ONE Choosing a Van There is a huge variety of caravans out there to choose from, ranging from tiny two-berths with a basic spec to palatial six births. Prices are equally varied. You could start off with a swish modern van with all the mod cons, but many people start with a second-hand tourer they picked up for less than £1000. But the first thing to consider is what size van you need. How many people will use it and are you likely to have guests? Next, consider your priorities. Perhaps you really enjoy cooking and want a decent sized kitchen. Or do you need lots of storage for holiday items such as inflatable boats or tennis rackets? Another great place to view and compare lots of different types of caravans under one roof is the caravan show. Large shows take place each year at London’s Earls Court (November). Manchester’s GMEX (January), Birmingham’s NEC (February) and there are plenty of smaller regional shows in addition to these. If you are at a caravan show, avoid making an impulse buy. You can get impressive discounts at these events, but it is still worth taking brochures away and giving your purchase further thought. Once you have an idea of what you are after, it’s worth visiting a few dealers to see what is available. Tell the dealer what size caravan you are looking for and what features you consider a priority. Having budget in mind will also help you to narrow down your search. When budgeting, bear in mind all the extra costs you will incur for buying equipment such as water containers and a battery. And that’s not to mention caravan insurance and any modifications you might need to make to your tow vehicle such as fitting a towbar. Many dealerships will have a good selection of ‘quality used’ or nearly new vans. This is a great way to make a saving and get yourself a decent tourer. Once you’ve found your perfect caravan, ask your dealer about finance. Many offer a hire purchase arrangement where you pay for your caravan over a period of time. You should also consider where you are going to store your van. You can keep it on your drive but this could open invitation to thieves. The best option is to keep it at a CASSOA-registered storage site. TWO What to Tow it with
Matching your car to your caravan will make towing stable and safe and you don’t need an expensive 4x4 to do it. Ideally, when fully loaded, your caravan should weigh 85% of your car’s kerbweight. This is the optimum figure for stable towing – it lets you tow as large a van as possible without adversely affecting your outfit’s stability. Stability is not the only issue. Your car’s capability as a tow vehicle is also important. In the car’s handbook you’ll find a figure marked ‘Maximum towing figure for braked trailer’. Your caravan, when fully loaded, must not exceed this figure. The closer your caravan’s weight is to this figure, the more your car will struggle and the more unstable the outfit will be at high speed. This figure is set by car manufacturers as a mechanical limit for the car pulling any kind of trailer and is not an optimum figure for high-sided trailers such as caravans. But no mater how good the engine, you won’t get far without a towbar. Many car manufacturers will factory-fit a towbar, so ask your car dealer about this. You can also try the National Trailer and Towing Association (NTTA) to see if your car can be fitted with a towbar. The NTTA will be able to recommend a qualified fitter. Two respected towbar manufacturers and fitters are Brink (024 7635 2353) and Witter (01244 284500). They will supply and fit the towbar for you. Once you have taken all these facts into consideration, you might decide that your current car is not up to the job and that you need a car better suited to towing. Diesel engines are considered best for towing due to their low-range torque – or power to pull the caravan from a standstill and to accelerate. Many people prefer automatic transmission, which makes for relaxed driving on long journeys and prevents roll-back on hill starts. THREE Getting the Gear Many dealerships will sell you a starter pack at a discounted rate when you buy your van. This will include such items as an Aquaroll (for transporting water from the tap to your van) a container for storing waste water, gas cylinders and an electric lead. A steady-winder (for lowering the caravans legs) should also come with the van. Starter packs contents will vary between dealers, but above items are all essential. Other essentials will include a jack, a wheel brace and chocks, not forgetting a spare wheel, which will cover you in the event of a flat tyre. Security devices such as a wheel clamp and a hitchlock are recommended and might be a requirement of your insurance policy. Towing mirrors are another must from both legal and safety points of view. It is also good practice to use a stabiliser. There are several excellent models on the market that will make your van more stable at speed, or when being overtaken by lorries. Reputable manufacturers include AL-KO, Winterhoff and Straightliner: their models retail for around £250. AL-KO and Winterhoff stabilisers are often pre-fitted, or an optional extra on new caravans. Prices for a basic bar stabiliser (such as one from Bulldog or SAS) cost from £60. These have a simpler mechanism, but are still highly effective. Besides these essentials, there is a wealth of other gear you can buy to make your van feel like home. Mains sockets in the caravan let you use domestic electrical items such as televisions, DVD players, stereos and hairdryers. But if you use too many powerful electrical items at the same time, it can ‘trip’ your power switch. FOUR Time to Tow (Please see a Guide to Towing from the RAC)
Many people feel nervous about towing: but there’s no need. If you can drive a car, you can learn to tow a caravan; and before long you’ll be wondering what all the fuss was about. Basic concepts include taking a wider sweep around corners to prevent the van from mounting the pavement. Parking against the kerb takes some skill, and reversing will take some practice because the van appears to turn in the opposite direction to what you would expect. You must also slow down on hills to avoid snaking, which is when the van moves the car (often compared to the tail wagging the dog). The best way to gain towing skills is to attend a towing course. These are run by The Camping and Caravanning Club (024 7669 4995) and The Caravan Club (01342 326944). Independent courses are run by Drivecraft ( 01327 704597) and Towsafe (01472 315150). Most courses cover everything from the basics of loading and hitching up your van to the ins and outs of reversing. Prices start from £70. You can also do some swotting up at home. The Caravan Courses Handbook, published by the Caravan Club, costs £10 and covers all aspects of towing. The Caravan Handbook by John Wickersham (£12.99) is a useful book, filled with information on towing and caravanning in general. The Caravan Club also produces the video Tow the Line (£8.95). FIVE Finding and Booking a Site
Now for the fun part: planning your holiday. Whether you want a peaceful weekend retreat, or a week of karaoke, barbecues and organised entertainment, there are sites to suit all requirements. Pick up one of our Freedom Touring Parks maps covering the whole of the country and take your pick! You’ll find that most sites now provide electric hook-up, shower facilities and somewhere for you to dispose of toilet chemicals and waste water. Most sites take bookings over the phone and many will send you a postal confirmation. Some will also expect a deposit. By phoning the site, you get the chance to ask any extra questions about facilities or local amenities. It also gives you the opportunity to check what the price includes, since pitch facilities can vary. |