How to stay cool in your caravan or motorhome: Busting the myths

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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.

We are finally at the stage of summer where the weather is delivering what’s expected of the time of year. It has come much later than usual and it’s not consistent, but as we head into the summer holidays, it’s worth asking how to stay cool in your caravan or motorhome.

There’s a lot of myths to dispel on the subject and other things to try. My advice comes from years of experience, so I’m not steering you away from techniques I haven’t tried myself. If your solution is climate-controlled air conditioning, you can stop reading now.

Air con is always going to be the best option, but most people who don’t already have it are unlikely to be investing in it now. So, if this is you, what should you do and not do to keep your leisure vehicle cool when the sun finally shines more regularly?

Pitch up in a shaded area

One of the most effective things you can do to prevent the heat from building up in your caravan or motorhome is to choose your pitch carefully. Park up in a shaded spot as opposed to one where the sun will beat down on your leisure vehicle all day.

As the sun moves over the sky, the shade will shift. So, think about when you’re most likely to be spending time in your caravan. If you’re an early riser who returns mid-afternoon to spend time in the campsite, then make sure you’ve got the shade at this time of day.

For those who enjoy a leisurely morning on site, before being out all afternoon and evening, then pick a spot with morning shade. This one factor, when combined with looking at the amount of airflow at different positions within the campsite, will have the most impact.

Be sure to choose your shade carefully.

Don’t introduce a wet element

Putting bowls of ice in front of fans is one of the most commonly touted myths about cooling down a caravan or motorhome, but it’s a terrible idea. There’s such a huge temperature differential between the inside and outside, you can cause a lot of moisture, which gets into your soft furnishings and onto your surfaces.

While the first time you do it, it may feel like there’s cool air blowing at you, the next day the moisture in the furnishings will start to evaporate. Then you end up with a hot and humid caravan or motorhome. It’ll also be harder to dry out when you put it into storage at the end of the season, often resulting in a damp smell when you come to use it next spring.

So, avoid any form of wet cooling options.

Awnings don’t shade the side of your leisure vehicle

Using awnings on the side of your caravan with the aim of keeping it cool is the worst thing you can do. I’ve seen it offered as advice often, but having tried it in practice and due to a basic understanding of science, I know it doesn’t work.

The theory behind it is that the awning on the side of your caravan will be hit by the sun instead of the rays reaching your leisure vehicle. In reality, your white caravan or motorhome will reflect light and heat, absorbing less than the blue or green-coloured awning.

These dark-hued awnings will heat up very quickly, creating a microclimate of even hotter air on the outside of your caravan, while at the same time removing the air flow. These are two things that would make your leisure vehicle stay as cool as possible.

If you do need an awning, for storage purposes for example, then open it up on hot days. Roll up all the doors and walls to promote the movement of air around both the awning and the caravan. You’re also likely to pitch up on grass, so the transpiration from the plants can make awnings humid if you don’t let fresh air in.

Get air to flow through your awning or remove it.

Move air around your caravan or motorhome

Make sure the air temperature in your caravan or motorhome is always the same as or lower than outside. It must be able to freely move between the interior and exterior to stop things like excess condensation, which will affect you the next day. Ideally, have your windows open and a fan going.

You may also want to consider moving the fan to the kitchen area when you’re cooking to help disperse the latent heat from the oven or cooker.

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/Raphaël LR

What would you include on a touring road trip playlist?

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Picture the scene; it’s you and your loved ones in your towcar or campervan with the open road ahead of you and a summer touring trip underway.

So, what have you got on shuffle? The tunes we listen to on holiday help form the basis of many happy memories and are remembered for years to come.

Music streaming giant Spotify has a whole category of tracks selected for their cruiseability and organised by genre, decade, time of day, movie soundtrack and even how well you can scream them in your leisure vehicle.

The staycation experts at Pure Leisure have combed through Spotify’s road trip playlists to identify the most popular options for your next road trip.

A spokesperson for the holiday company said: “There we have it – a hand-picked selection of road trip-ready anthems from some of Spotify’s most-liked playlists.

