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Who doesn’t like free stuff? We all die for that free sample with our products or a free coupon. Even caravanners love the prospect of camping in a free caravan park. But just because the offerings are free of charge, doesn’t mean they need to compromise on quality. The key ingredient of a successful caravan park (despite being free) is to ensure that the basic standards are maintained. The higher the quality, the more prospects would be there to invite caravanners in the park.

The first thing that you need to know about free spots is that they would be located remotely and you would have to be self-sufficient in order to survive. The distant location of the site also means that there would be less crowd and you can enjoy a peaceful outing with your close ones. So make sure that you do your research and mark all free caravan parks in your map before starting your journey.

Here are 4 free caravan parks in Australia that every caravanner looks forward to visit.

Aire River

This is a free camping site located in the Otway National Park on the south coast of Victoria. The presence of the river adds a whole new experience to this remote place wherein you can enjoy activities like swimming, boating, fishing and surfing. The ground is easy enough to access and taking a caravan to the desired spot should not pose much difficulties.

Around 100 individual campsites can be accommodated in the entire area, which is divided into the eastern part and the western part (on the opposite sides of the river). However, the best spot lies on the eastern part towards the left as soon as you enter the gates. The reason behind this is that the eastern side has a better surface which allows tents and camps to be set up in a better manner. Moreover, this part offers better protection from weather and other natural elements.

Since the area is close to the beach, the best time of the year to visit this place is during the warm months of summer. The cool water of the river would be a refreshing change from the day’s heat and the stay would be rather pleasant compared to other times of the year.

Barkers Rocks

Barkers Rocks is an amazing escapade from the rush of the city and offers free camping for caravanners. It is located in the Yorke Peninsula on the south coast of South Australia. If you happen to be in the town of Minalton, then it should take you around 10 minutes to reach this place. Barkers Rocks is easily accessible and should not pose a problem while driving here with your caravan.

There are 5 individual camping spots in Barkers Rocks with the best spot being located towards the left of the entrance. Activities that may be done in this area include swimming and fishing. Since access to the beach is difficult from the campsite, you may not be able to launch any watercraft into the waters. But you can take a walk along the walking trail to Port Rickaby to enjoy the scenic location. The best time to visit this place is during the warm months.

Copeland Reserve

The Copeland Reserve is located east of the Copeland Tops State Forest in eastern New South Wales. It should take you only 10 minutes to reach this place if you are travelling from the town of Gloucester. The easiest way to reach this place is to take the Thunderbolts Way road for around 7km, after which you would have to make a left so that you come to the Scone Road.

There are over 100 individual camping spots in the area with the best spot being located towards the left of the entrance. An easy way to identify this spot is to head over to the trees. The vegetation in this place is abundant and offers good shade and protection. But even then, you can erect your caravan annexe for a personal space that has adequate privacy (not that you should necessarily need one in a place like this).

Don’t expect any water sports or activities to be present here. This is a place where you can get up close and personal with nature and try out games like football or volleyball. You can also bring along picnic tables for those who wish to enjoy card games or board games under the cool shade of the trees.

The best part about this free camping ground is that it can be visited all year round. So there is no specific time that can be identified as the best time to visit this place. The weather here is pleasant and the elevation is also appropriate. Moreover, the abundance of grass helps in erecting firm tents and establishing good camps.

Flat Rock

Flat Rock is a free camping ground located on the western fringe of the Great Dividing Range in eastern New South Wales. If you happen to be in or near Bathurst, then don’t forget to visit Flat Rock which is just under 20 minutes from the town. The camping ground is easy to access with the plots just off the main road. The road leading to the camping grounds is sealed and can be traversed by caravans and the towing vehicles.

The best part about this place is the presence of bins and established barbeque areas. Firewood is also available for sale so you don’t have to do a lot of hard work. Just get your stuff, start the fire and enjoy a delicious barbeque dinner or lunch with your family. But remember, you would be required to purchase a code from the local tourist bureau so that you may purchase firewood from the camping ground itself.

There are around 40 individual sites in this location with the best spot being located at the bottom of the hill near the river. This particular spot provides ample protection and is usually preferred by caravanners. The presence of the river allows ample opportunities to undertake adventure activities such as fishing, swimming and even hiking. This amazing camping location can be visited all year round so make sure to drop by if you are in the vicinity.

Caravanners Alert!

The place may be free but it does not mean that you can litter the place. Make sure you bring adequate supplies and resources as you may not get them at the camping site. Moreover, make sure that you clean up before you leave because the last thing that you would want is to leave behind a dirty trail of garbage. It would also be wise to check up on a free camping spot before going there as there might be legal restrictions regarding putting up camp in certain places. A little precaution and preparation can help you to have a great caravan holiday without incurring a lot of expenses.

