravan, Caravan Insurance, Holiday, Insurance, Motor Caravan, Motorhome, safety | No Comments »

Making the Most of your Fridge

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Gone are the days when the only culinary options available to you on a caravan holiday came from a tin.  The campers in the site next to you might still be limited to beans and bread, but the mod-cons of your caravan should help you live a comparative life of luxury.

Central to this culinary luxury is your fridge.  Modern caravans usually come with a fridge as standard, and there may even be a variety of options and sizes for you to choose from.  Even if your caravan doesn’t have a fridge, they are cheap to buy and easy to install.

With this fridge, you’ll be able to keep crisp veg, safely stored meat and even chilled drinks to enjoy during your holiday.

As with all life’s little luxuries, though, keeping your fridge operational and well require a bit of thought.  This effort should, however, be rewarded in the longevity of the fridge and temperature of its contents.

A common fault which users run into – and one that can be difficult to diagnose or solve – is tipping the fridge on an angle.  When you park up your caravan, if you inadvertently position the caravan on an angle, the fridge could begin to work at a lower than standard capacity, or stop working altogether.  It is important to keep the fridge flat when parked up.

Remember that all fridges take some time to cool down.  If you are transferring food from your fridge at home, make sure the caravan fridge has been turned on for at least 12hours prior to moving the food, otherwise the temperature could fall below a safe or pleasant level.

If you’re pushed for time, don’t panic – there’s a simple solution!  To aid your fridge in the cooling process, pack it with items from your freezer as you leave.  This way, the frozen items will help cool the fridge and then defrost themselves by the time you arrive.  A perfect idea for stocking up the fridge for a BBQ on arrival.

Overloading your fridge can result in the entire contents of your fridge failing to reach a good temperature.  Whilst it might be tempting to fill every available space with cans of beer, it might be better to stagger your use of the fridge so that its contents fills properly.  Remember, however, that items such as meat, cooked rice and dairy products can cause health risks if left out in a hot caravan for too long.  Another alternative is to use a coolbag or coolbox, some of which even plug into the mains directly to keep all the drinks and snacks cool during the day.

Once your holiday’s over, don’t forget to turn off the fridge.  Leaving the door wide open will allow air to circulate though and prevent any build ups of mould.

If you take good care of your caravan fridge, you should be living a life of luxury in no time.  Who knows?: You might even feel a spark of generosity and offer your tent-dwelling neighbours a cool glass of white wine.

To make sure that you have an ultimately chilled and luxurious holiday, set your mind at rest by taking out Caravan Insurance before you go.

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Make Money with Your Caravan

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

One of the most attractive draws of caravanning is the price tag.  After the initial investment, holidaying costs become almost negligible.  The costs of petrol, food, gas and site fees are your primary outlays, but shouldn’t break the bank.

If, however, you fancy making this cost-effective form of holidaying into an even cheaper, or even lucrative, activity, you’ll be pleased to know that there are actually ways of making money using your caravan.

Consider the facts.  Your caravan probably cost you at least a few thousand to buy, either new or second hand.  In return, you get use of it for your holidays each year.  Depending on your lifestyle habits, this could mean extensive use or just a couple of weeks per year.  Either way, the down-time of your caravan usage is likely to be fairly large.

So why pay for storage of your caravan for the rest of the year?  Or even if you store it yourself, why lose out on it’s under use?  Why not rent out – or sublet – your caravan for the times when you are not using it?

By renting out your caravan, you could easily earn enough to cover the costs of your own caravan holidays, and might even find yourself with a few spare pennies to keep for yourself too.

So what are the options for renting out your caravan?

Well, probably the easiest option is to sign your caravan up to a private rental firm.  These organisations will sort out all of the advertising, administration and practicalities of hiring out your caravan.  Some organisations even store your caravan for the entire time that you are not using it – effectively acting as a timeshare where you merely book in when you want your own holiday.