“Now you’ve got some inspiration, it’s time to add your favourites to the mix. If you

need some more help, you can always add collaborators to your playlist so your passengers can join in with the fun.”

Songs to Sing in the Car

With 10.8 million likes on Spotify, the Songs to Sing in the Car playlist is made up of 100 tunes, featuring the likes of Natasha Bedingfield and The Eurythmics.

What makes this selection so appealing is the number of tracks everyone will be able to sing along to, including Tracy Chapman’s iconic Fast Car.

Running for five and a half hours, there’s a good chance you’ll have arrived at your first campsite before you get through the entire playlist.

Classic Road Trip Songs

Classic Road Trip Songs does what it says on the tin and some 6.1 million people have given it a like on the music streaming app.

For six and a half hours, you’ll be served up tracks from the ‘60s up to the ‘90s and everywhere in between.

With David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac and The Human League, there’s a good chance you’ve played these tunes to your kids on road trips before, or you’ve heard your parents singing along to them on family holidays.

My Life is a Movie

No, My Life is a Movie isn’t a collection of show tunes but songs that give those who hear them the main character energy in an epic way.

This playlist has a more modern vibe to it than some of the others, but 1.9 million fans have still given it their seal of approval.

Expect to hear the likes of Modest Mouse, M83 and Chappell Roan coming out of your towcar or campervan’s speakers.

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/Will Truettner



Ribble Valley Holiday Park wins Transformational Tourism Award

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A holiday park in Lancashire has won a prestigious tourism award after its team gave “exceptional customer service” while the site underwent an extensive upgrade.

Ribble Valley Holiday Park offers pitches for touring caravans, as well as glamping pods, lodges and static caravans.

It won the Transformational Tourism Award for the work, which was carried out under the challenging conditions of the Covid pandemic.

The improvements included doubling its holiday home capacity; upgrading the site services; and resurfacing all the roads and pathways within the park.

A brand new children’s play area was constructed, the bar area extended and a new dog walking section put in place to ensure there are facilities to suit everyone’s needs at the family-friendly site.

Tom Pridmore, tourism officer for Ribble Valley Borough Council, said: This business has undergone extensive upgrading and expansion whilst maintaining excellent service and continuity during the development works.”

The Ribble Valley Holiday Park was previously known as Rimington Leisure Park before being acquired by the Holgates group in 2019.

Holgates is a family-owned business, which was begun in 1956 and has grown to include ten holiday parks across Cumbria and Lancashire.

Many of them are perfectly positioned for enjoying the beautiful scenery and captivating wildlife of the Arnside and Silverdale National Landscape.

Other Holgates parks include Silverdale with its views over Morecambe Bay; Beetham, which has won several environmental awards; and Silver Ridge, where caravanners can enjoy a woodland setting.

Michael Holgate, director of Holgates Holiday Parks, said: “The Stars in Tourism Award is a testament to the effort and dedication of our team at the Ribble Valley Holiday Park and we are delighted all their hard work is being recognised.”

Visitors to Ribble Valley Holiday Park benefit from a peaceful, countryside location with views across to Pendle Hill.

It’s popular with hikers, due to a wide selection of walking routes, while those who like a little more hustle and bustle can stop by the nearby towns of Skipton, Clitheroe and Colne.

A little further afield but still within striking distance are Ilkley, Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales, making the park a good base for exploring.

The big tent set-up has gone too far

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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.

I love the diversity of the camping and leisure world. It’s great being on a campsite and seeing everything from vintage motorhomes to hiking tents and A-class leisure vehicles with everyone there enjoying themselves.

It’s an incredibly fun, friendly and inclusive environment, so I do feel a little bad for calling out one subsection, but I’m going to! I just don’t understand the big tenters. Last weekend was CampDad and I was among 12 dads and 32 kids. If I thought the tent rigs that the other dads had last year were big, this year they reached lunacy.

Comfort and economic unviability

The dads in question seem to be cutting off their nose to spite their face in terms of the fun they could be having. I’m a self-confessed tent purist, believing that tents should be the conduit to enjoying something else, whether it be an activity, a place or the company around you.