What do you do when you don’t have power hook-up facilities by which you can run the appliances in your caravan or motorhome? Well, there isn’t much to do if you have not taken the necessary steps to prepare for it. Moreover, you would be confined to limited travelling and exploration as the energy sources in the caravan would not be able to fulfil lengthy usage requirements.

Energy alternatives are gradually gaining prominence as well as popularity among caravanners and travellers because they adhere to green standards and are easy enough to manage during a trip. The initial investment may be a little high as compared to conventional energy sources, but in the long term you would be able to see the benefits for yourself.

Here are 4 energy alternatives that do not rely on fixed power supply sources such as hook-ups and they allow you to explore remote locations without worrying about the caravan running out of power.

Energy Alternative #1: Leisure Batteries

These batteries are capable of providing steady power over long durations and are usually coupled with solar panels for maximum benefits. The intervals between recharge for these batteries are long and this is beneficial in terms of the frequency of breaks required in a journey and the need for finding a power source to recharge the batteries. Nonetheless, these are life savers when no other energy source is within your reach.

The battery life completely depends on your usage style. You need to evaluate the power requirements for all the appliances in your caravan or motorhome so that you can come up with an estimated battery life or charge interval. You should focus on minimizing consumption of energy by turning the batteries off when not in use.

Remember, the leisure batteries should preferably be used for vital appliances and equipment that utilize minimal energy. By not allowing the battery to die out, you can ensure better longevity of its operational life. A good way to do this would be to maintain the battery’s charge above 50% capacity.

Energy Alternative #2: LPG

LPG is usually associated with cooking but it is also used quite often for heating in caravans. This is a convenient option as it usually comes in the form of propane or butane canisters. The canisters allow easy handling and storage. However, you need to be careful with its usage as excessive pressure or mishandling can cause explosions.

With respect to the installation of these canisters in the caravan, you need to attach a low pressure regulator as the canisters have high internal pressure and it would not be possible for the piping system to bear such high pressure. The ideal low pressure value for Butane is 28 mbar and for Propane, the value stands at 37 mbar.

You would also have to take care of ventilation. LPG being heavier than air could accumulate over the floor of the caravan (in the case of leakage) and could result in an explosion if not checked in time. Moreover, you need to understand which LPG suits your needs the most. For example, Propane is the best option (often mandatory) when travelling in freezing weather. This is due to the fact that liquid Propane (held within the canister) has a lower boiling point than Butane which allows the gas to flow out in a better manner.

Butane has the advantage of being less toxic, possessing more energy per litre of fuel, and the canister comes with convenient connections that facilitate easy handling of the units. Butane is generally favoured owing to its feasibility and easy handling. You would generally find Propane in caravans that are headed off to places having cold or freezing weather.

Energy Alternative #3: Generators

Generators are basically machines that use fuel to generate electricity and are portable in nature. The major drawback of using generators is that they create a lot of noise and this can be a problem if the site has restrictions on the noise levels. Ideally, the noise levels created by the generator should be less than 70 db. It would be wise to hear the generator in action before you buy it.

Just getting a generator isn’t enough. You need to take proper precautions for it. Let the generator warm up before connecting it to the outlets. Moreover, avoid the use of high energy appliances as the resulting spike in power could damage low voltage equipment. You should also consider getting a cover for the generator so that it doesn’t get wet.

The weight of the generator also needs to be considered when purchasing one for your caravan. The overall weight can be affected by the addition of the generator. Moreover, the fuel required to run it would also add to the weight. You also have to take appropriate precautions to ensure that the fuel is carefully stored in order to prevent any dire situations.

Energy Alternative #4: Solar Panels

With solar panels, you get a lot of choice and alternatives where your purchase decision is generally influenced by your budget and the available space on your caravan for installing the panels. This may be a clean source of energy, but it does go a little heavy on your pocket. A 15W-30W panel should suffice for trips that are planned for 2-3 days. But for longer trips, you would need a 60 W panel (at least) to supply the appliances with the required energy.

Now the panels themselves do not store the energy. They only convert solar energy into electrical energy and store the same in batteries. So make sure that you do not overcharge the batteries. The best way to ensure this is to use a charge controller which would not allow the battery to accept any charge that is sent beyond its storage capacity. This helps to protect the battery as well as the solar panel.

An important aspect of installing solar panels is the calculation of your power consumption requirements. This is usually measured in Amp Hours. In order to calculate this, you would have to multiply the power consumption value with the number of hours of usage. This gives you the requirement.