Of course, the disadvantages of these organisations are evident too.  They will take a commission off the top of your rental income.  Depending on your aims, it may also seem like too much of a deviation from your ideal holidaying scenario.  You won’t be able to just zoom off on holiday whenever the mood takes you, which may take some of the joy out of the pursuit for you.

Another option, made vastly easier thanks to the widespread nature of the internet, is to rent out your caravan one-to-one.  Finding a customer and arranging the rental may take more work on your part, but protects you from the fees of an external company.  There are many websites and forums that offer to connect those who want to let and rent caravans.

So how much could you expect to make?

Obviously, how much you can charge for your caravan depends on its age, quality and specifications.  For a simple test, check how much similar models to yours are being rented out for.  You should be able to find out in no time how much you might make.

You’ll also need to factor in the costs of marketing, cleaning and any extra travel.  But as long as you aren’t expecting to make a banker’s salary from the arrangement, you should be pleasantly surprised by this potential source of income.

Renting out your caravan can be lucrative, but it does carry its own risks.  Make sure you’ve got a good Caravan Insurance policy to cover you and your caravan.

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Tracking Devices

Monday, July 26th, 2010

Imagine the scene.  You’ve been holidaying in Cornwall and have spent the day out at the beach.  Despite locking your caravan securely including doors, windows and wheels, somebody has managed to break in.  You return to find an empty spot at the site.

At this point, naturally, you contact the police.  You provide your details and the details of your caravan.  Unfortunately, despite all their best efforts, the police will invariably find your predicament a difficult one to solve.  The thief will have changed the number plates, leaving a largely nondescript caravan to find.

Not only does this situation deprive you of your caravan home, but also any of your possessions stored within it.  For all the preventative methods you can employ, this occurrence is never entirely avoidable.

Luckily, tracking devices can provide a fantastic safety net for caravan theft.  Using satellite technology similar to that in your GPS Navigation system – tracking devices are securely attached to your caravan so that the vehicle can be located after theft by the police.

There are a number of different types of caravan tracking devices, one of which could work perfectly for you.

Target Tracker
When you buy one of these devices you are also given a phone number.  On discovering a theft, simply call the operator and they will be able to activate the tracker device on your caravan.  For those concerned about privacy, these systems are ideal since they cannot be operated without direct user permission.  Once located, the police will be given the details for recovery.

Phantom Target
Phantom makes some of the most reliable security systems available, and their products come with outstanding safety ratings.  Attaching to the backup batteries of your caravan, these devices will not even be deactivated if the thieves cut the main power for the vehicle.  The average period for recovery time using one of these devices is a tiny two hours.

Phantom Pro-Active
As well as providing the standard location information, this model is able to communicate security related information back to the central call centre, which can then be passed on to you the user or to the police.  For example, motion sensors can pick up any unexpected activity, or cutting mains power would also alert the call centre.

RAC Trickster Pro-Active
This greatly respected automobile club offers their own tracking services.  Any unauthorised movement of your caravan will trigger an alarm to the central call centre.  You will then be contacted in an effort to ascertain whether the action is malicious or of your own doing.  This service is also offered for a whole range of other vehicles, and all are professionally and discreetly fitted.

Of course, nobody wants to become the victim of theft.  Caravans, in particular, can be an extremely vulnerable and valuable item to lose.  Preventative measures are always advisable however to a determined thief they will act only as barriers.  For added peace of mind, tracking devices offer an excellent second-response to theft.  Whichever anti-theft methods you choose, keep your peace of mind by taking out Caravan Insurance too.

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Festival Caravanning

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Music festivals are the realm of euphoria, relaxation and great experiences.  Sadly, rain, sleepless nights and mud creep in and can often spoil visitors’ enjoyment drastically.

In the UK at the moment, festivals are becoming one of the most popular summer activities.  There are hundreds of festivals throughout the year around the country, ranging from a few hours to a few weeks long.  Even better, the choice of music, entertainment and themes are wide enough to impress any aficionado or casual listener.

