This is a partnered guest post.
With heading overseas for your summer vacation becoming more and more expensive, the stay-cation has proved a popular family-friendly alternative. OK, so I know that the idea of packing your whole family up into one space can be a daunting prospect, so here’s a few tips on how to make it a stress-free experience.
Choosing your caravan
They come in a variety of styles and sizes, and, of course, price tags. Deciding which one will best suit the needs of you and your family takes thought and research. If you have older kids, they may want a bit more space, whilst younger ones are going to need less space but more room to store all their toys.
Although buying a caravan is a big commitment, thinking of it as an investment may help ease the pain of delving into the money tin. It’s something you can enjoy for years to come, through grandkids and – dare I say it – retirement!
Before you set off
Preparation is key. Start getting things ready a couple of weeks before you embark on your camping adventure. Work out how much food you need to take with you for the journey, and how much you can buy when you get there. The more you can take, the less you will spend! Prepare your route and get hold of a sat nav; there’s nothing worse than getting lost in the middle of nowhere with a map that makes no sense, an angry husband and some irritable kids in the back.
Whether it’s you or the other half that’s taking to the driver’s seat, it’s worth giving yourself a few driving lessons to practice maneuvering with the caravan hitched to the back of the car. Get used to how it handles and master the art of reversing until you feel confident enough to take to the open road!
Hitching your caravan
So this is the technical (boring) bit, that looks hard but can actually be very simple with a little team-work. Take a look at your manual because each caravan’s instructions may vary slightly. Firstly, check the nose weight of your caravan, lock all the doors and engage the caravan handbrake. Reverse your vehicle into position, and wind down the jockey to lower the hitch on to the ball.
Check that you can still see the green mark to ensure that the coupling is secure, and make sure that the jockey wheel is wound up. Lock it into ‘In transit’, clip the breakaway cable into the correct position and release the caravan handbrake. Make sure everything is safe, secure, and that the lights are working by driving forwards a few yards and getting someone to check.
Get going!
Now that that bit’s over, it’s time to get there, set up camp and start enjoying yourself! You’ve already checked your route and got your sat nav set up, so sit back and enjoy the view. Before you know it you’ll be there and ready to settle in. Get the kids out of the car to have a run around whilst you set up a little table for dinner. Take a couple of tents with you where the kids can keep their toys during the day, and maybe sleep in if they’re feeling like true campers!
Finally
Pour yourself a glass of wine and, most importantly, relax! You’re now officially a caravanning pro!
This guest post was written by Isabelle Guarella. When she’s not roasting marshmallows over a campfire, you can find her writing at PassSmart.com.
