Hiking Backpack Zone

Posts Tagged ‘caravans’

Using a ferry or the EuroTunnel train for the first time whilst towing a caravan can seem daunting. In reality, the process is quite simple, once you know a bit more about what to expect.

Give yourself plenty of time at the ferry or train terminal by arriving early. You will be less flustered and the process will go more smoothly if you do not have to rush things.

Have your passports and tickets ready for when you pull up at check in. Once booked in you will be directed to a waiting area. Whilst in the waiting area turn off the 12V supply to your fridge & other appliances to stop your battery from going flat. Turn off your gas too, you are not allowed to have it on whilst on most ferries or trains.

Certain food products cannot be taken out of the country. The list of prohibited products changes periodically, so check when you book your tickets which foods are on that list. Do not try to sneak prohibited foods through customs. If these products are found in your caravan, you can expect customs to carry out a full search of your car and caravan that can take hours. You are not allowed to take spare petrol onto ferries or onto the EuroTunnel. Pets are allowed, but only with the correct paperwork and they must be booked in advance. You will need extra time to book in your pet, allow at least an extra hour.

When it is time to board, you will be directed to a specific area on the ferry or train. Pay attention and follow all instructions. Leave the car in gear and apply your handbrake and your caravan brake. Take all valuables from your car and caravan, you are not allowed to return to your car or caravan during the crossing.

When instructed to do so return to your vehicle. Once the ferry or train has come to a complete stop, take off your caravan’s brake. When told to do so, take your car out of gear and start the engine. After you have left the terminal, stop and turn the power to your fridge back on. If need be turn the gas back on.

Learn more about Caravan Sales Wales. Visit Vale Holidays to find the best advice on holiday parks for you.

Before you take your caravan abroad remember to check the laws of the country that you plan to go to and the laws of all the countries that you will have to drive through to get there. Familiarise yourself with the traffic signs of each country.

In most European countries everyone in the car has to wear seat belts, and in most European countries the appropriate car seat must be used for babies and small children. You will need a full driver’s licence that covers you for towing a caravan in the countries that you will be driving in. In addition carry your original insurance documentation for both the car and caravan, not just a photocopy. In most European countries you are required to prove that you own the vehicle and caravan, so will also need to carry the original registration documents and/or purchase receipts.

When towing a caravan a sticker for your country of origin must be displayed on both your caravan and your car. You also need to fit headlight converters. In addition, you usually need to carry; spare bulbs for the car, a fire extinguisher, 2 warning triangles, high vis jackets, a tool kit, spare tyre, a jack and a first aid kit. In some countries you also need a spare pair of prescription driving glasses and a full set of bulbs for your caravan. In most countries you are expected to have a special set of caravan mirrors fitted to your car.

Before leaving home get your car and caravan serviced. Make sure that your breakdown cover is for your caravan as well as for your car and covers you for all of the countries that you will travel through, not just for your destination country. Find out if your caravan tyres will allow you to travel at the maximum speed permitted in each country, in some countries this speed is higher than you are used to in your country of origin.

Bear in mind that the gas used in mainland Europe is different from that used in the UK, take the necessary gas adapters with you. Also remember that you can not exchange caravan gas bottles with those from other countries, so be prepared to pay for the bottle too when buying gas abroad.

Learn more about Caravan Sales Wales. Visit Vale Holidays to find the best advice on holiday parks for you.

The majority of owners pack their caravan up for the winter months. Those owners are missing out, you can have some great holidays in your caravan during the winter. Driving conditions are rarely, if ever, bad enough to make towing a caravan difficult or unsafe.

With a little careful preparation you will be able enjoy your caravan all year. Start by planning a weekend away from home. It is best to pick a city break, somewhere that you can go shopping, or go to the theatre as well as on a few bracing walks. Because you will only be away for 2 or 3 nights choose a city that is relatively close to where you live, an hour or one and a half hours journey away is ideal.

