Travel & Product Tips

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.

Worried about managing repairs for your caravan accessories while being on the move? The problem with managing repairs during caravan trips is that you might not have easy access to a garage. Who knows when you might need to get it fixed? Sometimes the problem can be more serious that what it may seem. In such cases, you need to be aware of the ways in which the caravan accessories may be fixed.

Check out these simple fixes for your essential caravan accessories. These can be done while being on the move and also if your caravan is left standing in your own garage. With these small fixes, you can also save money by avoiding unnecessary expenses.

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LPG Cylinders

Gas cylinders offer great convenience on the road, but if they are dangerous if left unchecked. You need to check them periodically and be vigilant for detecting possible leakage. The moment you find such signs, you need to act quickly and correctly to prevent fatal outcomes.

Awning

While the awning offers shade, comfort and a personal space, it can prove to be an unnecessary hassle if minor problems are left unchecked. You might feel that dirt accumulation on the fabric might not cause problems, but these things weaken the awning structure and you would not be able to enjoy the comfort that you expect from it.

TV/Radio Antenna

Portable entertainment is always desired while being on the move. When you have your very own caravan, then its always more enjoyable to have a TV or radio at your disposal. Check for signs of damage or incorrect functioning of the TV / radio antenna for avoiding issues with the system. This will ensure that you get uninterrupted entertainment throughout the trip.

Awning Extensions

Awning extensions are great additions to the conventional caravan awning. But they might get stuck or may not attach properly. It doesn’t take much to make sure that the extensions work properly. Applying a little wax to the zip should do the trick.

It is important for the caravan to be setup on level land. But when you are out in the wild, getting a perfectly levelled patch may not be feasible. What do you do in such cases? Use levelers of course. These come in different orientations and help to keep the caravan levelled on uneven ground.

Jockey Wheels

Jockey wheels are one of the most important components of a caravan and is responsible for keeping it connected safely to the towing vehicle. Without the jockey wheel, it would not be possible to tow it. If any problem is detected in it, then your caravan would be at a great risk of meeting with an accident. Fix it as soon as you come to know about the problem.

Leisure Batteries

Without leisure batteries, you won’t be able to operate the electrical equipment inside your caravan. Although it might not make things unbearable, but you will certainly have to give up certain luxuries to live without these batteries. Check them in time to avoid running out of battery charge completely.

Water Containers

Water is an important resource and running out of this essential resource can turn out to be a major problem. Make sure that you keep an eye out for problems with the water containers. Fix them immediately if you want to avoid running out of water completely with no readily available source nearby.

Having trouble with your caravan awning? You don’t always have to take it to the garage to get it repaired or checked up. A periodic checkup is always good as it helps to conduct timely maintenance of the caravan. But there is no need to rush to the garage every time you come across a problem with the caravan awning. After all, if you are on the road, you would have to manage things on your own with little or no help available on the way.

Here are some quick fixes for your caravan awnings that you can manage on your own without any professional help. These are mere suggestions that will allow you to make quick fixes. If you find that the problem is severe, then it would be better to get it checked at the garage or by an expert to avoid incurring further damage.

Replacing Awning Straps Without Disassembling the Caravan Awning

Awning straps can get worn out and may not be effective enough in this condition. While it is easy to replace the straps, one usually has to disassemble the entire structure for getting the job done. There is a good chance that the strap may be torn partially at the point where it is connected to the awning channel. All you need to do is to drill a hole at a 45 degree angle in the channel to get the old strap out and install the new one in its place. The new strap easily slides into the channel. The only thing that you need to be careful about is to make the hole perfectly. You can do it with a cordless drill as well. The best thing about this approach is that you don’t need to disassemble everything for replacing the strap.

Repairing Rips, Tears and Punctures to Awnings

Rips, tears and punctures to caravan awnings are inevitable when you are on the road. There can be countless reasons behind such minor damages. Don’t worry. These things will not require the entire awning to be replaced. Simply use awning repair tapes to repair the fabric and keep it in place so that further damage is avoided. The tapes have a very strong adhesive layer which allows the bonds to be highly cohesive. It is this feature which holds the fabric together and keeps minor tears from becoming worse when the awning is set up.