So how can you hit the festivals without slumming it?  Take your caravan!

Most major UK festivals now have provision for caravans.  You’ll even find special caravan service providers at some of the largest festivals.

The advantages of taking your caravan to a festival can be obvious, but there are more subtle benefits too.  Firstly, expect to keep yourself far dryer in a caravan than in a tent.  Unfortunately, festivals seem to be unfairly plagued by bad weather, but with a caravan you’ll be able to dry yourself off after a hard day’s partying, and enjoy a warm night.

Whilst you can feasibly stock up a tent with mattresses and duvets, you’ll find that you can make up a far more comfortable bed in your caravan.  What’s more, rather than lugging round heavy or cumbersome bedding, it’ll all be stored for you en-route.

Another major concern about festivals is their toileting facilities.  Save yourself the horrors of spending a penny on the final days of the festival by bringing your own caravan (with toilet) to the site.  You might even have an on-board shower, although beware that this could incur scorn from fellow ‘rightfully un-showered’ festival goers.

As with any good plan, there are still some drawbacks.  Booking a site for your caravan will likely set you back more money than a standard tent pitch.  Worse still, the caravan sites are sometimes positioned further away from the action than standard areas.  This is a compromise which could work for you, or might leave you unimpressed.

Furthermore, it is also important to consider your entry to the festival.  Due to the sheer scale of many modern festivals, campsites can be a long distance from major roadways.  You can, therefore, sometimes be forced to travel over large amounts of natural terrain – a possible challenge if your caravan or car finds off-road journeying difficult.

Despite these problems, though, caravanning can be the perfect way to experience festivals, even if they’ve never appealed to you before.

The big festivals, all of which are fully accessible to caravanners, are Glastonbury, Reading, Leeds and V festivals.  For watching the major headliners from Muse to Stevie Wonder, there’s nowhere better.

On the other hand, smaller festivals can provide unforgettable experiences despite their lack of household names.  The Secret Garden Party, or Rob Da Bank’s Bestival on the Isle of Wight are both extremely successful and popular smaller festivals.

If unbearable conditions have dissuaded you from attending festivals in the past, but something still inspires you about the idea, your caravan can provide the ideal compromise.  Don’t suffer for your enjoyment, take your caravan and have a great time in comfort.  Whatever use you find for your caravan, make sure you’ve taken out good Caravan Insurance.

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Choose Your Caravan Carefully

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Buying a caravan is a uniquely challenging experience.  Not only do you encounter all the trials and tribulations of purchasing a ‘home’, but also the confusing specifications which come with a new vehicle.

Those who find decision making tricky will be saddened to learn that caravans come in huge numbers of types and styles.  But fear not, because there are clear advantages and disadvantages of each, so you should be able to determine exactly the right type for you.

Static Caravan
Although designed for transport, caravans do not have to move anywhere at all.  In fact, if you enjoy hitting the same spots every holiday period, parking up your caravan permanently can have distinct advantages.  If you manage to arrange a good deal with the site owner, you could end up saving money overall in transport and site fees, despite a land rental cost.  Static caravans also allow you to build up permanent features around the vehicle, such as gardens or pot plants.

Mobile Caravans
Of course, there’s nothing better than the freedom of being able to hit the open road before parking up at the spot of your choosing.  Mobile caravans come in a huge range of styles.  Long gone are the days when caravanning was entirely about cold baked-beans and uncomfortable tin beds.  Features can include anything from kitchens and beds to baths, flat screen TVs and mood lighting.  The larger mobile caravans are often fitted with a double axel, but beware that these will significantly increase your fuel consumption on the journey.

Folding Caravans
Not everybody has vast amounts of freely available parking space in which to store a caravan for most of the year.  For these people, folding caravans can provide the perfect solution; full functionality at the fraction of the size.  Tow your caravan to the site, and then simply unfold it to full size.  This can be a good option for those concerned about towing such a large vehicle on the roads.  Disadvantages include sometimes high set up times, and a lack of storage space for luggage within the caravan.

