Wednesday 5 December 2018

Why do caravans snake?

….and how to avoid it.

Caravan snaking happens when a tow car and caravan become out of sync with each other and veer side to side. This usually happens as a result of a sudden swerve, crosswinds or high speeds, though can also happen when a tyre blows or if the caravan is loaded incorrectly.

Snaking is relatively uncommon thankfully, but can cause serious accidents and major disruption to other road users.

Good towing practice is the first step to prevent snaking, and this begins even before you start the engine. Correctly loading your caravan is vital as one which is unevenly loaded is far more likely to sway. Make certain that the nose of the caravan isn’t overloaded.

Next, make sure your tyre pressures on both your tow car and caravan are at the right pressureCheck out our post on Caravan Tyres for more information about caravan loading.

Snaking can sometimes happen if a caravan is travelling at a high speed and is passed by a larger vehicle like a lorry causing crosswinds. Towing mirrors are therefore essential in alerting a driver to approaching vehicles so that they can slow down.

When it comes to speed, always tow within the legal limit. Don’t feel you need to reach the limit, and take into account weather conditions like rain or high winds.

Anti-snaking stabilisers are available, often attracting a discount on your caravan insurance if you use one. These devices automatically apply the caravan brakes if a snaking movement is detected and cost in the region of around £200.

Best Caravan Sites for Winter Escapes


For some, caravanning isn’t just for the spring and summer months. Exploring during the winter can bring a whole new dimension to touring; waking up to frosty mornings, discovering scenic winter wonderlands, and returning to cosy evenings in your caravan.
If you fancy some all year round caravanning, here are our top caravan sites to pitch up in.

Cornwall

Woodview Campsite in Cornwall is open all year and is located near Bude on the North Cornwall / Devon border.

The site features both hardstanding and grass pitches and have a newly refurbished shower block with under floor heating!

Explore the neighbouring National Trust beach of Sandymouth, or head over to the nearby South West coast path for a windswept walk.

Yorkshire
If golf and spa facilities tickle your fancy, Rudding Holiday Park near Harrogate in Yorkshire offers winter pitches with some added benefits.

Set in the grounds of Rudding Park Hotel with beautiful gardens and woodland, this award winning caravan site features an on-site pub and access to the hotel’s spa facilities and 18-hole golf course.

Grass and hardstanding pitches available throughout the year, including Christmas and New Year.

East Sussex

For a rural winter retreat, book some time at the adults-only quite site Idle Hours Owlsbury Park. Perfectly situated in Crowborough, this site is perfect for exploring the South Downs, and whilst shops, pubs and eateries are all within a mile, the site still maintains a secluded atmosphere.

Wales
Explore North Wales and stay at Islawrffordd Caravan Park, located at the southern end of Snowdonia National Park coastline in the village of Talybont.  

Islawrffordd boasts 75 fully serviced touring pitches, an indoor swimming pool, bar and restaurant, luxury shower blocks and direct access to the adjacent beach. And if that’s not enough, each pitch has its own TV connection the site’s own digital free-view network, so you can while away those long winter evenings.

Cumbria
Riverside Tourer Park in Millhouse, between Keswick and Carlisle, is an adult only caravan site, perfect for exploring the northern Lakes. The CL site is popular with Caravan Club members but also open to non-members.

Riverside is the perfect escape from it all, offering secluded hardstanding pitches, heated shower and toilet facilities, 4G and WiFi. What’s more, Riverside Touring Park is dog friendly.


Scotland
For spectacular highland scenery, try Castle Cary Holiday Park, just a short drive from Newton Stuart and Galloway Forest Park in South West Scotland.

This all year round site is located around a 16th-century baronial castle and features both hardstanding regular and super pitches. The on-site Lairds Inn offers a welcome retreat at the end of a cold winter’s day, and the heated pool is ideal if you fancy sheltering from the weather.



CaSSOA Member Spotlight - The Dorset Hideaway



We’d like to introduce you to one of our members, The Dorset Hideaway.
Based in West Dorset, near to Charmouth, Bridport and Broadchurch, Esther and Mike run their Gold award caravan storage site alongside a camping and glamping site.

Here’s our interview with The Dorset Hideaway, giving you an insight into the running of a caravan storage business.