It should always be the case that the tent and your equipment should be light, portable and quick to put up. This approach means accepting some of the shortcomings camping has to offer. At best, cooking is done in one pot on a single burner, you sit on the ground, use torches and charge your phone from the car.

Now, a lot of the other dads had huge set-ups. I’ve totted up the base level gear they’ve got and realised it comes to between £3,000 and £4,000. If you don’t believe me, let’s take a look:

That’s a total of £3,660.81 without taking into consideration around £250 of sundries that generally come included with a caravan. These include things like lights, speakers and water storage.

Big tent set-up versus a caravan

With all of this in mind, I decided to compare these expensive set-ups with a caravan. I found a perfectly good Bailey Pageant Series 5 model, which is secondhand and available near me for £3,000. It allows you to drive up, hook up and drive away with everything you need including a porch awning and an aquaroll.

There’s proper beds, mattresses, cupboards for storage, four-ring gas burners, oven, heating, lighting, a toilet, a shower and running water. The big tenters have spent a vast amount of money and they’re nowhere near that level of comfort. 

When it rains, they’re still cooking outside. This comes from someone who camped at the weekend in a set-up that came to around £200 and was erected in 15 minutes. That’s what I accept as camping. There were six generators on our pitch at the weekend, which were there to do things like charge mobile phones and plug in fairy lights.

Overpacking

Above all, there’s no space in a car to transport the kids’ bikes and toys and paddling pools that they’re going to enjoy when it’s completely loaded up with the camping kit. Many of the dads needed a trailer to bring their bulky kit to DadCamp this weekend and some didn’t have the space to bring their kids. They had to be picked up and dropped off separately, enlisting the mums in some cases.

With a caravan, you will need a towcar, but at least that means you can fit the kids in. CampDad started at 11am on Friday, but the children didn’t finish school until 4pm, so those five hours were spent pitching the tents, erecting the folding kitchenettes and arranging the windbreaker.

This was all for just two nights and when it came to pack down, it took three hours. And after all of that, they still had to cook outside, walk to the toilets in the middle of the night with their kids and everyone was cold after dark, because no matter how much money you spend, it’s too dangerous to have heating in a tent.

The cycle

It’s not that these dads set out to spend this much money on camping kit. It starts out with them buying a tent and then a bigger one, which is followed by relatively small purchases to make the experience more comfortable, but these little increments still add up to a lot of money.

Before you know it your price point is within the realm of a caravan, but what’s worse is that the caravan has been deconstructed to put into a car to transport to a campsite and try and replicate the comfort of a caravan. All of this is done less successfully than a caravan and at an increased cost.

A caravan, in comparison, takes around 20 minutes to set up when you arrive at your destination. Then there’s the question of where to store all of this camping gear when they get home. Instead of filling the garage with it, they could just have a caravan parked on the drive that is ready to use whenever it’s needed.

Caravans hold their value

Another thing to remember is that caravans hold their value while tents don’t. Nobody will want to buy an old, slightly broken camp set or secondhand tent. It’s flimsy by design, because it needs to be lightweight and foldable, which means that it breaks easily. Caravans have some residual value, meaning you can sell up and upgrade without losing out.

 

Photo credit: Pexels/Matheus Bertelli



A selected history of Bailey caravans

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It’s been over 75 years since the first Bailey caravan was built and leisure vehicle technology has come a long way in the intervening years.

Now, caravan specialist Ropers Leisure has taken a look back at some of the milestones the manufacturer has seen since Martin Bailey built the Maestro in 1947 and sold it for £200.

James Roper at Ropers Leisure, said: “Seeing how far they have come over the past 75-plus years is astonishing. From humble beginnings as simple mobile shelters, caravans have transformed into sophisticated, modern homes on wheels, reflecting technological advancements, design, and consumer needs.”

Back in the beginning…

It all began back in 1947 when the UK was still recovering in the aftermath of the Second World War and caravans were basic models with limited space.

