Going on holiday with a caravan for the first time is quite exciting. There’s just a bit more to it than when you’re travelling by car or plane alone. You not only have to think about your route and destination, but also about the technical aspects, loading, insurance and driving with a trailer. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be complicated at all. In this blog, we’ll share some practical tips to help you set off on your first caravan holiday safely and well prepared.
How to prepare properly for your first caravan holiday
Good preparation will make your first caravan holiday a lot more relaxing. Of course, you’ll naturally learn more and more as you go along, but following the steps below will help you avoid the most common beginner’s mistakes. In other words, here’s a handy checklist for when you go on holiday with your caravan.
1. Check your caravan thoroughly before setting off
Good maintenance for your caravan It’s not a luxury to have this sorted before you set off, especially if you’re travelling a long distance for the first time. Minor issues that you can easily sort out at home can suddenly cause a lot of hassle when you’re on the road. You should therefore check the caravan’s key technical components well before you set off. These include:
- tyre pressure and the condition of the tyres;
- the performance of the brakes;
- the lights and indicators;
- the coupling and breakaway cable;
- the gas installation;
- the battery and electrical connections.
You should also check the age of the tyres. A tyre may still look perfectly fine on the outside, whilst the rubber has become less reliable due to age. This is something you should check particularly carefully, especially if a caravan has been left stationary for a long time. Next, have a quick look inside. Do all the cupboards close properly? Is the fridge working? Are the connections still secure? And are loose items safely stowed away? These kinds of quick checks take hardly any time at home, but can prevent a lot of frustration on the road.
And by ‘well in advance of departure’, we obviously don’t mean whilst you’re packing. Do make sure you check all the technical components in good time and, if necessary, book an appointment with a specialist. Bear in mind, though, that caravan companies tend to be quite busy just before the summer holidays.
2. Check your documents, insurance and towing capacity
You’ll need a number of documents for a caravan holiday. Be sure to take your driving licence, the vehicle registration certificate and the insurance documents for both the car and the caravan with you. Are you travelling abroad? If so, check in advance whether your insurance is valid there and which documents you’ll need to be able to show whilst on the road. The rules can vary from country to country. You should therefore also check whether you need a green card, an environmental sticker, a vignette or additional safety equipment.
It’s also important to check how much weight your car is actually authorised to tow. The maximum towing weight is stated on the car’s registration certificate. Compare this with the caravan’s maximum authorised mass. Don’t just look at the caravan’s unladen weight. Luggage, gas bottles, water, bicycles and camping equipment all count towards this. A caravan that appears to be within the authorised weight limit on paper may still be too heavy once you’ve packed it up.
You should also check which driving licence you need. A Category B licence does not allow you to drive every combination of car and caravan. This depends on the maximum authorised mass of both vehicles. If the combination is too heavy, you may need a Category B+ or BE licence. If you’re unsure about the weight, you can have the loaded caravan weighed on a weighbridge before setting off. That way, you can be sure you’re travelling safely and in accordance with the regulations.
3. Plan your route and accommodation in advance
Good preparation will make your first caravan holiday a lot more relaxing. Of course, you can decide on the spur of the moment to stay somewhere a bit longer, but especially on your first trip, it’s a good idea to plan a rough itinerary in advance. We recommend booking a few campsites or motorhome pitches in advance during busy periods, such as the summer holidays. Popular campsites can fill up quickly, and it’s a shame if, after a long day’s travelling, you still have to search for somewhere to stay.
When planning your trip, also bear in mind the distances you’ll be driving each day. With a caravan in tow, your average speed will be lower than you might be used to. You’ll also want to stop regularly along the way to stretch your legs or check the caravan. So try not to plan travel days that are too long. Especially on your first caravan holiday, it’s much nicer to arrive at the campsite a little earlier, so you can set up the caravan at your leisure and start enjoying your holiday straight away.
Would you like to go wild camping whilst travelling? If so, always check in advance what the rules are in the country you’re visiting. In some countries, wild camping is permitted, whilst in others it is strictly prohibited.