How long have you been in operation: We opened in the summer of 2015, so will be coming up to our 4th year this summer.

Have you always been in caravan storage: No. We became storage owners as a result of diversifying our former dairy farm into a campsite and glamping site.

What has been the biggest change in the caravan storage industry since you started?

The biggest change I’ve seen in caravanning in the last few years has been the number of people preferring not to tow anymore - young and old alike. They prefer to stay in an area for a season or two with someone else towing the van to & from storage or seasonal pitch sites and then the van being sited each time for them. They see the cost savings in downsizing their car and running costs and they tend to use their vans more as a result. 

Having an organisation like CaSSOA is helping to consolidate and regulate storage and make it more viable for both customer and business provider with more secure and better insured sites.

What do you find most challenging about caravan storage?

The most challenging thing is getting caravan owners to maintain their units. Once stored, they tend to forget they still need as much maintenance as when they’re in use. They need to be kept roadworthy for us to tow them in and out. Vans sitting up tend to get seized brakes and high spots on tyres like all things they are best used regularly! Thefts are a big issue for the industry but investing in CCTV and security are the best deterrents.

What do you like most about caravan storage?

For us, caravan storage means seeing lots of new faces on site, so getting to know a new family group is nice. It also uses an area on the farmyard to earn extra income from. 

We are a former dairy farming couple of 30 years. My husband’s family have farmed the Marshwood Vale for nearly 150 years! Diversifying has allowed us to keep our land but use it in a different way to earn an income. It has allowed us to stay and live out our later years in the area where we were born and have lived in for decades. It’s great to be able to share this stunning location with many thousands of people every year. With panoramic hills and fields as our backdrop, and the Jurassic coast less than 3 miles away, it’s no wonder people return year after year. 

We provide indoor and outdoor storage, caravan cleaning services, water, EHU in the storage areas, toilets, a site to stay on with fab award winning facilities, a spa with hot tub & sauna, and a fishing pond on site. We put up awnings for customers and we offer to fully set up the caravan for arrival so the only thing our customers have to do is take the beer/wine from the fridge and sit down in their warm caravan! We can even provide pet and babysitting services too! In addition, we have a petting farm and luxury glamping in 6m domes this year. 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

We love the great outdoors, so anything countryside or rural or animal related. We own a menagerie of animals, dogs, 6 cats, 2 miniature Shetland ponies, pigs, goats and chickens. We love gardening and visiting gardens. We have a shared love of history and music and try to go to the cinema and concerts as often as possible. That’s us!


For more information about The Dorset Hideaway, visit the CaSSOA site listing, or head direct to The Dorset Hideaway website.

Friday 28 September 2018

12 Apps for Caravanners

Here’s a round-up of our 12 favourite apps – from travel apps to keep you moving to first aid apps to keep you safe, we’ve got all the essential apps you need for your caravanning trips and holidays.


Caravan Sitefinder

£-FREE

Caravan and camping directory of nearly 4000 campsites across the UK and Ireland.
IOS / Android  


Caravan Buddy

£2.99
Everything you could need as a caravanner. Features include:
  • Caravan Site Search
  • Services Search
  • Caravan Leveller
  • TV Signal Finder
  • Set off / arrival Checklists
  • Weight Calculator
  • Document Store
  • Service Reminders
  • Storage Reminder


Live Traffic Info – Highways England

£-FREE
Check how the traffic is flowing on motorways and major A roads in England with official information live from the Highways England National Traffic Control Centre.
However, a great alternative is TomTom GPS Navigation Traffic, which combines precise traffic and speed camera alerts along with navigation for roads in over 150 countries.


Talking Caravan Level

£1.99
This app tells you what leg / wheel to raise on your caravan or motorhome, when to raise lower jockey when and when its level. Place your Phone / Pad on a flat surface and follow the audio instructions. Can be used with or without a motormover.


iBBQ

£-FREE
This great little app provides a host of handy features for both BBQ lovers, and those cooking outdoors. Features include:
  • Locate the nearest Quality Standard accredited butchers
  • Recipes
  • Video Guides
  • Weather forcecasts for your BBQ location


UK Motorway Services

£1.99
This app provides comprehensive information on every motorway service station in the UK.
You can search and filter service stations, find those closest to you, as well as being able to see which food outlets, shops and petrol providers are at each services.