For calculating the power generation abilities of your solar panels, you need to multiply the power consumption requirements with the number of hours of day. The calculated value needs to be multiplied further with a constant (0.85) to factor in natural energy losses during the charging process. The final result is the amount of energy that would be supplied to you by the solar panel.

Energy Saving Tips to Minimize Consumption

Energy alternatives are good, but it is even better if you manage to reduce your consumption requirements. Avoid using high power consuming appliances and turn the batteries or other reserves off when not in use. Sometimes it is good to experience the outdoors by sleeping in small tents or sleeping bags next to a camp fire to get the warmth.

These days, you get modern free standing annexes and roll out awnings for your caravans and motorhomes which provide properly enclosed spaces with the comforts of home. You just need to set it up (should take a few minutes to get it done) and you can relax in your very own personal space. What can be better than this?

This is a better alternative to using central heating inside caravans or motorhomes, which just consumes more electricity. Going green would not only help you to lower your energy bills, but it would also make you a contributor towards ecological protection and sustenance.

People in Australia often go on road trips with their family and friends. Now, you might have come across caravan parks that are scattered in the Queensland region. But there are parks in other states in the country. You should definitely check them out, if you can manage the trip and if you have adequate time on your hands.

Here are the top 5 Caravan Parks in New South Wales (Australia). Make sure that you include them in your map the next time you head out on your family caravan holiday.

NRMA Ocean Beach Resort and Holiday Park

This is one place that kids would absolutely fall in love with. Located in the Umina beach area on the central coast, this park has some of the most amazing water based activities for kids. But this does not mean that adults have to stay away from the fun. They can join in too. For those who simply want to relax and chill out with their friends, the heated resort pool and spa is the best place to be. The experience is truly exceptional and you can relax while your kids indulge in the activities at the Adventure Playground and other attractions. Just park your caravan at a dedicated site and you would be good to go.

Website: www.oceanbeachholidaypark.com.au

BIG4 North Star Holiday Resort

This holiday park is situated on the North Coast and has a 5 Star rating which indicates the quality of the services that one can get here. The place caters to children and ensures that they are supervised at all times. In order to keep them entertained, the place has an indoor play center known as Neptune’s Castle which is designed for kids and has adequate safety measures without compromising on the fun factor. Adults also get to indulge in the pleasures of life. They can visit the Seascape Leisure Centre which has facilities like gym, sauna, massage room, 25 m lap pool and other such services. This place is a must-visit location and you should definitely include it in your travel plan.

Website: www.northstar.com.au

BIG4 Dubbo Parklands Holiday Park

For a truly exceptional outback experience, head over to the Big4 Dubbo Parklands Holiday Park where you not only get to camp in your RV, but also get a free barbecue area, jumbo Jumping Pillows®, shaded heated swimming pool and children’s playground. For those who love to watch TV, the recreation room in this park has a large screen television which has access to Australian sports channels. You could also visit the nearby Taronga Western Plains Zoo, which happens to be one of the largest open range zoos in the world. This is within walking / cycling distance from the park, so don’t miss out on this amazing adventure on your next trip to NSW.

Website: www.aspenparks.com.au

NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Park

This is another chilled out Holiday Park in NSW which also caters to caravans. Apart from the usual kid’s playground, there is a sand volleyball court where you have enjoy a good and energetic game of volleyball with family and friends. The park as an onsite café called the Cheeky Mango Café where you can always drop in for a cup of hot coffee and some delicious cake. If you have enough time on your hands, then you could also visit the nearby beaches and the Magic Mountain theme park.

Website: www.merimbulabeachholidaypark.com.au

BIG4 Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park

The BIG4 Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park is located in North Narrabeen and has access to the popular Northern Beaches. This is probably one of the biggest factors which attracts caravanners and travellers here. The place has the required facilities to accommodate caravans so you can drive in here and put up your own camp. You could also take up accommodation in any of the available slots. Apart from the playground and in-house waterpark, you can also avail the services of two laundries, all weather BBQ pavilions, and free wireless internet.

Website: sydneylakeside.com.au

When you are out there on the road with your family and friends, the only thing that you can do is enjoy to the fullest and have lots of fun. Caravan trips do not have to be boring. You can always bring along some form of entertainment such as music instruments, movie DVDs, games (indoor and outdoor), etc. Every one prefers games as a good source of entertainment during trips because people get involved in them and this leads to a far better enjoyment as compared to watching a flick on the way.

Here are 5 games that you can enjoy during your caravan holiday. The list comprises both indoor as well as outdoor games.

Card Games

The world will never get bored of these amazing games. Card games do not necessarily have to be about aces and spades. There are games such as UNO where every member of the family can involve themselves and have a great time. These are great for carrying around as it can fit in the pocket and you can enjoy these games even when it is raining. All you need to do is to erect your caravan awning and sit under the shade and comfort of your very own personal space.

