Touring Caravan Safety Tips

By Nicola Bullimore

Going for weekend breaks or holidays in a caravan can safe a lot of money in comparison to paying for hotels and eating out and since the credit crunch, more people are looking around to purchase a caravan for their recreation away from home.

Since there are alot of newcomers to the caravan scene, it is always wise to look around for tips on how to ensure the safety of those venturing out for a holiday break in a caravan. Here are some basic steps that can be taken to maximise safety and security of the caravan.

The last thing anyone wants during a break in a caravan is leaving the caravan at risk from being stolen whilst you are out and about. There are security devices especially made for caravans. Some caravans may already have security devices installed, however for those that don't, this should be something considered to prevent your caravan from being stolen.

Placing security stickers on a caravan can warn thieves that security devices are in place which can act as a deterrent when someone comes along to steal a caravan.

Wheel clamps and hitch locks are also basic devices which heighten the security of a caravan. When looking around for wheel clamps, you need to ensure that you buy the correct fit and are properly locked which also adds to the prevention of a caravan being stolen.

Towing a caravan is possibly the main area of safety when people are new to caravanning, so here are a few things to check before you take your caravan on the road.

First of all, you want to make sure you have a caravan which can be towed by your car. Ideally, people would check with their car manufacturer to determine what weight the car can safely pull. Pulling the correct weight can prevent numerous hazard possibilities such as road swaying and tipping, so before going on the open road, always ensure you have the correct car to caravan weight ratio.

You also want to make sure the breaks on the caravan are well maintained, so have a trained mechanic check the breaks on a caravan to ensure the safety of your trip. Remember also that when towing a caravan, your car will take longer to accelerate and stop. Ensure there is enough stopping distance between you and the car ahead since it will take a little longer than usual for your car to stop.

Placing heavy weights over the axel can also help to ensure the stability of the caravan whilst it is on the move, but take into account the weight allowance which your car can safely pull.

Other basic tips to maximise the safely of a caravan during the journey as well as when the caravan is static will include such things as installing a smoke detector and having a fire extinguisher.

When considering which caravan to purchase, have a list of things that you require for safety, and for the things that are not currently present, such as alarms, fire safety, you can purchase these accessories to maximise the safety of your caravan holiday or weekend break.

Nicky Bullimore has been writing articles on various topics for a number of years. Find out more on Touring Caravans Bristol and Caravan tips from Bailey Touring Caravans UK

Park Holidays - Holiday Deals

Why Are Caravan Park Holidays So Popular?

By Craig Ellyard

If you ever spent a holiday in a caravan park as a child and have not spent time in one since, you will be in for a pleasant surprise. Forget the basic facilities of the typical caravan park from decades past. The modern day park offers a fabulous caravan holiday with top class amenities, and a whole range of luxury caravans in which to spend your holiday. There is always plenty to entertain you on the site, or you can use the park as a base to visit the beautiful local countryside or seaside resorts.

For many people spending a holiday in a caravan beats staying in a bed and breakfast, and allows more freedom than staying in a hotel. It can be the ultimate in self catering holidays with the caravans of today boasting fully fitted kitchens, and - in a far cry from the shower blocks of old - their own showers. And, if you can't tear yourself away from your computer, then don't worry! Many modern day caravan parks provide wifi, meaning you can take your laptop and surf to your heart's content - when you're not sunbathing on the beach or out site seeing. What more could a holidaymaker want?

One reason for the increasing popularity of caravan park holidays is the fantastic improvement in the caravans themselves. Forget the small caravans you sometimes still see being towed along the motorway. Modern caravans have gone upmarket in both size and design. They can be up to sixty feet long - and more - allowing them to be packed with the kind of luxuries that families have now come to expect while on holiday.

Then there are the facilities themselves for the holiday maker in the caravan park. Bars and cafés are becoming, along with top class entertainment, the norm for the parks of today. And the children - who as always are as demanding as ever - are well catered for with paddling pools, play areas and their own on site entertainment.

And should you decide to go further afield you can be assured that the park is close by either to the seaside, or surrounded by beautiful countryside. So take the kids down the beach, to the fair ground, or on a trip to the countryside before coming back to have a meal in your luxury caravan, or one of the park's excellent eateries.

So with such excellent caravans and facilities available, along with a whole host of activities to do, it is easy to see why caravan park holidays are becoming so popular!

Sand-Le-Mere is one of the most popular yorkshire caravan parks and is located on the east coast. Sand-Le-Mere is family owned and considered to be one the UK's most popular and beautiful holiday and residential caravan parks and is perfect for family holidays.

An Old Fashioned Holiday in a Romany or Gypsy Caravan

Indulge your childhood fantasies about running away with the gypsies by staying in an original Romany wagon or 'Vardo'.

A horsedrawn caravan is sometimes called a Romany Caravan. This kind of caravan has been used since about 1840 by Irish people living a nomadic lifestyle.

As old-fashioned holidays become more popular, and holiday makers want to experience history and take a break from the 21 century, Romany Caravanning holidays have become a sort after holiday experience.

There are two types of Romany Caravan holidays, their is the holiday where the caravan is static set up in an idyllic place, usually a field with great views. Or there is a touring holiday, complete with horse. If you do choose the touring option, you do need to be able to take care of the horse. This is not usually a big problem as the horses are very friendly and docile.

On you Romany Caravan holiday you need to be away that space is very limited in the Romany Caravan, so you may wish to 'test' out the experience with a short break before embarking on a longer trip.

Romany Caravan holidays make for wonderful holidays and its little wonder - the colourful hand painted caravans are enchanting, the trip is filled with nostalgia and it transports you to a by gone age where the summers were longer and the pace of live was slower, and you went wherever the road took you. And now we are offered that same wonderful experience to enjoy life on the road in a hand painted Romany Caravan.