After creating the Maestro and selling it at Ashton Gate market in South Bristol in 1947, a year later F G Bailey Ltd was established and produced two caravans every week.

By the 1950s, Bailey was ready to extend the range of caravans on offer, with the Minor and Maritza both offered to the holidaying public.

It was the introduction of the 18-foot Maison that was the introduction of a caravan as a home in response to the post-war housing shortage.

A change of hands

In 1977 Martin Bailey sold the still relatively new company to Patrick and Stephen Howard, who have continued to own the business right up to the modern day.

They’ve overseen plenty of innovation in their time and in 1982 the first Bailey Pageant was produced. This model would go on to be the company’s most successful product line and stay in continuous production for 25 years.

Five years later, it was decided the Pageant needed a sister and the Senator was introduced, complete with blown air central heating and an integrated cassette toilet system as standard.

Weathering the storm

By the late ‘80s, the economic backdrop was tough, but that didn’t stop Bailey from expanding. It was during this time that the South Liberty Lane site was tripled in size.

This coincided with a large investment in advanced digital production machinery to take caravan manufacturing to the next level.

In 1996, the market was in need of an affordable caravan and the Ranger was introduced at less than £10,000 to meet the demand.

Innovating into the new millennium

The 2000s were all about innovation for Bailey, with more robust, durable and lighter caravans rolling off the production line, thanks to the Alu-Tech construction system.

In 2011, Bailey branched out, launching its first motorhome, the Approach SE, featuring an Alu-Tech body shell on an AL-KO chassis with a Peugeot cab.

Royal approval came the next year when Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Bailey at South Liberty Lane to celebrate its 65th anniversary.

Big Adventures

Since 2015, Bailey has been hosting its Big Adventures, with trips to Australia, Finland’s Arctic Circle, Istanbul and most recently, the Sahara Desert.

The Sahara Challenge was originally begun in 2020, but the leisure vehicles only got as far as Sagres in Portugal before turning back due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Three years later, they would set off from Sagres once more and finally make their ultimate destination in Morocco.

Modern challenges

Having become a carbon-neutral business in 2022, Bailey celebrated its 75th anniversary the following year, which was marked with the introduction of the Endeavour campervan.

Environmental initiatives and sustainable growth are at the forefront of Bailey’s plans, as it looks towards the future.



Tickets on sale for the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show 2025

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Tickets have gone on sale for Scotland’s largest premier outdoor living event, which is set to be held early next year.

The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Show is scheduled to take place at the SEC in Glasgow from February 6th to 9th.

Now in its 39th year, the show is an opportunity to explore the latest motorhomes, caravans, holiday homes and boats, as well as a 207 sq m travel accessory superstore.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, looking to upgrade your current model or simply keen to see the latest innovations in the leisure vehicle market, there’ll be something for everyone.

Jillyanne Glen, show manager, said: “Caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes are the perfect investment for anyone who enjoys being able to pack up and shoot off to wherever their heart desires at the drop of a hat.

“The flexibility which these kinds of holidays offer is unmatched, and that’s what keeps spiking interest from a wide range of audiences every year – from young professionals and families looking forward to the next stage in life, to retirees and everyone in between, our attendees are as varied as our product range.”

Chat with experts

Events like the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show are a great opportunity to talk to experts about all areas of the leisure vehicle lifestyle.

This can be everything from purchasing a new motorhome to chatting about which awning to buy or exploring different insurance options.

The exhibitors and associations in attendance have hundreds of years’ worth of experience and expertise between them, meaning the show will serve as a hub for visitors to gain valuable insight on all things touring from the best in the business.

Among the experts will be representatives from leading leisure travel association the Caravan and Motorhome Club.

They will be hosting talks, panel discussions and Q&As on a vast number of topics for those eager to learn more about life on the road.

Brush up on your skills

Visit the Caravan and Motorhome Club at stand 4050 to book a 20-minute manoeuvring taster session to improve your driving skills.

Whether you’re new to driving a leisure vehicle or looking to improve, the qualified instructors will give you hints and tips to stay safe and tow or manoeuvre properly.