Board Games

Board games are considered as classics where you can try your hand at scrabble, monopoly and lots of other options. Some of you must have even heard about the popular Snakes and Ladders game or Ludo which involves the use of a dice. These might not fit in your pocket, but it definitely occupies less space and you can bring it along on any of your trips.

Video Games

Now this is one for the technology savvy person, especially the kids. Bringing along video games isn’t that hard. You can bring your PCs / laptops, gaming consoles and even handheld devices. Did you know that some smartphones available in the market today are more than capable of delivering high gaming performance which would leave your dumbstruck? This is the best form of indoor entertainment that one could bring along on trips. Just make sure that you have adequate power supply to either power your gaming systems or charge them when the battery drains.

Football / Soccer

This is probably the most adrenaline rush providing and energetic outdoor games that you could indulge in during your trips. There is no need for anything fancy. Just bring your soccer ball and start playing as soon as you find some stretch of land. The best thing about this is that you don’t need to have any particular playing area. All you need are players and two stones to mark the goal. With such preparations done, you can continue showing off your amazing football skills.

Hide and Seek

This is one game that you just cannot replace ever. For those who were born in the 90s and earlier, this game would have been the most preferred indulgence during their childhood. Just gather friends and family and ask one person to close his eyes and count to 10 /50 while the others hide. When the counting is completed, the person needs to locate the others and avoid being pinned. This is an amazing game and offers creative ways to make use of the available space and when you are outdoors, you can get to explore those nooks and corners for finding the best hiding spots in the vicinity.

Owing to the increasing number of caravanners in Australia, various dedicated “Caravan Parks” have come up which have properly managed plots with basic facilities such as electricity outlet, water supply and others. But with the multitude of caravan parks sprouting everywhere, how do you get to know which one is the best for you? There are a lot of considerations to make before you can decide on a park. You can also checkout the older post about top 4 locations for caravan trips in Australia.

Here are the top 5 Caravan Parks in Queensland (Australia). This should narrow down your choices when you are making a travel plan. But even then, do check out other places if they suit you more than these.

Brisbane Holiday Village

This is a modern caravan park that offers a unique experience that is second to none. It is suitably located just 12 minutes from Brisbane city and it takes only 25 minutes to reach this place from any Gold Coast Theme Park. This park has something to offer to every individual even if the person is extremely demanding in nature.

Apart from the self-contained holiday cabins, semi-permanent cabins, powered caravan sites, ensuite caravan sites and tent sites, you also get Inca themed facilities that are a rage among the kids. Even the elderly love these attractions and for those who love to relax with a game of golf, this park has an 18 hole putt-putt course.

The staff is very friendly and are always ready to help out their guests. Moreover, the modern integrations that have been done in this 33 acre landscape is truly amazing. If you have a caravan and you are planning a trip, make sure you check out this award winning park on your way.

Toowoomba Motor Village Caravan Park

Located in the southern region of the city center, the Toowoomba Motor Village offers a great experience not only to its regular clientele, but also to caravanners who are able to get good spots as well as amenities here. You can choose from a wide selection of self-contained holiday units, ensuite cabins, on-site vans and spacious powered caravan sites with concrete slabs provided for annexes.

Professional designers were responsible for the way this place has been constructed and this is the reason behind the presence of sealed roads as well as amenities that include gutters with water and power outlets and drainage for each site. The availability of drainage is an important aspect that most caravan parks do not seem to give adequate consideration. Proper drainage helps to ensure the maintenance of good hygiene standards.

This place has natural shade being provided by the lush green vegetation that is maintained by the staff. All in all, the Toowoomba Park is one of the best places to include in your caravan holiday. Don’t forget to check it out if you headed this way.

Nobby Beach Holiday Park

The Nobby Beach Holiday Park offers a relaxed and chilled out environment apart from some of the best restaurants, cafes and local shopping. It has everything that a modern family desires, including a modern play- ground, large entertainment/BBQ area, and a sparkling pool with possibly the largest water slide to exist in the entire Gold Coast.

For caravanners, this place is the perfect place for parking up on one of the dedicated caravan sites and gearing up to enjoy the lush surroundings of this amazing place. The facilities are spacious enough to accommodate large families while giving couples some much needed personal space. At Nobby’s you can be as relaxed or as adventurous as you want. This place has something to satiate the needs of even the most demanding guest.

Southside Holiday Village

The Southside Holiday Village is located near the southern entrance to Rockhampton and it is really interesting that this place lies on the Tropic of Capricorn. The park is conveniently located just 5 minutes from the Rockhampton City Center. It is spread across 10 acres of landscaped area which reflects the elements of village life in its presentation.