Fixing Uneven Winding of the Awning

You must have faced the problem of uneven retracting or winding of the caravan awning. This needs to be kept perfectly aligned. During installation, it is generally ensured that the awning is fitted perfectly with both arms being positioned in parallel and the awning fabric is made to stretch between these arms. The best solution for this is to realign the arms and make sure they stay in their position.

You should also check the screws and make sure the chord is positioned correctly. For hindered movement, you could use lubrication for reducing friction during movement. If you notice any structural defect, then the most effective solution would be to get it checked by a professional. By attempting to repair the problem, you could actually end up worsening the problem. Replacement should only be considered as a last resort.

If you have ever gone on a caravan holiday, then you know very well how tiring it can be to maneuver the caravan and control it with the towing vehicle. This isn’t one of those rides where you have to handle a different vehicle altogether. You need to control the towing vehicle as well as the caravan. Now the problem with towing it is that the rear view is blocked by the caravan. This can make it a bit difficult to check out the rear view properly.

Land Rover has developed an innovative “see through” technology that makes a trailer or caravan ‘disappear’ in the rear-view mirror. This gives the feeling that the caravan has become invisible. No one has come up with spells or an invisibility cloak that can manage this trick. Plus, this is as real as it gets. So don’t mistake it for a hoax. The research’s findings has been demonstrated at the Burghley Horse Trials in the UK where a Range Rover prototype was used for the test.

Check out the video of the see-through technology below.

The system has been designed to work in a way such that the blind spot is removed while towing the caravan. This not only makes it safer to overtake other vehicles, but also helps in controlling the parking as well as reversing maneuvers. The concept behind this technology is simple yet effective. The video feed from the vehicle’s existing surround camera system is mixed with the video from a digital wireless camera that is placed at the rear end of the caravan. Once the video feed is mixed to create a live video, the caravan gets a see-through appearance. The beauty of this technology is that the live video is made to appear on the rear view mirror, thereby creating an almost realistic experience for the driver.

Wolfgang Epple, director of research and technology at Land Rover, said, “When you are overtaking it is instinctive to check your mirrors, but if you are towing your vision is often restricted with large blind spots. Our Transparent Trailer project is researching how we could offer a view out of the vehicle unrestricted by your trailer, no matter what its size or shape. Our prototype system offers a very high quality video image with no distortion of other cars or obstructions.”

This new technology will definitely help to reduce the number of accidents that occur while overtaking and even drivers with relatively less experience in maneuvering caravans would be able to manage the movements with ease. As of now, the technology has been tried with a prototype. However, a full-fledged commercial application will reveal the true capabilities for this innovative technology. Also, it would be interesting to see how the system works in a real caravan setting where accessories such as caravan awnings are installed along with other components.

Caravan maintenance is an important and essential activity that will not only save you money, but also prevent excessive damages from being incurred. It is possible that the caravan is standing in your garage for a few months and you have just taken it out. It is also possible that you have just returned from a road trip. In either case, it is important to inspect the caravan for signs of damage and get repair work done if required.

Here are some tips that will not only help you to maintain the caravan properly, but also ensure that you don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket for it.

Keep the Roof Covered

If your caravan is sitting idle, it is better to keep it covered. The longer you leave the roof exposed, the greater would be the damage inflicted on the roof. Falling debris will anyway cause damage. But if you leave dirt on for quite a long time, it can create a lot of problem which would prove to be an expensive affair. Would you want that to happen? Make sure that the roof is covered and even if you cover the entire caravan, try to pull it down and ensure a proper fit. Loose ends would result in flapping of the cover which would scrape against the paint and damage the surface.

Check the Sealing Periodically

The door, windows and roof on your caravan will have seals on them to prevent moisture and dirt from getting inside. The thick rubber seals need to be checked regularly for signs of damage. Remember, the older the seal, the more chances exist for leakage. As the rubber seal gets older, the material tends to dry out and develop cracks. It is these cracks that allow passage of moisture. If the seal is worn out, remove it completely and install a fresh seal.

Get the Engine Serviced

Do not neglect the engine under any circumstances. You need to get the oil changed on time. Failing to do so will affect your caravan’s engine. Also get the ignition checked. The engine needs to be in perfect working order for you to enjoy smooth operation and trouble free rides. A properly maintained engine would also have an optimized fuel consumption which means direct savings on fuel costs as well.

