Getting summer-ready: How to prepare for caravan trips

by Natasha Christou Digital Marketing Consultant

With summer upon us, now is the perfect time to start planning the holiday you’ve been waiting for. For many of us in the UK – around 550,000 in fact[1] – this means setting off in a caravan or motorhome in search of the perfect place to pitch up and relax. Whether it be a ‘staycation’ or travelling further afield, the trend for caravan holidays is on the rise. With the option to stop at multiple locations, stay in areas close to natural beauty or simply enjoy the thrill of the open road, caravanning allows for a multitude of holiday options, whilst often saving hundreds of pounds on expensive flights and hotels.

 

Whether you’re a newcomer to the caravanning community or a seasoned pro, one of the main things you’ll want to consider before your holiday is how to prepare your caravan for the trip ahead – particularly in terms of your energy supply. With the right preparations in place, you’ll feel safe in the knowledge that your caravan is ‘summer holiday ready’, no matter what the eventuality.

 

To help you get started, the experts at gas cylinder supplier Flogas – who provide gas bottles for caravans - have put together a handy check-list of caravan preparations, giving you all the info you need for your upcoming excursion:

 

1.      Dodge the damp

After a long cold winter of hibernation, one the most common issues people find when revisiting their caravan is that areas of damp have appeared. If left untreated, damp can cause long-term water damage, so it’s important to pin-point and treat it as soon as possible. Often materials and soft furnishings are the first areas to show signs, but you should always check windows and doors for any cracks or broken seals to identify possible leaks and ensure your caravan is kept water tight.[2] It’s a good idea to properly air your caravan before setting off too, to get rid of any musty smells that have accumulated over the winter period. If you’re short on time, you can use a dehumidifier to speed up the drying process.

 

2.      Check your tyres

If you’re setting off on a trip, checking your tyres is essential. Getting onto the open road and then suffering a flat or even a blowout can be a dangerous and costly experience, and can shorten the time you get to spend relaxing. One way to avoid this is to rotate the wheels of your caravan periodically across the year, particularly if it’s been kept static for long phases – that way the weight of the vehicle isn’t concentrated on one specific area of the tyre for too long.[3] This can help prevent any warping, cracking or bulging.

 

Checking your tyres’ air pressure is also highly recommended. This will not only help identify any slow punctures, it can also save you fuel.[4] Be sure to leave some time to make necessary repairs, as last-minute changes can not only impede on your holiday, but can also prove to be expensive.

 

3.      Get gas-ready

Most caravans rely on bottled gas (or LPG cylinders) for refrigerating, heating and cooking, so for any successful summer holiday trip, it’s crucial you have an ample supply available. One particular benefit of LPG (liquid petroleum gas) for caravans is that it’s so versatile – powering a variety of appliances on the move. What’s more, it’s affordable and provides a lot of energy from a small volume of liquid, making it the ideal choice for your summer caravanning break.[5] It’s also a more efficient, reliable and cleaner energy supply than electric systems.[6]

 

When it comes to bottled gas, knowing how much to take with you can be a challenge. Take too much, and you’ll be carrying unnecessary weight. Take too little and you could find yourself without gas when you need it most. One solution is to choose Flogas’ Gaslight cylinder range, which offers a handy answer to your weight and storage issues. With innovative design features, the Gaslight range offers a host of benefits to help make your holiday run as smoothly as possible:

 

·         Lightweight: Made from plastic and fibreglass, the Gaslight cylinder is around half the weight of a conventional metal gas cylinder or bottle. This is great for lightening the load of your caravan when nose-weight needs to be carefully managed. An in-built handle also makes it easy to lift and manoeuvre.

·         Track your usage: The Gaslight cylinder features a semi-translucent exterior, meaning you can instantly see how much gas you have left. This allows you to easily keep track and plan your usage so that you don’t run out at an inconvenient time.

·         Unrivalled safety: With an unmatched safety record, Gaslight is the safest, most robust cylinder on the market.[7] Opting for a lightweight cylinder can also help reduce your caravan’s overall weight whilst in transit, which makes for a safer drive.[8]

·         Rust-proof: No metal means no rust, which means there’s no chance of any rust stains marking your caravan’s surfaces.

 

4.      Final preparations

Lastly, before you hit the road, it’s always a good idea to make sure that everything is correctly packed and stowed away to avoid any damage to your belongings. This includes making sure that all windows, doors and cupboards are closed and locked. Staying safe should always be a priority, so don’t forget to check your towbar connection and re-position your car’s side mirrors too – to give you as much visibility of your caravan as possible.[9]

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Created on Jul 10th 2019 07:53. Viewed 1,905 times.

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