For those who love to spend time amidst nature, this park will simply take your breath away with its palms, lagoon and tropical gardens. And the best part about this place is that you can get all of your daily needs and supplies at the mini-shop that has been established on site. So now, you won’t have to wander away in search for products and basic things. This park caters to couples, families, groups or corporate travellers. Don’t forget to check out this amazing place if you are in the vicinity.

Happy Wanderer Village

If you are in Hervey Bay, then the Happy Wanderer Village is the best place to put up your camp. In 2012, this park was awarded with the “Best Tourist Park” & “Best Tourism Business” awards. This park sprawls over 8 acres of natural environment and modern amenities.

If you are an adventure loving individual, then you may ask the staff for some assistance in planning the perfect day out where you would get to enjoy Whale watching, coral viewing, and fishing. There are many more activities so make sure you ask around to check out some of the most mesmerizing locations in the region.

For those who want to put up their feet and spend some nice time relaxing, you can simply put up your caravan awning and just enjoy the scenic beauty over some hot coffee or even some chilled beer. This is also one of the few parks to have proper Wi-Fi connectivity and apart from an internet café, fax and good mobile network coverage. Seems like a nice place to enjoy your holiday after all!

No matter how luxurious and spacious your caravan annexe may be, it would be of no use if the interior is pretty hot. It would not be possible for you to sit inside for even a few minutes. The thing with annexes is that they are usually made from water resistant fabrics and these materials can trap heat inside if proper ventilation is not provided for it. Apart from adding ventilation, it would be better if you could get as much shade as possible so that the air inside the annexe gets less chances of heating up.

Here are some valuable tips for maintaining a cool environment inside your caravan annexe.

Try To Erect Your Annexe in a Shade

This is the easiest way to ensure cooling inside the annexe. When you park your caravan, try to find a spot that has some natural cover which would protect the annexe from direct sunlight. This will give less chances for the air inside the annexe to heat up. But make sure that you have enough open space around the annexe so that air may flow without much obstruction.

Open Up Those Windows and Doors

If you keep the doors and windows closed, the warm air will circulate inside and increase the temperature. It would be better if you open them up and allow proper ventilation for the annexe. You can use meshes when you are in an area that has a lot of bugs or insects so that you can allow ventilation while keeping the menacing bugs out. There are annexes that have large sized windows and doors. It would be really beneficial to acquire such annexes as they allow better ventilation.

Avoid Keeping Any Heating Medium Inside the Annexe

You would want to cook food in the comfort of your annexe but that would not be such a good idea. By heating up a barbeque inside or by cooking inside, you would only raise the internal temperature and you would increase the risk of fire if the heat was not managed properly. If you have to cook inside, then make sure that the windows and doors are open and you have adequate safety measures with you.

Use Annexes Made From Materials that Support Cooling

Technology has blessed us with advancements in fabrics and materials wherein it is possible to get annexes made from materials that support cooling. These materials prevent the internal temperature from being raised excessively and also allow proper ventilation and this helps to maintain a more or less cool environment inside the annexe.

Choosing the right awning for your caravan can be quite a tricky job, especially when you have a lot of options. It becomes difficult to decide the one awning for your caravan that would suffice all your requirements while being within your budget. Let’s narrow it down to a few great options that would make it easier for you to pick the best awning for your caravan.

Here are the top 7 awnings that would fulfill your requirements along with upholding the highest quality standards.

Fiamma F45s Wind Out Awning

This is a European Style awning that is perfectly suited for Jayco campers, Hiace, Small campers, and large motorhomes. This wind-out awning is very easy to install and you only need to pull it out and position the supporting arms. In accordance with the length of the awning, only 2 or 3 brackets need to be used for this awning type. This is the perfect awning for the casual traveler.

Austrong Awning Vinyls

This is AWA’s special replacement awning vinyl which has heavy-duty fabric for reducing wear and tear, sunblock features for keeping the shade under the awning cool enough, modern color schemes, and high-frequency welding that offers complete waterproofing. It would also fit your budget while surpassing many common-grade types of vinyl that you may come across in the market.

Carefree Awning Vinyl

Cost: Starting from $459

This is an awning that has been carefully designed by AWA for providing a cool shade under the awning as well as inside the annex. It is pretty easy to install also. All you need to do is to slip it through the sail track and then the guy ropes, as well as poles, may be used to keep the awning intact. This awning is durable enough to withstand heavy hailstorms and even acts as a cushion so that the sound of falling rain or debris is muffled. Now, this is something that every camper would look forward to, as peaceful sleep is not always possible in the outdoors. But when you have this awning, you can have a peaceful slumber.