Farmers’ market

If one of the things you love about the leisure vehicle lifestyle is travelling around to find local delicacies to try, then the farmers’ market at the show will delight your senses.

Hosting over 15 artisan producers with more than 400 varieties of locally produced award-winning products, the event features some of Scotland’s most delicious wares.

Tickets

Tickets are priced at £14 for general admission and £13 for those over 60. Children up to 15-years-old and carers can attend for free.

As the tickets have already gone on sale, those planning on visiting the show should make their purchases early to avoid disappointment.

Safe road trip prepping for summer

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Road trips are a quintessential summer experience and becoming an increasingly popular way to explore the UK, with ‘staycation’ and ‘road trip’ gaining 16 million engagements on TikTok in the last week alone.

Staying safe on a road trip, especially if towing a caravan, starts with your car and there are many ways you can ensure it’s in the best condition for a long journey.

Vehicle maintenance experts at Collect Service Go have issued their advice on the best approaches to take before your trip.

Ollie Green, owner of the company, said: “Whether you have your own car, or are opting for a rental, it’s important to ensure that the vehicle is fit for long drives for the safety of yourself, your passengers, and other road users.”

Pre-trip checks

A number of pre-trip checks should be carried out with plenty of time to rectify anything should they highlight an issue:

Tyres

Start by checking the part of the car that is in contact with the road. Adjust the tyre pressure where necessary and inspect for any signs of wear and tear.

Ensure the tread depth is at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters section of the tyre. You can use the 20p coin trick as a guide, which states that if the outer band of the coin is obscured when inserted, your tread is above the legal limit.

Fluids

Take a look at the engine oil, brake fluid and coolant levels, topping up any that are low. Don’t forget to fill the screen wash fluid reservoir and ensure the wipers are functioning effectively.

Not being able to see clearly out of the windscreen is a safety hazard and one that can easily appear mid-journey if something hits the glass.

Battery

All car batteries over three years old should be tested to see if they can still hold their charge, as it’s known their performance can deteriorate over time.

It can be a good idea to store a set of jump leads in your car or caravan for long journeys just in case, as you don’t want to find yourself unable to drive away from your pitch at the end of a camping trip.

Lights

Test all of the exterior and interior lights on your vehicle, including indicators, brake lights and headlights.

Replace any bulbs that are dim or not working, or you risk being given a fixed penalty fine of £60 with three penalty points on your licence if you’re pulled over.

Steering and brakes

When it comes to suspension and steering, check for unusual noises or handling issues and ensure the steering feels smooth and responsive.

For your brakes, ensure they are reactive and listen for any strange sounds that could indicate there’s a problem.

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/Tim Mossholder



Dan’s top tips for attending festivals with your leisure vehicle

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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.

The summer festival season is upon us and I’ve just returned from ClubFest, which is run annually by the Caravan and Motorhome Club. It was held at Weston Park in Shropshire this year and since the National has rebranded as ClubFest, it’s grown from strength to strength.

It’s become more accessible, with a much younger and more family-oriented crowd and the activities available reflect this. Live music is one of the biggest draws – with Toploader and Jason Donovan headlining in 2024 – but there’s also kids’ entertainment, watersports and wellness sessions.

Costing around £350 for a family of four, ClubFest represents good value for money, with everything you could possibly need on site. That includes electric hook-ups, shops, bars and pop-up street food stalls, keeping visitors well fuelled over the four-day festival.

The UK’s festival scene and beyond

Whether your idea of a festival is Glastonbury, Benicassim or the annual Metal Detectorists Meet-up, it’s time to get involved. Leisure vehicles make festivals so much more enjoyable – from having a comfy bed to a fridge to store your food in – turning what can be a chaotic experience into an enjoyable one.

There are lots of people starting their own festivals as a way to participate in their favourite activities or just bring groups of friends together. I’m off on my second annual CampDad festival this weekend, which started as some dads and their kids from school, but has grown to take over an entire site.