Sun Locator

£-FREE
Sun Locator predicts the sun and moon position and path at a specific location during the course of a day, perfect when you’re pitching up and want to know where the sun will shine on your caravan.


Met Office

£-FREE
This app needs no introduction. This weather app is a must for all caravanners.


Antenna Aligner

£2.99
Take the guesswork out of aligning and tuning your aerial by using Antenna Aligner. With just one click, this app will show you where to point your aerial, and which channels to focus on when fine tuning.


Caravandroid 

This is one for all the list lovers out there. Caravandroid creates checklists that can be checked off as appropriate. Lists can be edited and there are also screens for storing outfit details, insurance and clubs. There’s also a vehicle to caravan weight ratio calculator and renewal reminders.
IOS – Not available / Android  


Calor / Flogas Gas Stockists

£-FREE
The app helps you find your nearest cylinder gas stockists, so you’ll always be able to locate one of the 10,000 stockists whether you’re at home or away in the caravan.


First Aid by British Red Cross

£-FREE
Free, simple and life-saving – and doesn’t need an internet connection as all the information is contained on the app itself.

If you’ve got a favourite app you couldn’t do without on your caravan holiday, let us know. Share it with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Friday 14 September 2018

5 Caravan Sites for Autumn Escapes

Yes, we know it’s the height of summer, but there’s nothing wrong with a bit of forward planning, so how about an autumnal getaway to see some glorious displays of leaves that could rival New England.

1) Loch Lomond
Trossachs Holiday Park 

Head to Loch Lomond in Scotland during September to see swathes of browns, oranges, auburns, yellows and mustards. Loch Lomond is around an hour north of Glasgow and lies as the centrepoint of the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

Where to Stay: Trossachs Holiday Park

2) Wye Valley
Nestled along the border between England and Wales, the Wye Valley is home to the Cambrian Mountains and the picturesque River Wye. Renowned as one of the most dramatic landscape areas in southern Britain, the Wye Valley is the perfect place to take in the turning leaves.


Where to Stay: Forest & Wye Valley Camping Site

3) The Cotswolds
If you’re wanting a quintessential English experience the pretty villages of The Cotswolds fit the bill perfectly. Seeing the autumn leaves transition amongst cobbled streets and winding rivers provides the perfect end of season getaway.

Where to Stay: Cotswold View Caravan & Camping
Castlerigg Caravan & Camping Park


4) The Lake District
As leaves turn from green to gold head to the Lakes and explore wooded valleys, rolling hills and majestic lakes. Head over to Sizergh Gardens where autumn sees the harvest of apples, quince and damsons, or explore the Buttermere Valley to see the late summer light cascade over the lakes.

Where to Stay: Castlerigg Hall Caravan & Camping Park

5) Thetford Forest 

Thetford Forest Caravan Club Site
Covering over 50,000 acres, Thetford Forest is the largest lowland pine forest in Britain, and the perfect destination to view the golden hues of autumn. Travel 45 minutes west of Norwich and enjoy the numerous walking trails, mountain biking, horse riding, or just simply enjoying some late summer sun.

Where to Stay: Thetford Forest Caravan Club Site


And don’t forget, if this is your last outing for the year, search for a CaSSOA accredited storage site to keep your caravan safe and sound over the winter months.

Tuesday 28 August 2018

Caravan Tyres - 10 Things you should know


Like car tyres, caravan tyres are equally as important and it is vital that they are properly maintained so that they do what they need to do – carry the load of your caravan and grip the road.

