Dan Cartwright has over 12 years of experience in the caravan and motorhome industry. He is a judge for a number of prestigious leisure vehicle awards and regularly heads off in his motorhome with his family. Every week, Dan shares his insights with the community. Here’s what he has to say this week.
Next week I’ll be at the Birmingham NEC show to spend time judging, walking around and getting very much back into the caravan and motorhome groove. So, I thought it’d be a good time to bust a few of the myths I hear all the time. It’s fair to say there are probably more about caravans, but there are a good few out there surrounding motorhomes too.
Often, I’ll hear these common misconceptions as I’m walking through the aisles at shows. This list is exclusively made up of the myths I’ve come across myself, but if there are any others that you’ve heard then please do let me know. Now, let’s set a few records straight.
Smaller caravans are easier to tow
This is my most commonly overheard myth. At the shows, people often look at the presentations and say “I wouldn’t wanna tow something that big” – it’s rubbish. Any properly weighted caravan combined with an appropriate towcar is as easy to manoeuvre as the next.
In fact, the larger, twin-axle caravans are incredibly stable when towing and very rarely wobble on motorways. As a result, manoeuvring them with a car – particularly in reverse – is a joy. When you’re trying to back into a parking space at Morrisons on the way to your site, these are actually the caravans that will be easiest to handle.
When it comes to towing, the main consideration you’ll need to think about is the length of your car in comparison to the trailer, or in other words, the distance from the hitch to the wheels. If, like myself, you’ve loaded a jetski on the back of a truck, the slightest wheel turn while reversing causes a jackknife. The point is, it’s far easier to reverse a large caravan than a small trailer.
Caravans are cold
I have to hold my hands up and say that as a child, my caravan really was cold. I’d be fighting with the dog for a position in front of the gas fire, constantly waking up to see my breath in front of my face and attempting to get fully dressed under the bed covers.
The thing is, that was a long time ago. Thankfully, the older, colder caravans haven’t stuck around. Those manufactured within the last 15 years generally have been put through a Grade 3 insulation check and built with heating systems capable of raising the temperature from zero to 25°C, in all corners, within two hours.
In my experience, most caravans are quicker to heat up than any house I’ve been in and the thermal insulation maintains temperatures well. So, don’t be put off by hearing this myth.
Caravan and motorhome holidays are cheap
Think about all of the costs involved in heading off on a holiday in your caravan or motorhome and you’ll quickly understand why this statement holds no truth. You need to purchase a rig, equipment and space on a site, just to name a few expenses.
People don’t holiday in caravans and motorhomes because it’s cheap, they do it because it’s their hobby or passion. Additionally, it provides a sense of freedom you just don’t get from jetting off abroad.
All caravanners are old people
Yes, you might see your fair share of older people at sites because it’s a great way to take advantage of retirement. I certainly wish I could spend large portions of my year on holiday! However, there’s such a mix of people, from young couples to mixed-generation families all staying together.
Moreover, so many people are simply using caravans and motorhomes as a conduit to pursue activities they love. Maybe you’d be surprised to know that it’s not a hobby exclusive to older people, but members of our community include F1 drivers, motorcycle racers, rockstars, film stars and even royalty – don’t forget Prince Phillip, who used to take his caravan out for chariot races.
The best towcar is always a 4×4
Nope. It’s all about the combination of car and caravan. We’ve seen things like the Ford Focus winning classes at the Towcar of the Year Awards. You don’t need to buy a big SUV to tow and they’re not always the best.
If you’re heading to the Birmingham show next week, please think about this article. I really will stop you in the aisles if I hear you saying any of the myths above and firmly (but politely) correct you on your errors.
Photo credit: Tim Gouw / Pexels
