Get ready for a perfect caravan trip

If you're planning to join the UK's growing band of caravanning fans this summer, there's a lot you can do in advance to prepare for the perfect trip. From making sure your caravan is in good condition, to tracking down discounts on site charges, a bit of forward planning can help you ensure your holiday goes smoothly and doesn't cost more than necessary.

Join the club

Keen caravanners can get a lot of benefit from joining an association such as the Caravan Club.

As well as being able to get advice and tips from experts and fellow members via the club's website and magazine, there are substantial savings to be made on the cost of pitches. A Caravan Club annual membership costs £38 at the moment plus a one-off £7.50 joining fee, which is waived if you opt to pay by direct debit.

In return, you get preferential access to Club Sites around the UK, a £7-a-night pitch discount, as well as the chance to stay at some sites which are exclusive to Caravan Club members.

Get the best service

Giving your touring caravan a full service is vital before making a long trip: so how do you find a mechanic you can trust?

The Approved Workshop Scheme has been set up to help caravan and motorhome owners find reliable, competent firms to carry out safety checks and maintenance work all over the UK.

The scheme is backed by a number of caravanning and touring organisations, and ensures that member companies meet certain standards, such as guaranteeing work for at least six months, giving detailed cost estimates, and providing clear breakdowns of all work carried out.

Stay connected

If you're away from home for a long time, you may want to stay connected to what's going on at work or in your social life through the internet.

An increasing number of caravan sites now offer wireless internet access: this means you'll be able to get online - normally after paying a fee - provided you have a laptop or other device which can connect to wireless networks.

Heading abroad

Taking your caravan abroad for the first time can be daunting, but there is a lot of help available online and from caravanning organisations to ensure your trip goes off without a hitch.

The Caravan Club publishes an excellent guide on its website, covering a wide range of topics from finding the right gas supply for your caravan, to Continental speed limits, to the road safety equipment such as warning triangles you are required to have in various European counties.

Stay secure

Getting the best possible security measures for your car and caravan not only gives you peace of mind when you're off on a long trip, it can also help keep your caravan insurance premiums down.

Many providers will offer discounts if you have measures such as tracking devices or hitch locks which are accredited by recognised vehicle-security firms such as Thatcham.

Not every insurer will offer such discounts, though, so check before you sign up for a policy.

About the Author

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Author (bythesea). Submitted on Sun, 5 Sep 2010 Time: 8:37 PM

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