Whatever weird and wonderful thing you love to do, why not get your friends together in a bunch of tents and leisure vehicles to spend a weekend doing it?! If you’ve started your own festival or are planning on attending something quite niche, reach out to editor@caravantimes.co.uk or contact us on X/Twitter to let us know. We’d love to hear about it.

Festival tips

From someone who’s been there and done it, here’s my advice on attending a festival in your leisure vehicle:

Arrive early and depart late

Get on site early and expect to depart late. There are many reasons for this, but the most important one is the likelihood of rain, which will mean leisure vehicles driving across soft pitches will make entry and exit routes difficult to navigate.

Be among the first to arrive while the ground is still solid and leave after the rush of people spinning their wheels on grass slopes has gone. Then you’ll have the time, space and freedom to pick the best route out of the site at your leisure.

Pack for a caravan, motorhome or campervan holiday

Just because you’re going to a festival doesn’t mean you’re not going to need the things you always take on a trip away in your leisure vehicle. All the items that make your stay comfortable – warm wear to walk to the shower block in the evening, a toolkit and a step to get into your van – are essentials.

Additional festival clothes can also come along, as well as inflatable hats if you like, but remember that underneath it all, it’s still a camping trip. If you’re a seasoned caravanner or motorhomer, you’ll have honed your packing list over time, so don’t abandon it now.

Don’t expect to venture off site

Take everything you’ll need for the whole weekend with you, as relying on being able to pack up your motorhome and nip off to a supermarket to restock halfway through the festival is unrealistic. Assume you’ll enter once and leave once.

This can mean prioritising space around essentials like food, taking one less bottle of wine to make room for an extra packet of spaghetti, but you need to weigh those decisions yourself. One thing I would say is that at commercial festivals, beer is readily available, whereas vegetables are harder to come by.

Review festival restrictions

Many festivals have rules around certain items, such as glass bottles, so it’s important to review these in advance so you’re not caught out at the gates. Potentially think about stocking your leisure vehicle with plastic cups and reusable water bottles instead of glass.

There are also sometimes restrictions on other things too, so check the specifics for the particular event you’re attending. Don’t assume all festivals have the same policies, as they all differ and there can be changes from year to year.

Expect noise

While not all festivals are music festivals, they are universally noisy, because they’re tightly packed. ClubFest spaces caravans fairly generously, but most events are cramming leisure vehicles close together.

Some attendees will be at the festival to party all night, so don’t expect lots of space and silence at 10pm. Go with the flow and enjoy the experience, instead of letting it ruin your time away.

 

Photo credit: Pexels/Pavel Danilyuk



Banish mosquitoes from your leisure vehicle this summer

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The summer months are a great time to go exploring in your caravan or motorhome, but with the warmer temperatures also come mosquitoes.

Anyone who has tried to sleep in the confines of a leisure vehicle with the buzzing of even a single mosquito inside will know it’s infuriating.

It’s important to protect yourself from bites from both a health and comfort point of view, which means banishing mosquitoes from your caravan or motorhome this summer.

With this in mind, WinstonsBeds.com has shared some of its top tips for keeping mosquitoes at bay when you’re sleeping, while the CaravanTimes team also imparts some of its expertise.

Rebecca Swain, expert at the company said: “Mosquito bites on holiday can be a real pain but it’s important to remember not to itch them or else they can become infected.

 “Mosquitoes are attracted to a range of things that are out of our control such as sweat and blood type. However there are a few things you can do to try and deter mosquitos away from your body in general.”

Avoid certain strong scents

There are a number of strong scents that are appealing to mosquitoes, so avoid perfumed body lotions before bed.

Also, remove the air freshener from the cab of your motorhome, as it may be welcoming the critters in.

Try lavender and citronella instead

Other fragrances, like lavender and citronella, actually work as a natural mosquito repellent, so you can use these liberally.

Applying lavender oil to your wrists or the windows around your caravan can work well, while burning a citronella candle under your awning can protect you in the evenings.

Keep your leisure vehicle cool

A cool environment can be conducive to sleeping in the summer months and has the added benefit of deterring mosquitoes.