Allshield 4X4 Awning

This is an amazing awning that is made for 4WD vehicles. The fabric is capable of cooling down the temperature in the shade and is durable enough to withstand natural forces. This means you can be relaxed and cozy under it. With convenient installation requirements, this awning can be set up in a very small duration and it does not take much effort to do so. All you need to do is to pull out the awning and then use the guy ropes as well as the supporting poles to erect it.

Carefree Fiesta Caravan Rollout Awning

Cost: Starting from $459

This is probably the only caravan rollout awning in the market to have such a low price tag and one of the few heavy-duty caravan awnings to get. But the low price does not indicate in any manner that the required quality is absent. This awning is pretty good and is made from good quality materials. The heavy-duty fabric used in the awning is easy to manage and seems to appeal to customers in the budget segment who are interested to buy the best rollout caravan awning but do not wish to spend a lot of money on it.

Dometic 9000 Caravan Rollout Awning

This is a premium offering in the rollout awning for caravans segment where you get all the features that were provided in the Domestic 8500 model, and you get an additional feature which comprises comprising thick grade vinyl color on both sides. The arms have been strengthened for this awning by integrating the cast iron locking mechanism. This product shows the brilliance of AWA’s designs and it is a perfect amalgamation of durability, performance, and visual appeal.

Camper Room Awning Walls

Now, this is what innovation looks like! AWA has come up with this amazing product that can be equipped on any wind-up camper. The camper room comprises a simple rollout bag awning that is attached to the camper with the use of a sail rack. An anti-flap kit is also used to prevent the awning from flapping. The sail rack also serves the function of accommodating the inclusion of a full annex or walls. With this amazing product, the comfort of your home is just a few minutes away.

Most caravan parks and sites, these days have levelled grounds so that caravanners do not have to go through the hassles of adjusting the level of their RV. But you could come across some patches of ground that may not be very even. The best way to manage such situations is to always keep yourself prepared with the tools that are needed for the job.

Why Does the Caravan Need Levelling?

Caravans of all ages need to be placed on a levelled pitch for one crucial thing – comfort. These RVs can handle a variation of 10 degrees but anything more than that could cause numerous problems. In terms of comfort, you can imagine the difficulties that you would have if the caravan is tilted to one side. Things would be falling down. There could be damage to the internal systems due to excessive load being kept on one side. Electrical appliances such as fridge require a certain level angle for them to function properly. The list of problems just goes on and on. Moreover, with an uneven ground, you would not be able to set up your caravan awnings or annexes perfectly.

How Can You Adjust the Caravan’s Level?

There are loads of caravan levelling products out there in the market. Sometimes the users come up with their own custom tools. But it is just a matter of you preferences and expertise. But before you go about adjusting the level of the caravan, you need to get yourselves a contractors levelling tool. You need to place it inside the caravan (on the floor of the RV) and make sure that the bubble in the tool is in the right place. This is an easy and highly effective way of measuring the level of the vehicle.

Now, the most common way to adjust the level of the caravan is to use levelling blocks. You just place the blocks in front of the tyres of the side that you need to raise and simply drive the caravan on to it. This is good for people who have some experience in handling RVs and manoeuvring them around. Always remember to move in the forward direction when bring the caravan on to the levelling blocks. This will ensure that the breaks are active. When you reverse the vehicles, the breaks are not active and such conditions are not good for bringing the vehicle on to a ramp.

Such levelling blocks are good but they are often a bit narrow and are suitable for hard ground. But what about grassy areas and soft grounds? The sheer weight of the caravan could cause the block to push into the ground and this may affect the overall levelling. You need to use a block that has a wider surface area so that the weight is distributed more evenly across the block.

Some people may find this a bit difficult. For such people, the tyre jack tool is a good alternative. You just need to apply the handbrakes, fix the jack under the tyre and then crank the level to raise the level of the jack. With this, you can adjust the height of the required side as well. The only downside with this tool is that it takes a lot of time to get the caravan levelled. You need to keep cranking the jack till you get the required height.

So there you have it. Don’t forget to bring along your measuring tool and the levelling blocks / jacks on your trip so that you can get a good levelled RV irrespective of the ground conditions. However, it would be good to check out the place or at least find out about the ground’s conditions so that you have better resources with you for achieving a perfectly levelled position for the caravan.

I am sure most caravan owners (who installed roll-out awnings on their caravans) have faced the problem when the RV awning not retracting straight. While most of you might be thinking, the entire structure of the caravan rollout awning is the cause, your RV awning won’t roll-up, the issue might only be with the alignment and the position of the RV awning arms. Another reason could be due to the stretching of the fabric or missing a component. A thorough inspection would reveal the truth.

