Mistakes To Avoid on Your First Caravanning Trip

Mistakes To Avoid on Your First Caravanning Trip

Setting out on your first caravanning trip can be both exciting and daunting. No longer designated just for the “grey nomad”, caravanning has transformed (especially post-pandemic) into an outlet of freedom for all ages.

But while there is much to look forward for your new adventure, there are plenty of simple mistakes that many less proficient or ‘newbie’ caravanners can make, impacting the overall caravanning/holiday experience.

We’ve compiled a list of common mistakes you should try to avoid on your first caravanning trip. Avoiding these will ensure your journey is as smooth sailing as possible.

BUYING/RENTING THE WRONG CARAVAN

Your caravan is essentially going to be your home on wheels for the entirety of your journey, so ensuring it’s the perfect fit is essential. There are many factors to consider when choosing your caravan, and if ignored – it could all go very wrong.

You must consider how many people you are travelling with, how far you are travelling, and what resources you will need to ensure your smooth trip. For example, if you are travelling with a family of 5, you might want to consider a motorhome rather than a smaller caravan.

OVERLOADING YOUR CARAVAN

Next is finding out your vehicle’s weight rating and towing capacity. It is essential that you pack only what you need, to ensure your vehicle is within a safe and legal weight limit.

If your caravan is too heavy, you are placing unnecessary strain on it which will affect how your caravan runs as well as create major implications on the caravan in the long term. Not only is towing an overweight van illegal, but it is also very unsafe and can lead to unwanted accidents.

Seasoned caravanners additionally incorporate emergency breakaway systems into their vehicles that automatically activate should a trailer detach from the tow vehicle. Solutions such as TrailSafe also take convenience a step further by using the caravan’s house battery to power brakes in a breakaway situation.

Trailsafe to avoid your first caravanning trip mistakes

FORGETTING TO CARRY EXTRA FUEL

Before embarking on your caravanning journey, it is crucial to consider the things that might go wrong at any given time. As pessimistic as it sounds, this is truly a case of ‘prevention is better than cure’.

It is extremely important that you carry extra fuel in a jerrycan, to reduce the risk of running out of petrol and being stranded in the middle of nowhere. Check with both your insurance company as well as the state regulations whether it is legal to carry fuel within your caravan and ensure you are carrying it in approved fuel containers for safety. This will provide you with a sense of comfort knowing that you will not get stranded in the middle of woop woop with no petrol station in sight.

CHOOSING THE WRONG CAMPSITE

Believe it or not, choosing the right campsite has the power to affect your caravanning trip. Particularly in peak touring season, caravan parks are extremely busy and often you will have limited options.

Not only should you be familiar with the caravan you are driving, but you should also consider how you can safely get in and out of your site. The chosen site should cater to the size of your caravan to avoid any potential accidents that can occur. If you are travelling with a family, you may also want to consider a campsite that is kid-friendly with the added benefit of keeping the little ones entertained whilst you enjoy some ‘RnR’.

NOT TAKING THE CARAVAN FOR A TEST RUN

Another common mistake is that people get too excited and forget to test drive their unit. It is a crucial step to take to ensure that your vehicle is operational and that you are comfortable driving it. The aim here is to identify any issues before you leave and reduce the risk of finding any major issues whilst on the road.

Whilst there is no rule book that tells you how to enjoy your caravanning journey, there are certainly steps you can take to ensure your safety. Avoiding these common rookie errors will provide you with confidence that your trip will be smooth, and you will avoid any unfortunate situations.

Get in touch with us to see how we can help power your adventures.

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