Here are 10 things you need to know to help you stay safe whilst towing your caravan:
  1. Caravan tyres may not specifically be made for caravans – they’ll either be made for cars or small vans.
  2. Every tyre will have a load rating, or load index. If a caravan has a maximum weight (MTPLM) of 1600kg, each wheel must carry half this load – 800kg. Caravan manufacturers will apply a safety margin on around 20% so the tyres then have a rating of 960kg.This will then equate to a load index (see table below). As you can see, a load rating of 960kg will equate to a load index of 106.
  3. Information on the load and speed rating is marked on the side of the tyre. Equal size tyres should be used across an axle, as well as the spare.
    Please note, this is intended as a guide. Please refer to manufacturer guidance
  4. Make sure that tyres aren’t overloaded, and that the load is spread evenly around the caravan, and as low down as possible. Even when the MTPLM is not exceeded, a poorly distributed load can lead to overloaded tyres.
  5. It is essential that the tread is checked to make sure there is plenty of wear left. Markings on the tyres will show that they are correct for caravans, as well as indicating how old the tyre is. However, like all tyres, caravan tyres may deteriorate over time due to factors other than use. Sunlight, pollution, and even lack of use can cause damage. It is recommended that caravan tyres are renewed every 5 years, regardless of how many miles have been driven.
  6. The year of manufacture for the tyre will usually be marked on the tyre. The last 3 or 4 digits will signify this. For example, a code ending is 399 will indicate the tyre was made in March 1999. A code ending in 3502 signifies the tyre was manufactured in the 35th week of 2002.
  7. The legal minimum tread on caravan tyres is 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tread breadth around the entire circumference of the tyre.
  8. With new caravans, the correct inflation pressure will be given in the handbook. However, if your caravan is second hand, it may be indicated on the wheel arch. Pressure should always be checked when tyres are cold.
  9. Under or over inflation of tyres is extremely important. Under inflation can reduce grip and consequently increase breaking distance. Conversely, over inflation reduces the amount of tyre in contact with the road causing uneven wear and reduced control over braking and cornering.
  10. If you are planning to store your caravan for a prolonged period of time, it is worthwhile removing the wheels and tyres to prevent deterioration. However, you will need to check that this doesn’t invalidate your caravan insurance. If they must be left on, rotate them regularly so that the full weight of the caravan doesn’t rest on the same area of the tyre all the time.


And don’t forget, whilst you can perform all these checks yourself, it's always advisable to get your caravan serviced regularly by a qualified engineer.

Friday 8 June 2018

Caravan Insurance Secrets!


How do underwriters rate your touring caravan?

If you are buying a touring caravan this year or when the renewal of your caravan insurance comes around, you might be asking yourself how underwriters rate your particular make and model to arrive at the premium you are charged.

Some of the considerations insurers are likely to take into account include the following:
caravan insurance 
The make and model of your touring caravan

Underwriters have access to copious data on the relative costs of repairing or replacing touring caravans of different makes and models since this is clearly a relevant cost to them in the event of you making a claim. The more expensive your caravan type, typically the more your caravan insurance will cost you.

The age and value of the caravan

Very similar reasons to the above make the age and value of your touring caravan relevant to underwriters, who need to calculate the likely cost in replacing it or writing it off in the event of a total loss.

Your postcode

Insurers calculate the likelihood of theft or vandalism of your touring caravan with reference to the postcode of your address, as some areas are more vulnerable than others. Although it relates to motor insurance, the AA has published a list of postcodes ranked by insurers from the cheapest to the most expensive areas.

caravan storage Central Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS)

Underwriters need to know whether your particular make and model is registered with the Central Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS).

It is a requirement for all recently manufactured UK makes and provides a kind of “log book” for caravans, identifying current and previous owners, whether it has been stolen or previously written off, and if there is outstanding finance on it.

Use

Underwriters also take into account whether you intend to use your touring caravan in the UK only or also plan to take it abroad. This may have a bearing on how often you plan to use it – insuring your caravan for the occasional outing each year might cost less than your avid use of it on frequent touring holidays.





Some underwriters also give you credit for improving the security of your caravan when it is at its most vulnerable, out of season or when it is otherwise laid up and not in use.

For example, caravan insurance specialists Cover4Caravans, have worked with underwriters to offer up to a 15% discount on the cost of touring caravan insurance for ‘vans stored at a site registered by the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA).

The next time you ponder how underwriters might have assessed the amount of insurance premium you need to pay, these are just some of the considerations likely to have been taken into account.

To locate a CaSSOA caravan storage site, click here.


Tuesday 29 May 2018

Things to do this Summer

With the summer holidays fast approaching, we thought you may be in need of some ideas to keep the family entertained. So whether you’re based in the North, South, East or West, we’ve put together a collection of activities and attractions in counties across the UK.