Now, the problem with the improper retraction of the awning is that there may be more than one scenario why the manual awning won't retract. Read the correct way to erect a caravan awning, if not already.

Cause #1

One of the possible causes may be that the awning’s position, where it attaches to the coach via the awning rail, has moved. Ideally, during installation, the awning should be fitted perfectly with both arms being positioned parallel with the awning fabric stretching between these arms. You need to ensure, this is evenly spread out, as the slightest variation could cause uneven retraction.

Solution: This would call for the RV awning arm repair. Realign the RV awning arms and make sure they stay in their position. If it needs replacing, then get that done at the earliest.

Cause #2

Another reason your awning is not retracting well could be the screws on the awning chord. You also need to check the awning chord that is placed along with the screws on the awning rail. This chord should not move, you need to keep it intact in its position. If you are experiencing retraction issues, then it is possible that the screws have come loose.

Solution: How to fix the awning in this case? Check the screws and make sure the chord is positioned correctly.

Cause #3

Check the awning arms and their movement. These arms should be perfectly parallel to each other and they should be perpendicular to the caravan. Their movement should be unrestricted and should have perfect alignment of all the components. Failure to keep these things in check will result in the rollout awning from being retracted smoothly.

Solution: To troubleshoot retractable awning arm repair you could use lubrication to make the movement smooth. In case of a structural defect that may be hindering the smooth movement, you need to get it repaired or replaced (in the worst case).

Cause #4

The third possibility of a bad retraction could be the fabric of the caravan awnings has over-stretched, either due to manual force or due to the weight of the water accumulated on it. The stretching of the RV awning fabric causes the retraction to be uneven as the length of the fabric gets distorted.

Solution: The only RV awning troubleshoot option you are left with is to replace the fabric completely.

So you have bought your very own caravan or you could have even acquired it on rental. You may also have finished storing your things in it and filling it up with supplies. But hold on a second! Do you know how to hitch a caravan to a car? Is your method the correct approach? It is interesting to know that most caravan owners are not aware of the correct way to attach or detach a caravan to the towing vehicle. Using the wrong technique could not only increase the risk to the components but if the hitching is not a good fit, then the connection could separate during transit. You would not want that to happen, do you?

Before you learn how to hitch the caravan to your towing vehicle, you need to understand the basic construction of the caravan. The towing mechanism comprises a protruding section in the front end of the caravan which has a jockey wheel (for providing support when the caravan is not attached and also for adjusting the height of the posterior section during hitching), a tow ball and holding components. If the bearings or the ball becomes smooth or it has a fresh layer of paint on it, then use something to scrape it and make it rough for better friction.

Follow these steps to hitch the caravan safely and effectively onto a towing vehicle. Use precaution at all times and keep an eye out for anything that does not seem right.

• Lower the jockey wheel and make sure you open it up just a tad bit more so that the locking joint comes above the tow ball. When the components are in position, the jockey wheel can be pulled up to ensure that the joint is fixed properly.
• Slowly back up the towing vehicle to the caravan. Make sure that you keep the windows of the car open so that the driver can hear your instructions clearly. The last thing that you would want is for the car to back up in the wrong manner and hit the caravan’s front which would damage both the car and the caravan.
• Before you actually hitch the caravan to the car, you need to attach the breakaway cable. The breakaway cable is a safety device that prevents the car from moving away from the caravan. The cable applies the brakes if the vehicle moves out of control.
• With the cable in place, you need to position the fixing joint above the tow ball and then lower the height of the caravan by pulling the jockey wheel up. The contraption should produce a clicking sound as soon as the tow ball is positioned perfectly in the hitch head. Juts give it a tug to make sure that it has a perfect fit.
• When the tow ball has been securely held in place, apply the lock to strength the bond.
• After this, apply the hitch head stabilizer. This can be done by pushing down on it and this activates the two lateral pads that are placed on it.
• Now wind up the jockey wheel completely till it is position in the provided groove. Once it is free, pull it up and bring it to the travelling position. Hold the wheel in place by applying the provided clamp. This will keep the wheel nice and secure in position and the tight grip will prevent it from wriggling around during transit.
• With the mechanical connections done properly, it is time to connect the electrical components. Connect the electric cable protruding from the caravan to the socket on the car. This socket should be present next to the tow ball section. As a safety precaution, you may twist the electric cable so that it does not dangle between the car and the caravan.
• The last thing that you need to do is to take the hand-break off and you are ready to go.

Following these steps could save you a lot of hassles and you would also prevent damage to the caravan or the car. After all, no one likes to bring along a baggage of issues when out on a holiday!

