Category: Explore

How to Find the Right Caravan

A caravan can be moved to anywhere you want just by towing them on the back of your car. This allows for realistic “last-minute holidays” and the portable element of this kind of caravan would allow for much more frequent holidays away which results in perhaps more precious family time, literally wherever your heart desires! Aside acquiring your home buying caravan is  possibly the largest purchase you’re ever likely to make. Purchasing or hiring a caravan can be a tricky proposition. There’s so much choice and a lot to consider while selecting your ‘home away from home’: style, weight, size, budget and features all come into play. Every van looks pretty; as a consumer you’ll need to look beyond this. Do your research and take your time, consider the costs for caravan transport if purchasing interstate, shortlist the caravan that will best suit your needs, investigate their construction, value for money, and features. The following are major considerations for choosing caravan.

The biggest tip to consider before purchasing or hiring a caravan is to think about what you want to do. Are you likely to head into the bush or outback where millions of stars light the night sky and the warm glow from the fire draws you in. Are you going to head off road or are you going to travel on the highways? Are you looking at short stays or doing the lap? Knowing where you want to explore will greatly assist with your choice in hiring or buying a caravan and whether a touring or outback model will suit you. For buyers, don’t just think about the first trip, plan for the long run: will your caravan be mainly used for weekend escapes to a favorite getaway destination? Is it for the fulfillment of a lifelong dream? Is it for family holidays with the kids? Or have you adopted a nomad lifestyle and make the caravan your only home? All this will determine your caravan’s size, style, its layout and the extent of its fittings. The amount of travel will determine how important features such as independent rear suspension and off-road capability will be to the van you are going to hire or buy. One of the mistake people make is people falling in love with the caravan and then finding out it does not suit the travel they want to embark on.

What car are you going to use to tow? This is probably the most important question to ask while choosing a caravan. There is a need to know the towing mass of the car you are going to tow it with. Unless you are in the enviable position of purchasing the caravan first and the vehicle to suit it, you need check the tow capacity of your current vehicle as this will set a ‘maximum’ weight for the van you want to acquire. The most common mistake why renting or buying a caravan is mismatching the tow vehicle to the caravan.

There are many things to consider when it comes to size and space. Having a few comforts is very important though some believe the only thing needed is a basic bed. The industry has different size of caravan from very basic to luxurious that suite every budget.  Mostly, the answer here in what level of luxury you desire, if you want complete independence and you’re comfortable towing a long wheel base caravan, then a large, luxury caravan with separate bedroom, shower and toilet are a delight. How much food would you like to store or will you shop daily if you are travelling? Do you think having a washing machine is necessary? Are you travelling with children who could be in the van for an extended period of time? The layout, the amount of beds required, and whether you need an ensuite are just some of the other key factors for consideration. Having the toilet can come in handy, especially when you have to stay at a park where the facilities is a long way away. Alternatively, if you prefer the idea of travelling light, the convenience of towing a small caravan is a good, cheaper option.

For first time buyers it’s always hard to decide, but a really good idea is to hire a caravan and make a short trip, as then you will really know what suits and what doesn’t. It’s a great way to try before you buy for new purchasers. You have to also consider where you will keep the caravan you want to buy. Once this framework is in place your decision will actually become simpler as your parameters of search will definitely have narrowed!

By admin June 18, 2019 Off

Introduction to Travelling Australian with a Caravan

Australia is among the most magnificent countries that you can explore as a tourist. The country is filled with natural wonders, magnificent beaches, and unique wildlife that you will love. There are varieties of activities to try out in the country and a great way to experience this country is by cruising at your own pace towing a caravan. Traveling with a caravan is a great activity to try out if you want to get an insight into what nomad lifestyle is all about. Some of the things to know if you want to explore Australia with a Caravan are listed below.

Things to Know Before you Embark on this Adventure

The first thing that you will need for a safe and successful adventure is to have a comfortable, reliable, caravan trailer, and well-serviced tow vehicle. You are going to find varieties of set-up options for your road trip in Australia and all you will need to do is to find the right combination that suits your style. You should also take your time to research so that you can consider your budget, lifestyle, and travel plans before you pack up your home.

Towing and Regulations

Traveling around Australia in a caravan is not something to be taken lightly as there are strict rules that you will need to follow to make sure that you travel safely. There are regulations on the weight that your caravan can be and the type of vehicle you use to tow it. You will also need to be well educated on the skill that is needed for towing something as heavy as a caravan and also the safety factors that you will need to consider. Before you start your adventure, you can take a caravan towing course and ensure you do not overload your caravan.

Traveling around

The route that you can take for this adventure usually depends on the season that you are planning to travel, the duration of your trip, and where you will leave from. The northern part of Australia has a tropical climate and it is usually hot and humid during the summer with a wet season while it is quite warm and dry in the winter. The southern parts are cooler and they feature mild summers while it sometimes features a rainy winter.

Emergency Survival tip

If you are going on this adventure with family or your younger ones, it is best to invest in some safety equipment. You can invest in satellite phone so that you can make emergency calls from anywhere in the country or travel with an emergency tracking device known as EPIRB or PLB. You can also install a UHF radio to your vehicle if you are traveling around the country, you will also need a spare jerry can to secure extra fuel, you should also install an offline GPS navigation system. You can also carry along with two First Aid Kits to use in case of emergency.

Make use of Solar Power

One of the things that play a crucial part in the way that full-time nomads live and work on the road is Solar Power. Solar power will be converted from sunlight into electricity and it is widely known as an easy and cost-effective alternative power source for years now. Most of the modern caravans are equipped with a solar power set-up installed which can be used to run simple 12v items like the caravan lights without having to look for a power source to hook into. You can then invest in some more solar panels or a solar blanket and an inverter so that you can easily generate more power for things like charging your laptop, camera batteries, and other camping gadgets that you will have to use.

By Bob.Dutton May 29, 2019 Off