Slide Out Caravans
Some of the newest technology to appear in the caravan market has been the slide out caravan.  Operating in a range of different ways, from extension panels in the middle of the vehicle to instantly accessible extra rooms below the caravan, slide out caravans help keep the vehicle become more manageable on the road whilst maximising living space during the holiday.  Again, this can cause some limitations in terms of luggage storage.  Another key considerations is that, however well tested they are, extensive moving parts in caravans can occasionally be subject to wear and tear.

Choosing the right caravan for you isn’t easy, but it is worth putting in the effort into researching the market before you buy.  If you’re really stuck, it can be possible to rent caravans for a test holiday before you decide.

Whichever caravan you opt for, make sure that you have covered it fully with Caravan Insurance.

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Green Caravanning

Monday, July 19th, 2010

How does your caravan holiday affect the environment?  This may well be a question that you have asked yourself.  Perhaps other people have mentioned the issue to you.  On the other hand, you may not have considered it at all.

One thing’s for sure – the caravan industry has definitely been considering the question thoroughly.  Green caravanning is a major issue, and is becoming something of a battle ground for service providers, campsites and manufacturers all competing for the best credentials.

For a start, all caravanners have something to feel good about.  By driving, rather than flying, to your holiday destination, you are significantly reducing the strain on airline fuels (which are, of course, a major contributor to global warming).

However, you probably won’t be able to use a particularly low-fuel-consumption car to tow your heavy caravan around the country or the continent.  Many of the best towing cars in fact perform very poorly in terms of green credentials.

There are many ways that you can reduce this adverse affect of your holiday.  For a start, consider hiring a car for your holiday towing needs, rather than using a gas-guzzler year-round.  If you only need the power and size for one holiday a year, this would prove a far more energy efficient (and probably cheaper) option.

When you are on the road, remember that reducing your speed to 75% of top speed can halve your fuel consumption.  Take your sweet time on the road, enjoy the journey at a relaxed pace and you’ll be doing your bit to save energy.

Whatever car you drive, undergoing a service or checking procedure before you set off can flag up issues which would cause low energy efficiency.  Under-inflated tyres (either of the car or caravan) can add huge strains on your vehicle, and waste fuel.

Another important environmental consideration is the campsites themselves.  Whilst caravanners are renowned for being a respectful group who are mindful of their surroundings, some campsites can create eyesores in beautiful landscapes, or damage the local area through misuse.

Many of the major caravan sites, such as those owned by The Caravan Club, have introduced rules and procedures to ensure high environmental standards for their sites.  Energy efficiency tests, recycling facilities and wildlife audits are all key parts of keeping these standards high.

Recognising such efforts, the David Bellamy Conservation Awards, set up in 1996, encourage site owners to pay attention to keeping caravanning green.  For holiday-makers, the award gives a clear indication of which sites to visit if they are concerned for the environment.  The awards are offered after inspection by environmental professionals who assess according to strict standards.

Of course, it isn’t enough just to park up at an environmentally friendly campsite.  Individual holidaymakers also have to make the effort in respecting their environment and contributing to the site’s efforts.

Green caravanning doesn’t have to involve stresses and strains.  It might involve some small compromises or changes in habits, but for the most part the benefits outweigh the costs.  Whilst you are planning changes, don’t forget to check that your caravan is fully covered with Caravan Insurance.

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Essential Caravan Accessories

Friday, July 16th, 2010

The great simplicity about taking your caravan on a holiday comes through the ease of packing.  At the furthest extreme, you might even be able to leave your caravan fully packed up with a whole stock of kitchenware, clothes and toiletries; all you need for a holiday without having to pack up at all.  Even if you need to stock up with a few bits and bobs before you go, it’s still possible to leave a large amount in the caravan when it’s not in use.