4. Pack sensibly and pay attention to weight distribution
When it comes to a caravan holiday, it’s not just important that what takes you with them, but also where when you pack it away. A well-distributed load ensures that the caravan is more stable when being towed by the car. You should therefore always place heavy items as low as possible and, ideally, close to the caravan’s centre of gravity. Lighter luggage can then be stowed higher up or further forward or rearward. An incorrect weight distribution can cause a caravan to sway more easily, especially when you’re driving faster or being overtaken by a lorry. You should also draw up a packing list in advance of all the items you’ll need on your journey. Consider, for example:
- kitchenware;
- power cables and adaptors;
- gas cylinders;
- a water and drain hose;
- tools for minor repairs;
- pegs and a hammer;
- spare fuses;
- a first-aid kit (EHBO-set).
Tip: use our Free campervan packing list as a handy checklist before you set off. After all, many of the items you need for a motorhome holiday are also essential for a caravan holiday.
5. Practise driving before you set off
Driving with a caravan feels different to driving a car on its own. That’s why it’s a good idea to get used to it beforehand, before setting off on the hundreds of kilometres to your holiday destination. Are you unsure about certain techniques, or would you like advice on the right equipment for your situation? If so, you can always turn to this Caravan shop in Emmen for personalised advice and the right parts. That way, you can be sure you’re well prepared for the road, with a caravan you can rely on.
With these preparations, you’ll be all set for your first caravan holiday. Take your time to go through everything carefully, and you’ll find that travelling with a caravan is something you’ll soon get used to. Before you know it, you’ll simply be enjoying the freedom of the open road, without having to worry about what you might have forgotten.
What can you expect on your first caravan holiday?
For many people, the first holiday with a caravan takes a bit of getting used to. You drive a bit more carefully than usual, it takes a little longer to set up the caravan, and you naturally discover how everything works as you go along. That’s perfectly normal and is actually just part of the experience. The great thing is that after just a few days, you’ll notice how many tasks become second nature. Hitching the caravan takes less time, you know exactly where everything is, and manoeuvring feels more and more familiar. So don’t be put off if not everything goes perfectly straight away.
Our advice? Make sure your first caravan holiday is a relaxed one. Don’t plan any long days’ travelling, take the time to stop regularly along the way, and, above all, enjoy the freedom that a caravan holiday brings. After all, it’s not about getting to your destination as quickly as possible, but about the journey itself.
Frequently asked questions about caravan holidays
1. Do you need a special driving licence to tow a caravan?
That depends on the combination of your car and caravan. In many cases, a standard Category B driving licence is sufficient, but if the authorised maximum mass exceeds a certain limit, you may need a BE driving licence. Always check this before you set off.
2. What is the speed limit when towing a caravan?
The speed limit varies from country to country. In the Netherlands, you are usually allowed to drive at a maximum of 90 km/h when towing a caravan, whilst different rules apply in other countries. You should therefore always check the traffic regulations at your holiday destination before setting off.
3. What should you pack for your first caravan holiday?
As well as your clothes and personal belongings, practical camping essentials are also important. These include power cables, adaptor plugs, a water hose, gas bottles and basic tools. You might want to use a packing list so you don’t forget anything before you set off. Take a look at our Free campervan packing list for a complete overview.
4. How do you prevent a caravan from swaying?
Proper weight distribution is the most important factor here. Place heavy luggage as low as possible and close to the caravan’s centre of gravity, and ensure that the maximum weight limit is not exceeded. You should also adjust your speed and avoid sudden steering manoeuvres.
Conclusion
Your first caravan holiday might seem a bit daunting, but with the right preparation, it doesn’t have to be at all. By checking the caravan beforehand, taking the right documents with you, packing sensibly and practising driving in advance, you’ll set off on your journey with much greater confidence.
Don’t let it put you off if things don’t go perfectly straight away. It’s precisely on your first caravan holiday that you’ll learn a great deal and discover why so many people love this way of travelling. Before you know it, you’ll be driving leisurely from campsite to campsite, making the most of the freedom that a caravan holiday has to offer.
We hope these tips will help you with your next motorhome holiday. Do you have any questions? If so, you can always send us a message via Instagram.
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