It may be worth investing in an air conditioning unit from the likes of Truma, DualClima or Teleair if your caravan or motorhome isn’t already fitted with one.

Turn off lights if your windows are open

If cooling your leisure vehicle is less high-tech and requires you to open the windows, make sure you don’t leave the lights on, as mosquitoes are attracted to them.

Installing some mesh over the windows can help to keep mosquitoes and other bugs out if you know you’re going to require added ventilation.

Wear long-sleeved clothing

Whether you’re sitting out under your awning in the evening or tucked up in bed at night, wearing long sleeves and full leg trousers is a good preventative measure.

In warm climates this can feel unnatural, so it’s worth buying lightweight, breathable items that mean you won’t be too hot.

Use a motorhome mosquito net

Unlike traditional mosquito nets that are positioned over the bed, options for motorhomes often fasten over the door to protect the whole vehicle.

Some of these fly screens are designed to allow humans access, but snap shut behind you, minimising the chances of mosquitoes and bugs getting in.

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/Tom Allport



What you need to know about roof tents

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Roof tents, which enable campers to convert cars into leisure vehicles with sleeping areas, are gaining in popularity, with over 24,000 online searches for them in the last month alone.

The benefits of roof tents include sleeping above the ground, convenient pitching and a robust, durable structure.

With so many people turning to roof tents for summer adventures, it’s worth remembering certain rules, regulations and guidelines to stay safe and secure.

Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, said: “Although a roof tent gives drivers the freedom and flexibility to camp at their leisure, there are some key things to remember when considering whether or not to attach a roof tent to a vehicle this summer.”

Installation

When installing a roof tent, your vehicle needs to be fitted with roof bars for it to be attached prior to setting off on your camping trip.

In our experience at CaravanTimes, this is the time-consuming part of the process. Once your roof tent is fitted atop your vehicle, you could be set for the whole summer.

Combined weight

Before starting to attach the tent, it’s important to know the roof load capacity and not exceed it with the combined weight of the tent, its occupants and any additional personal items you’re intending to put inside.

Mr Conway said: “Vehicles have two types of roof weight limits – dynamic (while driving) and static (when stationary). Generally, most cars have a dynamic weight limit of around 50 kg – 75 kg but can support a much higher static load, often at least five times greater than the dynamic roof load limit.

“You can check the weight limit of any vehicle by checking the user manual or the sticker on the door of the driver’s seat.”

Work all of this out before you buy a roof tent, taking into consideration how many people you’re expecting to sleep in the tent at any one time.

Also remember that the roof bars and mounting gear carry weight too, so these must be factored in so as not to exceed the limit and potentially damage your car.

Mr Conway warned: “Always err on the side of caution and check your limits. And remember that being caught with an overloaded vehicle can see you handed a £300 fine and three penalty points on your licence.

“In more extreme circumstances, and if your overloaded vehicle has contributed to a severe accident, you could be charged with dangerous driving.”

Consequences of additional weight

Once your roof tent is installed, you’re likely to need to change your driving style, as the additional weight will affect the car’s handling and fuel efficiency.

While roof tent manufacturers make their products to be as aerodynamic as possible, your car’s centre of gravity will still be higher than usual.

If you’re taking your roof tent on a long-distance road trip, remember that your fuel might not get you as far as you think, so be prepared to top up more often when your tent is attached.

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/Michael Aleo



Honeymoon mistakes not to make

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Honeymoons come in all shapes and sizes, and if you’re an outdoors-loving couple then getting away post-wedding in a caravan or campervan might be the perfect way to start married life.

That’s only if you don’t fall into some common honeymoon traps, however. Luckily, the experts at StressFreeCarRental.com are here to steer you in the right direction.

John Charnock, the company’s CEO, said: “Your honeymoon is the trip of a lifetime so you want everything to run smoothly and according to plan.

 “While you’re booking your honeymoon it’s likely that you’ll also be planning your wedding which means you have a million and one things to think about.

“Unfortunately this means a lot of couples end up making some mistakes when it comes to booking their honeymoon.