Bedfordshire

If wildlife if your thing, Woburn Safari Park has over 80 species of animals to discover. If you don’t fancy risking losing your wing mirror on the Road Safari, there’s always the Foot Safari! 

Berkshire

The Queen spends most of her private weekends here…. Join her at Windsor Castle.  

Buckinghamshire

Fancy learning to ski? No need to travel abroad, Milton Keynes is where it’s at! At Snozone you can ski or snowboard on real snow, indoors! 

Cambridgeshire

Take a punt on the River Cam and take in the historic beauty of Cambridge in comfort 

Cheshire
Follow in the footsteps of the Roman soldier patrols and walk the Walls of Chester 

Cornwall

No trip to Cornwall would be complete without a trip to the Eden Project. From the Mediterranean Biome to the Rainforest Canopy Walkway and Giant Bee, there’s something for all the family to enjoy. 

Cumbria

At England’s only true Mountain Forest - WhinlatterForest Park – you can walk, bike, Go Ape, run or simply relax. However energetic you’re feeling, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. 

Derbyshire

Hardwick Hall is an Elizabethan masterpiece located near Chesterfield. Once you’ve toured the hall, explore around the extensive grounds with picturesque views and family play trails.  

Devon

Feel like a giant at Babbacombe Model Village as you explore 4 acres of award-winning gardens showcasing hundreds of model scenes, vehicles & people.

Dorset

Visit one of the South Coast’s most famous landmarks, Old Harry Rocks. Take in the iconic chalk stacks with a walk along the Jurassic Coast. 

Tuesday 15 May 2018

5 Reasons to Store your Caravan with CaSSOA


1) Reduced Risk of Theft 
It’s been statistically proven that a caravan stored at a CaSSOA approved site is less likely to be stolen or suffer damage by vandals. Insurance claim data shows that caravans and motorhomes are far more vulnerable to theft then they’re kept at home, so it makes sense to store your vehicle at a dedicated storage site.

2) All sites have been surveyed 

All CaSSOA sites are required to undergo a comprehensive site survey on a regular basis. That way, we can be sure that the security and site facilities meet our required standards for Bronze, Silver or Gold accreditation.

3) Reduced insurance premium

Because of our commitment to reducing caravan theft, many insurance companies will offer a discount on your caravan insurance premium if you store at a CaSSOA approved storage site. You could save up to 25%.

4) Over 400 locations across the country

There are over 400 CaSSOA accredited caravan storage sites across the country so there’s sure to be one near to you. You can search for a CaSSOA site using our site finder. Search by postcode, or by town or county.

5) On-Site Facilities

Not only can you get peace of mind that your caravan is being kept safe and secure, but if you store on a CaSSOA caravan storage site, you’re likely to be able to access additional facilities like caravan servicing, valeting and tyre pressure checking.


With approved storage sites nationwide, we have a wide range of accredited caravan storage sites to choose from, so you won’t have to travel far to find your nearest site. Click here to find your nearest CaSSOA approved leisure vehicle storage site.


Tuesday 10 April 2018

Have you ever considered hiring out your caravan or motorhome?


Buying a caravan or motorhome is a lifestyle choice and investment for many owners. For some, it is a home that can travel with you and makes an array of planned and impromptu trips a reality.

But for some individuals, after the purchase they find themselves using their caravan or motorhome much less than first anticipated and when considering the costs of maintenance, storage and insurance, the possibility of selling does seem a viable option.

But before you make that move, why not think about hiring it out?

Hiring out to trusted hirers can be a great option for any owner wanting to earn some extra money whilst they aren’t using their caravan or motorhome. It is estimated that some owners only use their caravan or motorhome for just eight weeks of the year, so for the additional 44, why not consider hiring it out?