Before you set out make sure that your caravan is in good condition for the journey, check that your tyres and lights are all in perfect working order. If you have any gaps around the windows get these fixed before you go. Trying to sleep in a draughty or damp caravan in the winter is nobody’s idea of fun. Also get your heating serviced to make sure that it works well and is safe. Take enough gas with you and an electric heater, so that if you do run out of gas you have an alternative form of heating.

When packing take warm clothes and include something water proof. If you get wet drying out clothes in a caravan is difficult, so make sure you pack an additional change of clothes and an extra pair of shoes.

Just in case of a winter breakdown pack a torch, a spade, an ice scrapper, de-icier, a few extra blankets and a fully charged mobile. If you have snow chains pack these along with a piece of old carpet to use in case you get stuck in snow. Check that your breakdown insurance is valid for the dates that you will be travelling on, some people only buy their caravan breakdown cover for a few weeks or months at a time.

Looking to find the best deal on Caravan Sales Wales, then visit Vale Holidays to find the best advice on holiday parks for you.

If you can take your pets on holiday it is good for everyone. Your pet will enjoy the change of scenery and you will feel more relaxed having your pets with you. In addition, you can save quite a bit of money by avoiding kennel fees.

First check with the site owner that your type of pet is allowed, and what rules your pet and yourself will have to follow. Many sites welcome dogs, but they have to be kept on a lead and cannot be left on site when you are not present. Most sites allow other pets too, but again it is wise to check before booking.

Make sure that your pet will be comfortable in the car during the journey. Letting them travel in the caravan is not a safe option. For cats and dogs a cage in the boot is the best option. Make sure it is big enough to put their bed into along with some food and water. Stop and exercise your pet along the way. Be careful not to put the cage anywhere in the car where there is a draft. Your pet cannot be allowed to get too hot or too cold.

If you are allowed to leave your pet in the caravan when you go out be sure to open a window or vent. Caravans get much hotter than houses, not ventilating the caravan properly could lead to the death of your pet. Leave your pet plenty of water and food. Your pet is in a strange environment, so to reassure them make sure that they have easy access to their normal bed. To ease their fears before leaving for your holiday spend some time with your pet in the caravan whilst it is parked up outside your home.

On some sites you are allowed to tie your animal up outside. You can buy special pegs and long leads to allow you to do this from most caravan and camping shops. If your pet is likely to chew through a nylon lead buy a chain one. Make sure the lead is long enough to let your pet move around comfortably, but not so long that it can get into trouble or badly tangled up.

Learn more about holiday parks. Visit Vale Holidays to find the best advice on holiday home Wales for you.

Putting up the caravan awning causes a lot of stress and arguments for most caravanners. However, with a bit of extra preparation and organisation putting up an awning need not be stressful at all. As with most things the more often you do it, the easier it becomes. Make sure that your caravan is level and on as flat a surface as possible, before you start.

Start by spraying the awning channel on your caravan with a silicone based lubricant. Some people prefer an oil based lubricant, but using this type of product will eventually lead to your awning becoming stained. Put the groundsheet down in the position it needs to be in order for the awning to sit over the top of it.

Lay the awning out in front of the caravan, if the ground is dirty then lay it out on top of the ground sheet. Remove all the zip out panels that you can, this will make the awning considerably lighter and much easier to handle. Now you can begin to feed the awning into the channel on the caravan. One person should feed the awning into the channel, whilst another person pulls the awning through. You may need something to stand on whilst you pull the awning through the channel.

Take the locking pads and fix these in place on your caravan. Lay the awning frame out, on the ground, in the order that it will finally be assembled into. Next install the poles, start with the central roof pole and its leg. Then move on to each of the corners, followed by any additional poles. Install any panels that you removed earlier.

You will now be able to peg out and tension your awning. You need to buy a tensioner to be able to do this, most caravan shops sell them. When you peg your awning out start with the corners, then work your way along the sides. Lastly, put up the curtains, fit the wheel arch draught skirts and install any furnishings you need to start using your caravan awning.

Learn more about holiday parks. Visit Vale Holidays to find the best advice on holiday home Wales for you.

The best place to find spare parts for caravans is a caravan breakers. Caravan breakers often have hard to find parts for an older caravan or you can save money by finding modern caravan parts at a breakers instead of buying them new.