All caravanners do have an awning or an annexe installed in their caravans or motor homes as it gives you the extended personal space that you deserve. With a caravan annexe or an awning, you can take the comforts of home with you on your trip (even if the comforts are a little). You may have taken the time to understand the install the best caravan awning but are you aware of the correct way to erect a caravan awning? In our previous post, we shared about how to set up a roll out awning.

If you do it incorrectly, or you just open it up without paying attention to the details, then you could damage the awning soon enough. The following steps will show you how it’s done correctly.

1. Refer to the supplied frame diagram for your RV / caravan and layout the frame in front of the vehicle.
2. The next step involves folding out the awning and laying it on the ground just next to the frame. (The two front panels of the awning should be placed aside safely.)
3. Now you need to find the leading edge of the awning bead and this needs to be fed into the awning channel. (The channel is the railing structure that goes along the way around the side of the caravan). Make sure that you do this prior to installing the frame onto the vehicle. The awning needs to be fed all the way around the channel until central on the caravan.
4. With the awning now in position on the caravan, the bracket pads need to be installed. They should be attached on either side and one needs to be placed in the centre.
5. It is time to assemble the frame onto the caravan as the awning has been fed properly into the railing and the bracket pads have been placed so the awning would stay intact. This will make it easy to work with the frame.
6. You should start the assembly with the centre roof pole wherein the first pole needs to be fed through the pocket that is located in the front of the awning. One end of the pole is fixed to the centre bracket pad that was installed earlier.
7. Now the centre leg needs to be attached with the leg being angled back towards the caravan. This is important as it would prevent the frame from collapsing under the weight during the frame’s assembly. (The same process needs to be repeated for the two side roof poles and the legs).
8. The front poles need to be attached to the frame as soon as the first side frame has been assembled properly.
9. Once the assembly for the above stage has been completed, the leg heights need to be adjusted so that the top of the side panels are aligned in a horizontal plane.
10. Now use the quick release clamp to give tension to the roof poles but remember to make only a slight change.
11. The next thing that would have to be done is to attach the canopy poles. (You need to check whether this component is provided with your awning set.) During the process, you need to ensure that the protective piece of fabric is seated properly between the pole and the canopy.
12. It’s almost done. Now you need to zip in the two front panels. This needs to be done carefully. First you need to move the first zip to the third quarter position and then continue zipping from the bottom.
13. Once this is done, use the quick release clamps to give tension to the front poles. This will bring the central leg to the awning’s centre.
14. The final step in the process is to peg out the awning. For this you need to make sure that the mud wall is neatly tucked under the awning. It is best to start with one of the rear points. Attach the tension peg and then hammer it till it goes through half way. Now apply tension and lock off. Then continue hammering it till it goes all the way in.
15. The front corners need to be pegged next. But first, check that the awning is pulled tight and the leg is aptly located down the seam.
16. When you finish pegging off the other points, the awning is ready for use.
17. As a safety measure you could fit a tie down kit (which is available with most vendors and dealers) as this comes in handy during windy conditions.

Accommodation tends to be a problem when you are on a vacation. Not only do you have to keep up with overbooked accommodation, but you also have to manage he costs that are often charged for them. But despite such accommodation being available, you just cannot get the comfort, personal space and privacy that you are accustomed to in your home. This is the reason behind people considering the use of RVs such as caravans and motorhomes.

But before you invest in an RV, you need to understand the difference between a motorhome and a caravan as they have some distinct features and you should evaluate them to find the one that suits your needs perfectly. You should definitely check your family size, travel requirements, holiday frequency and your budget before you invest in a caravan or a motorhome.

Overall Design

The design is the main difference between the two. While the motorhome is a readymade personal space (with all the comforts of home) attached to the vehicle, the caravan is an independent housing structure that needs to be towed by a second vehicle.

Duration of Usage

Caravans are good options for short stays and can be rented from rental services as and when required. These have to be set up wherever you plan on parking and camping for your stay, so be prepared for some manual work. You could go for an electrically operated version but even then there are some manual tasks such as levelling and stabilizing that you have to do the old fashioned way.

Motorhomes are good for long holidays where you would want to park up your vehicle anywhere without having to erect your portable home every time you stop. And the best part about motorhomes is that the family members can relax in a homely environment even when the entire contraption is being driven around.

Weight

Caravans have to be considered on the basis of their size and weight as they have to be towed around so the towing vehicle should be capable of doing this. Moreover, the manoeuvrability of caravans is difficult owning to the separate housing structure.

Motorhomes, however, have the housing structure attached to the vehicle so it offers a world of convenience to the users. But be advised that the attached motor component in a motorhome will make it expensive.