Benefits of hiring your caravan or motorhome

  • Money – The amount is dependent on a number of factors i.e. how often you are willing to hire your caravan or motorhome, but you can then use the money however you see fit and it could potentially help towards maintenance and storage costs for your caravan or motorhome 
  • Hiring caravans and motorhomes could become a business within itself - You could build up to a larger fleet and earn more from hiring multiple caravan or motorhomes at the same time 
  • You give others the opportunity to experience the joys of camping 
  • You get to meet new people 


Things to consider

  • Hire insurance - You need to make sure that along with your comprehensive insurance you have the adequate cover for hiring it out to other people for their use 
  • Other people – Not everyone will be pleased at the thought of other people in their caravan or motorhome 
  • Damage – There is always a risk that your caravan or motorhome won’t come back in the same condition that you hired it out in 
  • Marketing effort and costs - To make sure you get some interest in your caravan or motorhome you really have to think about putting some time, effort and money behind marketing it out to the general public. Choosing the right audience and putting your caravan or motorhome in front of them, at the right time and in the right place, can be trickier than you think! 


How to minimise effort and maximise opportunity?

If you want to make the most out of hiring out your caravan or motorhome, you can attempt to alleviate some of the above risks by working with a reputable and trusted third-party platform with all the bells and whistles.

When choosing a trusted third-party platform you need to ensure that you are happy with what they provide, that if you need it, they have the right insurance options for you and that you have a level of control that is right for you.

Camplify UK is one such platform that can assist you with all of these considerations!


Why choose to hire out through Camplify UK

Camplify are the fastest growing peer-to-peer caravan and motorhome sharing platform designed specifically for owners of caravan, campervans, motorhomes and trailer tents. Through our service, we connect you with hirers looking to spend their holidays and breaks in other people’s caravans or motorhomes. We look after everything from marketing to payments and insurance so that you don’t have to worry about all the time and effort that goes into hiring out.
  • It is FREE to list your caravan or motorhome with us 
  • A full hire insurance solution is available 
  • RAC breakdown cover is included with every hire 
  • We can help you calculate what to charge your guests. Try our online calculator for a rough guide of what you could charge holidaymakers 
  • Our platform allows you to talk to guests interested in hiring your caravan or motorhome – you’re in control and can opt to approve or decline each hire 
  • We hold a £1,000 pre-authorised security deposit from all holidaymakers at the time of booking, to cover any minor damages if they happen whilst out on hire – anything over that is covered by the insurance so you’re not out of pocket 
  • Give you tips and guides on caravan and motorhome hire that you can refer to time and time again 
  • Inspire holidaymakers with our blogs and guides about locations all over the UK 
  • An ongoing customer service 

Whether you want to list your caravan or motorhome with us or just need some advice to help you decide what is best for you, we’re here to help!







Tuesday 6 March 2018

How to Buy the Right Caravan


With so many makes, models, designs and layouts of caravan available, making the right decision can be tricky when it comes to buying a caravan. But don’t worry, here’s our guide to choosing the best caravan for you.

What’s right for you?

What size will you need? Are you after a small, compact caravan or do you need more room for a larger family? Remember that you could always add an awning if you need to extend your living space.

Don’t forget that you’ll need to make sure your car can tow the caravan you eventually choose. You can work this out using a Towcar match tool.

Single or twin axle?  - Most caravans will have one axle, with only the very largest caravans needing two. When manoeuvring on site, a single axle performs better, however, a twin axle gives extra grip when on the road. If you’re new to caravanning, it might be better to stick to a single axle. This article has loads of useful information.

Layout – how many beds will you need? Will you need singles?

Bathroom – Whilst having a fully equipped shower/toilet area is really convenient, most caravan sites provide more than adequate washing facilities these days. Think about whether you’ll actually use the caravan’s shower, or hop over to the site’s toilet block.

Flooring – Whist luxurious carpets are inviting and cosy, vinyl flooring may be a wiser option when you come in with muddy boots!

Read Reviews

There are countless caravan and motorhome reviews available on the internet and in magazines, but they can be overwhelming. Caravan Magazine has put together this guide to help you get the best from them. Remember that everyone has their own opinion so it’s good to keep an open mind and remember what your individual needs are.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that manufacturers launch their new ranges around September, so make sure you’re reading up to date reviews if you’re looking for a new model.

Ask Questions

There are a good few caravan advice forums on the Internet, including CaravanTalk, The Out & About Live forum, and Caravan Times. Why not sign up and ask other caravanners what their recommendations are, or what pitfalls they’ve encountered when buying a new caravan.
  
New or Used?

Your budget may influence whether you decide to buy a new or used caravan. A quick search will give you an idea of what to expect price wise for the type of tourer you’re after. It will also indicate what the market’s like if you hope to re-sell a new caravan in a few years’ time.

