By William Coleman
Caravan holidays are a fantastic way to spend time as a family, enjoy the freedom of travel, and visit some wonderful caravan parks throughout the UK and abroad. With the exciting prospect of your next trip, it’s important to ensure you have all the essentials you need for a stress-free and safe holiday.
At CaravanTimes, we’ve spoken with Roundstone Caravans, a caravan specialist in the South East of the UK. Based in Sussex with a family-run showground and accessories shop, the team has useful insight into what caravanners need to keep their tourer in fantastic condition.
So, whether you’re storing your caravan for winter or getting ready to go, double check you’re benefiting from the following maintenance accessories:
Caravan Cover
A caravan cover is a relatively low cost item that can save a lot of time and expense at the start of a new season, or after a period of non-use. Using a caravan cover will protect your caravan from all the weather extremes and keep your caravan fresh for the next time that you use it. A cover also increases security.
Tyre savers
A caravan left for several months may develop flat spots and this can encourage cracking of the tyres. You can help avoid this by either using winter wheels or tyre savers. Roundstone’s well stocked accessories shop always has a good selection of tyre savers to choose from, catering to different tyre types.
Moisture traps
If a caravan is shut up for long periods, air-bound water molecules may generate inside. Moisture traps positioned in washrooms and main living areas will help to alleviate this. Before you set off, double check for moisture and damp in your caravan; if you find moisture and already have moisture traps, consider replacing them.
Caravan shampoo
Having a clean exterior and appealing finish shows pride in your caravan and protects it from rust, stubborn stains and algae. The best and most effective way to keep it clean is by applying special caravan shampoo with a hose attached brush. This is preferable to opting for steam or jet washes which may destroy sealants.
Toilet lubricant
Before any journey check you have toilet lubricant spray as the seals on your cassette toilet system need to be regularly lubricated. Spray lubricant is easy and quick to apply, with the benefit of prevents moving parts from becoming dry, seizing up, and making squeaking noises.
Silicone spray
To keep awning rails lubricated, invest in special awning rail lubricant or silicone sprays. By keeping the rail lubricated, the process of erecting awning is easier and could even save you and your family time. If you find that the rail has become dented, a special rail tool can be used to open it up and ensure it is working properly.
Water purification tablets
After a period of rest, for example at the beginning of the season, it’s important to take time to flush your caravan water system with either water purification tablets or solutions. The tablets work to purify and clean tanks, containers and pipes and keep the stored water supply healthy.
In addition to these accessories, you should also regularly check safety systems such as your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and look to replace the batteries at least annually. By keeping up with ongoing maintenance, you’re in a position to set-off with peace of mind for an enjoyable trip.