Caravan breakers will usually have a good selection of used accessories and spares including bathroom and kitchen fittings, window or door fittings, lighting, electrical parts, used awnings, mirrors, cupboard doors plus much, much more. When looking for a particular part it is a question of finding the caravan breakers with the part you need in stock. Just ring a few until you find the part you need. Most caravan breakers will offer a postal service if they are not in your local area.

If you cannot get the part from a breakers write or phone the manufacturer of your caravan direct. They usually stock a wide range of parts for their discontinued models. Those that do not have stock themselves will give you a list of dealers for you to contact who may have the part you are looking for in stock.

Owners clubs are an invaluable source of information. They can often help you to locate a part for older caravans as well as newer models. Each model of caravan has various parts that always break, so the owners club is often already familiar with the problem and the part needed to fix the problem. The experience of owners club members will save you time, money and avoid frustration.

If you are looking for a caravan part or even a second-hand caravan try www.freecycle.org. Freecycle members can post items they would like or items they wish to pass on, all at no cost. If you still cannot find the part you want try getting a bespoke part made or have an existing similar part adapted.

Looking to find the best deal on Caravan Sales Wales, then visit Vale Holidays to find the best advice on holiday parks for you.

With babies or very small children, a holiday can seem daunting. A caravan holiday is the perfect solution. Most sites cater for children. They are secure and safe environments for children. As well as being cost effective caravanning is flexible. It allows you to keep home routines in a space that is your own. They allow you to stick to your normal routine and cook the meals your family is used to, with the option of take aways or going out for a meal.

Travelling to the site need not be a hassle especially if you choose one close to home. One that is less than an hour away is ideal. If you go to a static caravan, you can even take the train.

For babies take a collapsible travel cot. You can now buy inflatable ones too. Before buying, check there is enough space available in the caravan. A cot must be placed outside of drafts and with enough space for you to be able to safely lift the baby in and out. Small cots are best. Child sleeping bags are fine for toddlers, but toddlers should not sleep on top bunks. There are usually no restraining bars on caravan beds.

Taking a playpen is a good idea. Usually there is not enough space inside the caravan, but on fine days, you can use it outside. Children like to have a few of their favourite toys with them, so pack a few. Crucially do not forget teddy or their comfort blanket.

Planning ahead for rainy days is the best way to avoid disaster. Look up nearby child friendly attractions, indoor play areas and swimming pools. Make a note of opening times and telephone numbers. If you have GPS make a note of their postcodes too.

Learn more about holiday parks. Visit Vale Holidays to find the best advice on holiday home Wales for you.

Nowadays when people go away in their caravans they still want to be contactable. Mobile phones allow you to call home or send and receive text or mms messages, but this is rarely enough in this fast moving world.

If you want to check your e-mails, enabling the internet connection options on your smart phone is usually enough. Before doing so it is worth checking the costs with your provider and trying it out whilst you are still at home to learn how it works before you set off for your caravan holiday. This way you can also find out if you can cope with replying to your e-mails using the typically small phone buttons.

For some people using their mobile phone to read e-mails is enough. The small size of the screen does not bother them. Check with your mobile phone provider to find out how to set your phone up for internet access and what the costs of using the service. If you are planning to travel to Europe check these rates too.

Some providers offer a free dongle to people who sign a 12 or 18-month contract. Alternatively, buy a cheap dongle first and try the service out on Pay-As-You-Go before signing to a long-term contract. Users that only need mobile broadband a few times a year will find this option best for them.

If you are not sure that accessing the internet via mobile broadband is for you then start with a Pay-As-You-Go service. The advantage of having mobile broadband is that you can access the web using a full size laptop screen. Once you know that mobile broadband is for you consider getting a contract with the provider. If you are already confident that this service is for you go direct to a contract service, most providers will give you a free dongle if you sign up for a year.