If you do decide to buy a used caravan, be careful not to fall for a scam. Read our guide to avoiding a caravan scam here.

Going to a caravan show is a great way to view all the latest models available. There are regional caravan shows across the country throughout the summer, as well as the national caravan shows  in February and November at the NEC in Birmingham. Don’t feel pressured to buy at one of these shows though. You can always go back to your local dealership afterwards.

If you’re buying a used caravan, don’t forget to ask:
  • Is there any outstanding finance on the caravan?
  • Does the caravan have a service history?
  • Has the caravan had any repairs or been in an accident?


Viewing

Online research can be invaluable, but nothing beats seeing a caravan on a forecourt.
Once you’ve pinpointed your ideal caravan, prepare a list of questions to take with you when you go for a viewing.

Where to buy?

Whilst buying from a private seller can often be cheaper, if you’re not a caravan expert this can be a daunting option. However, if you’re confident that you’re getting a good deal – and you know the caravan’s history – it’s certainly worth going for.
On the other hand, buying from a dealer will mean that you will probably be covered by a warranty or some sort of back up should something go wrong. You’ll also be able to browse a range of caravans, which should have been checked and tested before you buy.
As always, research is key. When you finally decide on the right caravan for you, search both online and offline to find the best deal.

And finally …. These days, it may not be as straight forward as storing your caravan on your driveway, as planning regulations can restrict this. CaSSOA caravan storage sites are available across the country, providing safe, accredited storage for your tourer.
Companies like Cover 4 Caravans and Insure My Caravan are good places to start when finding caravan insurance. They often give discounts to caravans stored at CaSSOA caravan storage sites.  

Don't forget to insure your caravan and make sure you’ve got somewhere to store it! Find an approved CaSSOA storage site here

Wednesday 31 January 2018

Top Caravan Blogs

Here at CaSSOA we are always looking to be inspired and love to read about other people’s experiences of caravan life.

This blog simply outlines some of our favourites, if you do have any suggestions for us however, please send them straight across!


Deb and Steve decided they needed to upgrade their camping holidays in 2014 and are now seasoned caravanners, travelling around the UK and Europe. As well as detailing trips across Italy, Spain, France, Germany and of course the UK, In Pursuit of a Dream includes really useful advice on winter caravanning, campsite cooking and product reviews. Updated regularly, this is a must read for all caravanners.

Twitter: @DebLudford 


Claire’s blog is an award winning family travel blog which features a range of holiday inspiration as well as invaluable travel tips and ideas for days out with kids. As the name suggests, Claire is a big fan of caravanning so there are plenty of site reviews and advice on how to survive road trips with a young family. We particularly love how Claire refers to the rest of the family; Mr Tin Box, Tin Box Tot, Tin Box Baby and Tin Box Dog!

Facebook: @tinboxtraveller


It all started 20 years ago when @legsdown started writing home to his parents on a trip to Australia. A blog then followed on a trip to Egypt in 2009.  
Richard has now been caravanning since 2012 and chronicles all his trips, including an epic 3-month trip around the UK, product reviews and a wealth of other caravanning advice and tips.  And finally, we couldn’t not mention the ‘Pubs’ section – a must read for any ale lover – which is a rundown of where to get a decent pint within walking distance of a caravan site.

Twitter: @legsdown
Facebook: @getyourlegsdown


Caravan Chronicles was started in January 2012 about 6 months after Simon & Sue bought their first caravan. They initially thought it’d just be a simple blog about learning to caravan. However, after writing a post about towing, the blog became massively popular and now features ‘How To’ guides, equipment reviews and posts about their travels around the UK and Europe.

Twitter: @CaravanChron 


Jools Mauro lives in a caravan full time, and blogs about what to do and how to do it. With posts about how to check for damp, to dealing with post, caravan security and even Cossack Beard Oil, Jools’ blog is a great read.

Twitter: @caravanliving
  

The Trudgians are a Wiltshire based family who have recently embarked on the great caravan adventure. Their blog is full of useful reviews, and details of their trips. Their YouTube channel is also worth a visit. 

Twitter: @TheTrudgians  
Facebook: @TheTrudgians