The great annoyance about taking your caravan on holiday is that, once at the campsite, you will invariably find yourself missing certain items.  Frustratingly, whilst many campsites sell various necessities, you can often find yourself far away from towns which would sell what you need.

Working out the essential selection of items to take with you in your caravan is an important process.  If you intend to leave your caravan stocked while not in use, this can make sure that you have happy holidays for many years to come, and avoid ever having to worry about ‘forgetting your toothbrush’.

So what are some of those essential items that you may well miss off your list when stocking up the caravan?

- Take along a good set of tools, repair kits and replacement parts for any breakables.  Whether your caravan is new or old, something is bound to go wrong at some point, and you will regret not packing these essentials if you find yourself unable to make urgent repairs.  Duck Tape is fantastic for quick, cosmetic repairs.  Obviously, all serious damage needs to be properly inspected and repaired by a professional, but having a ‘mechanical first response’ kit can be a huge help.

- A torch, and spare batteries.  Electrical failures or necessary night time excursions are bound to crop up at some point.  Make sure your torch is working, and keep it in an easy-to-find location (because you’ll probably need to find it in the dark.)

- Stock up on toiletries.  You’ll always need things like toothpaste, deodorants and soaps, and you’ll be annoyed if you run out.  It’s much easier to keep a full stock inside the caravan, rather than having to transfer everything each holiday.

- Kitchen utensils can be bought in full sets from many supermarkets and large stores.  Stocking up on a full set of crockery, cutlery and utensils makes sure that you know exactly what’s there, and you’ll be free to cook in comfort.

- Use some storage boxes.  Get stackable ones so that you can keep them with minimal impact on the space of the caravan.  Boxes are handy for keeping everything clean and dry, taking food out on day trips, or even storing muddy clothes to keep them from messing up the interior.

- Dust-Buster mini vacuum cleaners are a great addition to any caravan.  They take up minimal space, but allow you to clean the entire caravan quickly and easily.  They are hand-help, and even allow you to reach tricky confined areas.

A well-stocked caravan makes for a simple and enjoyable holiday.  Whilst it may cost a bit to fill up the caravan to start with, it will save you time, money and aggravation in the future.  Of course, a fully-stocked caravan is one you want to keep safe and protected.  Make sure that you’ve got Caravan Insurance to keep your caravan protected.

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Land Rover Discovery Wins ‘Towcar Awards’

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

Not all cars can deal with the difficult task of towing a caravan.  There are power issues, mechanical considerations, and even more practical issues such as vehicle capacity.  Once you’ve found the caravan for you, it might be time to consider the best car to complement it.

Land Rover’s Discovery recently came out on top in the 2010 Towcar Awards, making it the number one choice to adorn the front of your caravan.

The awards were presented by a coalition of three of the foremost caravan organisations, ‘Practical Caravan’ ‘What Car? Magazine’ and ‘The Camping and Caravanning Club’.

Nigel Donnelly, editor of Practical Caravan, offered the definitive verdict on their winner.  “The Land Rover Discovery 4 is an exceptional car for towing. The old model was one of our favourite towcars, but the new Discovery improves upon it in just about every area. You’ll be just as happy with the Discovery when you are not towing. It’s the best car in this year’s tests by some margin, and a more than worthy overall champion.”

The Land Rover, however, had to fight off fierce competition to become the winner.  During the decision making process, the coalition of experts tested 41 cars with various different caravans to determine the top performers from the poor attempts.  Tests included hill starts, practicality, braking and acceleration.

Other awards were offered for categories such as green credentials, ability at towing certain classes of caravan weights and value.

The Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi Style 7st, for example, was awarded the accolade for Best Value 4×4.  At just over £22,000, the Santa Fe offers a fantastic quality of towcar for a thoroughly reasonable price.  “The big Hyundai is one of the best value cars in this year’s tests”, commented Nigel Donnelly.