It is possible to use an iPhone to make a mobile internet connection, but can be expensive. Currently you have to pay 15 a month for this service, known as tethering. Setting it up for the first time can also be challenging, so get your service provider to talk you through the process before going away

Do not forget that some large caravan sites also now offer cheap connection to their Wi-Fi network. If you are not worried about a slow connection speed, this option could suit you. Some sites also have Internet Cafes on site or nearby.

If none of these options appeal to you then use local Internet Cafes. Making a note of the address, telephone number and opening times before you travel is a good idea.

Learn more about holiday parks. Visit Vale Holidays to find the best advice on holiday home Wales for you.

categories: Caravans, caravan holidays, caravan sales, family holidays, outdoor holidays, touring holidays, camping, caravanning, mobile broadband for caravanning

Due to the economic climate, caravan holidays are more popular with all types of holidaymaker - from young professionals, festival goers and hikers to families and retired couples.

Taking a caravan holiday gives you the ability to control your purse strings more effectively and you can simply rent a caravan whenever you want to go away or could you could even buy your own used or new caravan if the funds are available!

Caravanning is now so cool that everyone is using them. Young families are taking weekend breaks to attend fairs and sporting events. This is in addition to taking traditional holidays at the seaside or in the countryside. Travelling to Europe is also popular.

Caravans come equipped with full kitchens, so you can cook up a storm and save yourself loads of money at the same time. In addition, you can take along a barbeque and make the most of any good weather.

If you have planned to take a break or fancy going away for the weekend on the spur of a moment, then access to a caravan enables you to set off when it suits you. Not only do you not have to book in advance but you won’t find any airport queues, checking in or security to worry about. Caravanning is truly trouble free.

Whether you have planned to take a break or just fancy going away for the weekend, having access to a caravan enables you to set off when it suits you. Another part of the caravans appeal lies in the fact you do not have to book in advance. You can avoid the hassle of airport queues, checking in and getting through security.

Caravans are increasingly viewed as an environmentally friendly way to holiday as the carbon emissions are minimal when compared to air travel. Caravan safety is something that you need to be aware of. Knowing the rules of the road when taking a caravan holiday is important. There are several restrictions when towing. For example, you should not exceed an 85% caravan to car weight ratio, so when your caravan is fully loaded it should not be more than 85% of your cars kerb-weight, or maximum tow weight if this is lower.

You need additional lights and reflectors to keep you safe at night. Remember the maximum speed for a car towing a caravan is 60mph on UK motorways and dual carriageways and 50mph on all other roads, unless of course a lower speed limit is in force at the time.

Caravan insurance is essential, just in case. Whether you have a static or touring caravan, look for insurance that offers protection against accidental damage, fires, flooding, storms as well as theft.

Learn more about Caravan Sales Wales. Visit Vale Holidays to find the best advice on holiday parks for you.

Motor homes or caravans are used all over the world, from America and Britain, to Europe and Australia and are one of the best methods of exploring a country. If you already own a motor home or caravan, you can testify on how convenient they are for travelling around a country. They can help save money in hotel and food bills and are the best option for a long road trip.

A motor home is a complete living unit that is self-driving, as opposed to a caravan that is towed along by another vehicle. Generally, motor homes are used more for travelling around for an extended length of time and some people will live in them for up to a year, whilst caravans are towed to a particular destination and are more common for short breaks.

There are many options available to anyone looking for a caravan to buy. Your budget and requirements will decide whether you buy a luxury new model with all the latest features or a basic second-hand model.

Second-hand or a luxury model, caravans don’t come cheap. You will have the initial cost of purchasing the vehicle and after that you have the insurance to consider, gas to pay for and you will have to maintain the vehicle regularly to keep it in a good condition. Travelling on the road in a caravan gives you the freedom and choice to go where you want, whenever you like and change plans as often as you want.

These are some factors to take into consideration before acquiring your ideal mobile home. The size of the caravan, facilities needed, and lengths of time you think you will be away from home are key factors that will guide you to your decision. There’s also the size of the vehicle to consider. The larger the vehicle the more gas it will need and this will push your expenses up.

Looking to find the best deal on Caravan Sales Wales, then visit Vale Holidays to find the best advice on holiday parks for you.