Travel & Product Tips

Buying a caravan is a one of greatest decision you will ever make. This will obviously involve a lot of money as well. Hence, yo must make sure that you think of all the considerations that can affect your purchasing decision. The reasons might include the budget, comfort offered by the caravan, and the amenities. Determine your priorities as per the purpose of your trip and smooth up your caravanning experience.

What all things do you actually have to consider:

• The size of the caravan!

If you are planning to go for a lengthy travel topped with comparatively short stays, than a short van can be a perfect pick for you. But, a longer stay might demand a longer van.

• Towing Capacity

If you already have a caravan, consider its towing capacity. If it is not enough, then you should probably go for a new caravan, in exchange of the old one. However, you must realize the fact that a little extra fuel will be required to tow a heavier caravan.

• Comforts and Luxury!

Traveling can be adventurous and comfortable at the same time. All you need to do is make sure that the caravan you are traveling with is well equipped with the comfort elements and luxuries you would need on your way, during your trip. You might have to consider the following facts:

• Number of beds that will be adequate for the whole trip?
• Type of beds- island bed, folded beds, single beds.
• Who all are coming along? Children? Grandchildren? Or are you expecting visitors?
• How do you plan to cook? Barbecue? Microwave? Whatever your plan is, make sure that you carry the essentials and manage the space well in the caravan.
• Do you need a toilet or water board? Are you going to carry water re-fillers? If yes, consider the amount of water you might want to use outdoors, according to the number of members traveling along.

Caravanning is one of best things you can do to unwind yourself from your sedentary lifestyle. However, you need to set you priorities so that once you are in the outdoors, you don’t face any hurdles and end up with a smooth travel experience.

So, what are your priorities while caravanning?

Working on the wiring and electrical system of you caravan isn’t difficult if you know what to do, how to do, and when to do it. All wiring should be done in line with Australian Standards 3000 (general) and 3001 (specific to RVs). This is one of the most important considerations that needs to be made before you go about working with the wiring. This is probably because caravans have certain specific requirements (suc as  double pole power points, earthing and tagging/testing on power leads)when it comes to the wiring It may not be legal to work with the 240v mains supply on your own. But you can definitely work on the 12v wiring.

When working with then caravan’s wiring, it is important to take heed of the following problems which could prove to be problematic.

Drop in Voltage

Voltage drop can be a problem, especially for long lengths of cables. Most people consider 0.5v as the acceptable limit for voltage drop. However, industry experts reckon a 0.15-0.2V drop (at 12V) is a much more acceptable figure. Voltage drop can be avoided easily by ensuring the correct size for the cables and checking all the connections.

Sizing of the Cables

The sizing of the cables causes a lot of confusion, especially when it comes to the standard that needs to be followed. The safest bet is to follow the ISO standard. Make sure that you adhere to these standards when getting the cable for your caravan. Also, check the cable rating carefully and get professional advice if possible. Cable ratings indicate the maximum current that a cable can handle. But this does not necessarily take into consideration the length of the cable itself. Some installations require a specific length of cable to achieve the right charging voltage.

Electric Caravan Awning and Other Accessories

Electric caravan awnings provide great convenience to the caravanner as it sets up the awning within seconds. All it needs is the flick of a switch and the job is done. But the problem with electric awnings or any other caravan accessory that runs with a motor is that low voltage affects its performance. Make sure that you check the wiring and the connections to prevent any damage to the equipment. Accessories such as fridge can be selected in the gas variant to avoid running into problems due to voltage issues.

Lighting

Most lighting systems can accommodate minor voltage drops. You can use low current LEDs as the cable length required with these lights is relatively less and voltage drop doesn’t become a major issue in such cases. It is important to have proper lighting in the caravan, especially at night, so as to have clear view of the area around the caravan.