Quick navigation
- Car & Caravan Loading
- What to Pack for Your Caravan Trip
- Short Local Trips
- Long Trips (and Off the Beaten Tracks)
- Optional Items to Consider Packing for Your Caravan Trip
- How to Pack Your Caravan for Your trip: Tips & Tricks
Car & Caravan Loading
Step 1: Know You Towing Vehicles Limits
When you add 2 adults, 3 kids, the dog, 5 bikes, 2 kayaks, clothes, food, toys, etc etc etc etc. They all reduce your towing capacity and they also lower the rear of your vehicle and the height of your tow ball. They will also affect your vehicle’s ability to apply power when you need it.
Step 2: Know Your Caravan and Braking Limits
Your caravan manufacturer will have designed the weight capacity and weight distribution to ensure safe towing with a fit-for-purpose towing vehicle, with an approved braking system. Every time you add a load or a new accessory, you change this. If the changes you make take the weight of the tow coupling outside of the manufacturer’s specifications then you could be in trouble or your caravan may become unstable. Similarly, if you overload then you could have a number of issues such as:
- Not enough braking capacity
- Suspension failure
- Unstableness
- Increased wear & tear
Yes, it may feel okay driving out of the city, but what happens when you are going down that steep hill and a wind gust hits you or you get into B-double turbulence?
Now I know that the slick salesman sold you a weight distribution system and anti-sway brakes so you can ignore everything about safe loading… Good luck with that. Make sure to go back and let them know how well it worked after you have finished with your insurance claim.
What to Pack for Your Caravan Trip
The first thing to think about is what kind of caravan trip you’re taking. If you’re just driving around locally, you’ll need different things than if you’re going on a long camping trip. Make sure you have everything you need for your specific journey. Think about the conditions and facilities you will encounter along the way.
Short Local Trips
When planning a short local caravan trip, it’s important to pack the right items, but no need to overpack. Here is a list of some essential items to bring with you on your trip.
- Sleeping bags and pillows
- Basic cooking ingredients such as salt, pepper, oil, etc.
- Dishes and cutlery (plates, bowls, cups, mugs, knives and forks)
- Portable BBQ and charcoal/firewood
- Torchlight or a headlamp
- First aid kit
- Insect repellent and sunscreen
- Toiletries such as hand sanitiser, toothpaste and toothbrush
- Warm clothes & wet weather gear
Long Trips (and Off the Beaten Track)
When going on a long caravan trip, it’s important to pack the necessary supplies. These are just a few items that you may want to consider packing for your next camping caravan trip.
- Additional camping gear such as tents, sleeping bags, and air mattresses.
Food and drinks - Emergency and First aid kit
- Toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, hair brush, shampoo, hand cleaner, and towel)
- Insect repellent
- Cooking supplies, make sure to bring a camp stove, pots, pans, plates, and utensils.
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Camping Chairs and Table
- A full emergency jerry can of fuel for your vehicle
- At least 2 full jerry cans of water
- Spare wheel, plus an extra
- Spare parts
- Toolkit
You might also want to take a camera so that you can capture the beautiful scenery.
If you’re travelling with children, don’t forget to pack games and toys to keep them amused. -kids can easily get bored.
And for every caravan trip, you’ll need a good multi-tool. This should have a variety of different tools, such as screwdrivers, pliers and knives, so you can handle most repairs. Make sure the tool is sturdy and well-made, so it won’t break when you need it most.
You’ll also need a few basic tools, such as wrenches and sockets. These can help you fix common caravan problems, like loose screws or bolts. It’s also a good idea to carry a few spare parts, such as lightbulbs and fuses, in case something goes wrong.
If you are travelling in a convoy, pre-plan and allocate each member of the convey items, so as to share the load.
Optional items to consider packing for your caravan trip
If you’re still within your load limits, some other items you may want to consider packing for your caravan trip include:
- a portable generator in case you lose power
- a water filter in case you run out of drinking water
- a canopy or tarp to provide shade
- a clothesline and pegs to dry clothes
And finally, don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure!
How to Pack Your Caravan for Your trip: Tips & Tricks
Here are some tips on how to pack your caravan for your trip:
- Know how much you can load.
- Have a plan on where to load different items to maintain load balance.
- Start by packing the essentials: food, water, clothing, and bedding.
- Make sure to pack everything you’ll need for your trip, including tools, spare parts, and maps.
- Be careful not to overload your caravan; too much weight can lead to instability and accidents.
- Pack your belongings carefully, making sure they’re secure and won’t move around while you’re driving.
- Lastly, always plan ahead and make sure you have everything you need before you set off on your trip.
Ready To Hit The Road?
Whether you’re caravanning across your own country or venturing abroad, make sure you’re prepared for the journey ahead. So what are you waiting for? If you’re excited to hit the road and explore all that nature has to offer, use this information as a starting point and get ready for an amazing trip. If you are considering buying a caravan, take to as many people who own and tow caravans as you can before you talk to the salespeople.