Skoda performed extremely well at the awards night, picking up two awards.  The Skoda Octavia Estate 1.6 Greenline was highly praised for its fuel economy of 64.2mpg and low carbon dioxide emissions, and was therefore awarded The Green Award.  In addition to environmental advantages, the green credentials of Skoda’s Octavia also results in lower road taxes for users.

Skoda’s Superb Estate 2.0 TDI 170 SE also picked up an award in the 1575-1724kg towing category.  Highlights of this model were its spacious interior and its impressively reliable towing capability.

Summing up the importance of the awards, Matthew Eastlake, The Club’s Marketing & Communications Director said that “The aim is to provide campers and caravanners with the very best and latest information about leading vehicles suitable for towing.

“We believe that this helps our members to take informed decisions about high value purchases and hopefully they are able to enjoy safe, comfortable and enjoyable motoring as a result.”

In fact, around 400,000 cars each year are believed to be purchased for their towing ability, so these awards are important both for consumers and for manufacturers looking to get in on this large market.

You’ll want to make sure that whatever model of car you own is insured to make it road-worthy and to stay within the law.  Equally important, though, is taking out Caravan Insurance. Don’t forget to get everything covered before you set off on the road.

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Caravan Towing: A Beginners Guide

Monday, July 12th, 2010

For many, driving can be a difficult and stressful affair.  For these people, the addition of a large and cumbersome vehicle added on to the back of the car can make a difficult situation lots worse.  Even seasoned and comfortable drivers can find the task of caravan towing a tricky one.

Becoming accustomed to the feeling of towing a caravan and improving driving skills is primarily a case of practise.  Making sure you’ve got everything right in preparation for the trip, though, is something that is easily fixed.  Knowing that you’ve done everything you can to make the journey safe and legal should be a huge comfort to drivers.

First off, you’ll need to check that you are licensed to tow your vehicle.  Depending on whether your license was obtained before or after January 1st 1997, the rules vary about exactly what weight of tow you can pull.  The golden rule is to check your specific license for details, and make sure that you’ve got all the necessary paperwork with you for your trip.  If you’ve got a provisional license, you are not allowed to tow, even if you are with an instructor.

Some vehicles simply aren’t up to the challenge of towing large caravans.  If you try to tow a huge luxury campervan up a steep incline with a small three door car, you might run into difficulty.  You should look to tow with a vehicle that has a long wheelbase and a reasonable amount of power.  The towing vehicle should be in good condition and have been for a recent MOT.  If you are at all concerned about any aspect of the tow, ask your local caravan dealer or garage to offer advice.  They may even be able to give you the tune up you need to stay safe.

Your tow bar is the vital link between your car and caravan.  Of course, it needs to be up to scratch.  Get yours fitted by a trained professional, and ensure that you have learned how to safely attach your tow.  It may seem like a simple process when you are shown, but finding you can’t remember how to couple the vehicles at the end of your holiday can be a frustrating and embarrassing issue.

Speed limits are different for vehicles towing caravans.  Importantly, your maximum speed limit is capped at 60mph, rather than the usual 70mph.  There are also revised rules for lower speed limits on various other roads, such as a 50mph speed limit on single carriageways.  For drivers used to travelling without a tow, this can be a difficult adjustment, and you may well feel like you are slowing up the entire road’s worth of traffic.  If you find it hard to remember, stick a reminder note next to your speedometer.

Your caravan obstructs important safety and information features at the back of your car.  It is a legal requirement that a replacement number plate is clearly on show, and you’ll also need to fit brake lights, directional indicators, reflectors and other safety gear such as wide mirrors.  Make sure you’ve bought and tested all this equipment in good time before your holiday.

Following the ground rules for towing is the ideal start for making the experience as painless and as safe as possible.  Even if you do feel completely comfortable, however, it is always advisable to be covered by Caravan Insurance before you set off.

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