It’s nearly summer – which means holiday time! If you’re planning on heading out on the open road with your caravan in tow, we suggest taking these great caravan tips for beginners with you.
At Marshall Batteries, we love the great outdoors just as much as you do! For over 75 years, we’ve been powering Aussie adventures through our reliable batteries, which include premium caravan and campervan batteries, as well as our roadside assistance service that’s available across Australia.
From loading and hitching to parking and safe driving techniques, Marshall Batteries has got you covered for everything you need to know about travelling with a caravan!
Here are our top caravan tips for beginners:
Table of Contents
1. Load Your Caravan for Stability and Safety
It’s important to load the caravan correctly so that it tows well. Keep it balanced – if a heavy object is on one side, try and place something equally heavy on the other side.
Also, place heavy items close to the floor and, where possible, over the axle. Take care to reduce the possibility of items moving around, as this can cause instability in the vehicle.
Make sure heavy items are secured down, there are no loose items floating around the floor, and place rubber foam on shelves to prevent sliding.
2. Pack A Deep Cycle Battery To Power Up Your Caravan
When it comes to keeping your campervan powered up during your outdoor escapades, a deep-cycle battery is your trusty companion. This powerhouse not only ensures your campsite stays well-lit but also keeps your gadgets running smoothly – from phone chargers to laptops and tablets, all set to entertain the little ones during a rainy day.
The magic of deep-cycle batteries lies in their ability to provide a steady and consistent flow of energy over an extended period. Unlike car batteries that offer a quick burst of power, these deep-cycle wonders keep the energy flowing, making them the ultimate choice for all your camping adventures.
Whether as auxiliary or secondary power sources for your 4x4s, caravans or campervans, deep-cycle batteries are perfect companions for camping.
Check out this guide for more info –What is a deep cycle battery?
3. Follow The Correct Steps For Caravan Hitching
If it’s your first time hitching a caravan to your car, you may want to get somebody to show you the ropes or read up on how to do it here.
Firstly, make sure your car is capable of pulling the weight of your caravan, then take your towing vehicle for a quick warm-up beforehand so it’s good to go once attached.
Remember, it’s important to do a quick check before pulling off. Everything stabilised? Brakes working? Everything in the caravan (including the doors) closed and secured? Is your battery charged? Yes? Time to hit the road!
Don’t Miss – Mastering Camping Hacks with Kids: 10 Handy Tips For Family Adventures On The Road.
4. Handle the Weight and Space with Care
Travelling with a caravan can be daunting – however, once you get used to the extra weight, it’s not so bad! Just remember to take extra care.
Your vehicle is much longer, heavier, wider and slower. It’s harder to accelerate and much, much harder to stop suddenly, so allow yourself the extra time and space for tricky manoeuvres – especially overtaking and braking!
Tip: If you can, stop the caravan on a SLIGHT downward slope to make it easier for your vehicle to move forward when you set off next time.
5. Park With Precision
Reversing can be tricky. Start with the car and caravan in a straight line and have somebody guide you into the space. Remember to check that the caravan is on level ground and to re-park if this is not the case.
Remove the car and begin to unpack carefully, making sure nothing moved around during the drive!
Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy. You’ve made it!
If you find yourself in a tricky situation when travelling, don’t hesitate to give us a call! Holler for a Marshall at 1300 627 742 for roadside assistance, a jump start, a new caravan battery or even a fuel top-up, and we’ll send our team from the battery store closest to you. Happy Caravanning!