O
NCE YOU’VE bought your
caravan or motorhome, there’s
really not much more you
need to buy.
The only essentials for a caravan owner
are a towbar for the car, plus one or two
electrical connection sockets attached to, or
adjacent to, the towball. To find out how to
get a towball fitted, go and see your local
caravan dealer or visit the National Trailer &
Towing Association’s website.
You’ll also need to attach extensions to
the overtaking mirrors on your tow vehicle
to allow for the extra width of the caravan.
Most caravan dealers have an accessory
shop, or you could check out one of the
many specialist online suppliers.
Most comprehensive car insurance
policies will cover third party risks when
towing a caravan but you’ll probably want to
insure your caravan comprehensively as well.
The insurance company may well require
you to fit wheelclamps and hitch locks.
for you to sit out on hot summer nights If you’re planning on using your LEFT: Barbecues
ANYTHING ELSE? when the kids have gone to bed. caravan or motorhome at every
are great on a
Not much else is essential, really. For You will also need a caravan ‘leisure’ opportunity and want to make ‘getting
touring holiday, but
caravans or motorhomes you’ll probably battery, which is similar in size and weight away’ as easy as possible, consider
– like at home – be
considerate if you
want an Aquaroll, so that you can collect to the one in your car. stocking up on a second set of cleaning
think the smoke will
water supplies easily when you’re on site. Levelling ramps are useful on sloping materials, toiletries and even a few upset your
This is simply a plastic barrel with a central pitches and they’re usually grooved to give clothes, so you can make last-minute
neighbours
axle and a handle to pull it along. grip to the tyre. Level blocks and chocks of breaks a reality without undue hassle.
TOP: Awnings, like
this one from
You’ll need a gas cylinder for cooking. If aluminium or plastic keep your caravan For bedding, you can take along your
Danish maker
you plan to tour all year round, choose a level on the caravan site. comfy duvet and pillows from home, or Isabella, add a new
propane one, as it works more efficiently at alternatively kit out the van with sleeping
dimension to
low temperatures than butane gas. HOME COMFORTS bags, a second duvet set or one of the
caravanning
For extra accommodation it’s good to buy You’ll probably want to stock the kitchen increasingly popular roll-out combination
an awning. This can be attached to the side with non-perishable foods such as soup, duvet sleeping bags.
of your motorhome or caravan, which has an tinned vegetables, teabags and so on. Of That’s about it. Check your driving
‘awning channel’ built in. You can use this for course, you’ll no doubt want to buy fresh licence covers you for the size and weight
extra dining space, as an additional room for local produce when you’re on your of your chosen touring outfit, and you’re
children or visitors to sleep, or somewhere touring holidays. ready to go touring! a73
Equipment – how much?
Some items are not automatically supplied with a
caravan – gas bottles, a leisure battery and water
carriers, for example. If you buy a used model you might
find some of these items ‘thrown in’. If you buy new, they
make good haggling points. Here are some typical prices
for accessories you will or might need.
Electric caravan mover £750 upwards
Gas cylinder £25 to £30*
Gas refill £13 to 19**
Hitchlock £20 upwards
Leisure battery £50 to £80
Noseweight gauge £11
Towing mirrors £6 to £25
Water carrier £35
Wheel chocks £5 upwards
Wheelclamp £55 to £85
SIMPLE THINGS THAT MAKE TOURING EASIER
FROM TOP LEFT: An Aquaroll water barrel makes collecting water easy work; folding *One-off initial hire charge
tables and chairs are an obvious practical space-saver; make sure your electrics and towbar
** Depends on cylinder size
have been properly fitted; stay on the level with simple lightweight ramps
discovertouring.co.uk DISCOVER TOURING 21
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