Not checking the season

Since it’s your honeymoon, there’s a good chance you might be going further afield than you would on a regular holiday and that can mean exotic climates.

Check what sort of weather you can expect for the time of year before making your holiday plans and then have another look at the forecast closer to your departure date for any unseasonable changes.

Relying solely on social media for recommendations

Even if your caravan or motorhome makes you pretty much self-sufficient in terms of a shower and kitchen, you still want the facilities at your campsite to be up to scratch.

Don’t just assume that the pictures and videos you see on social media are an accurate portrayal of campsites or local restaurants. Back up your choices with independent research.

Not booking adult-only sites

Adult-only campsites are a great idea for your honeymoon, as they set the mood in a way that parks full of families just can’t.

Many adult-only sites have great facilities and amenities that are high-quality and will make your honeymoon extra special.

Overplanning

After the excitement of the wedding and all the preparations leading up to it, you shouldn’t overplan your honeymoon and instead spend time being spontaneous with your new spouse.

There’s a sweet spot between putting together an itinerary to use your time effectively and leaving some time free to relax as newlyweds.

Forgetting your marriage documents

Name changes, passports and other documents can get overlooked in the wake of your wedding, so be sure to bring a copy of your marriage certificate to clear up any discrepancies.

It can also be flashed in the hope of an upgrade to any experiences or special activities you’ve booked as part of your honeymoon.



 

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/Rota Alternativa

Europe’s best hidden gems to discover by leisure vehicle

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Having access to a caravan or motorhome represents a unique opportunity to get off the beaten track, eschewing Europe’s most famous destinations for charming hidden gems.

In order to find out which ones are really worth visiting, the online language learning platform italki analysed a number of metrics to produce definitive rankings.

These included number of landmarks, average rating of sights, safety score and the average summer temperature of each destination.

Iker Uriarte, head of marketing for Europe at italki, said: “Before you leave, take some time to get familiar with the culture and history of your destination. Learning about these aspects beforehand can elevate your travel experience and help you better understand where you’re visiting.”

While Valletta in Malta came out as the best ranking hidden gem in italki’s survey, it’s fairly inaccessible and hard to get to with a caravan or motorhome, since it’s on an island.

Kotor, Montenegro

Montenegro’s Kotor, however, which was in second position, is on mainland Europe and therefore easy to drive to, even if you’re towing a caravan.

In fact, you could take a particularly scenic route, stopping off in France and Slovenia, as well as enjoying some of the most picturesque spots on the Croatian coast.

Once you arrive in Kotor, the city boasts 1,790 things to do and 31 landmarks, according to italki’s analysis, with an average temperature of 19°C in the summer.

Situated in an enviable position overlooking the bay, you can explore Kotor’s medieval town, winding streets and Romanesque churches.

Matera, Italy

Driving down through Italy to reach Matera is the sort of road trip that dreams are made of, with the chance to visit a number of hidden gems along the way.

The city, which was built on a series of natural caves, scored 80.4 out of 100 in terms of safety, has 513 things to do and 28 points of interest.

Spend your time discovering the maze of frescoed limestone churches, palaces and monasteries, before indulging at Matera’s famed Michelin-starred restaurants.

Sintra, Portugal

Perhaps you would prefer to take your leisure vehicle on the ferry across to Spain and drive through the Iberian Peninsula to Portugal.

Not far from Lisbon geographically, Sintra is like a fairytale compared to the bustling Portuguese capital, with its palaces and gardens perched atop its lofty hill.

With 13 landmarks to visit, according to italki, it packs a punch in a small space, with Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle and Monserrate Palace among the top things to do.

Valencia, Spain

Often overlooked in favour of Barcelona or Madrid, Spain’s Valencia took the fifth spot in the survey, with 883 activities and 52 landmarks.

The official home of paella and close enough to the sea that you can walk to it via the Turia Gardens from the city centre, Valencia punches above its weight as a destination.

From the historic centre, where you can wander the central market and explore the cathedral, to the modern City of Arts and Sciences, there’s plenty of interest to enjoy while pitched up near Valencia.

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/Faruk Kaymak