Clean at the First Sign of Fungal Growth or Dirt Accumulation

Have you seen green colored patches developing on the caravan’s surface? These are fungal growths that can cause damage to the surface if not treated in time. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to get it cleaned. You need to know the right cleaning method and have the right tools as well as cleaning agents to get the job done. If you are unsure about it, consult with a caravan service expert to get some friendly tips for keeping your caravan clean.

Inspect Your Caravan Awnings

Caravan awnings offer homely comfort and a great degree of convenience which comes as a huge relief when you are out there on the road. Make sure that the caravan awning is properly functional and the extending / contracting motion is smooth. Check the awning fabric for signs of damage. If needed, clean it thoroughly. Ask an awning expert for tips on how to clean a caravan awning.

Check the Tires

The tires are crucial to your caravan’s smooth performance because they support the entire weight of the vehicle and without a proper set of wheels, maneuvering the caravan would be very difficult. Plus, the risk of ending up in an accident is also high. Would you be willing to take such a risk? Inspect the tires for signs of damage, especially cracks, and determine their usability. Change it if there are cracks and you need to take the caravan out. This might seem like a hefty investment, but it will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Maintaining the caravan isn’t difficult if you do it on time. All it needs is timely intervention and proper cleaning to keep the caravan in proper health and running condition. Do you have any maintenance tips? Share them in the comments section below.

It is not uncommon for caravans to catch fire, especially if people have been careless about keeping things under control. The harsh reality is that a caravan fire is 9 times more like to cause fatal outcomes than house fires. There is just so many things that can lead to a caravan combustion. Fire safety officers around the world emphasize the use of certain precautions that can help to avoid any mishap arising from accidental fires.

It doesn’t take a lot of efforts to keep fire at bay. For example, you need to check the spacing between adjacent caravans when camping for the night. Ideally, the vans should be parked at six meters apart. This will ensure that fire doesn’t spread to the adjacent vehicles if one of them should catch a fire. Caravan parks usually have well-spaced sites for caravans. Plus, they have the necessary precautions to control fire in emergency situations.

The next thing that you need to check is the electrical system of the caravan. Faulty cables or short circuits can cause sparks which eventually give rise to fire. There are so many things inside the caravan that can easily catch fire. Moreover, the presence of gas inside the caravan itself increases the risk of fatal damage. Get your caravan’s electrical connections checked regularly, especially if you tend to travel a lot.

Although some caravanners claim that they had no problem cooking inside a caravan awning, you should avoid setting up a barbeque inside the awning itself. The caravan awning is meant to be a personal space for your comfort and convenience. If you set up a barbeque, then the rising heat or the cinders could cause the awning fabric to catch fire. It is better to cook out in the open and enjoy the meal inside the awning. In case you plan on cooking inside the caravan, make sure that you turn it off before going outside. Leaving it unattended could result in a fire.

Why wait for the problem to crop up in the first place? Keep a smoke alarm and some fire extinguishers handy just in case a fire should break out. This will not only alert you on time, but also ensure that you have the tools within your reach to control the situation. Without proper preparation and precaution, you would have to bear the risk of caravan combustion.

If you are reading this, then there is a good chance that you have a caravan awning with you already. For those who have just bought a new caravan awning, congratulations for the new accessory. I am sure that you would love the homely comfort and the convenience that it will provide. No matter where you go in your caravan, you will always have your personal space with you when you set up camp. What can be more comfortable than having your own personal space during a road trip?

Buying the awning is just the initial step. You need to take good care of the caravan awning for ensuring long term usage and preventing damage which would require additional investment to be made for repairs. Check out the following useful tips that will help you to prevent damage to the caravan awning and help you to get the most out of it.

Practice Setting Up the Awning at Your Home

Practicing setting up the caravan awning at home is the best way to get used to it. When trying it out at home, you are in your comfort zone and if you run into trouble, you will be able to get help. This isn’t the case if you are on the road. Help may or may not be available. Learning how to setup a caravan awning the right way will be beneficial for you and it will also help you in avoiding problems. This prove to be very useful if you have just bought a new awning.

Get Help If You Are Not Able to Set Up the Awning Yourself

You should not be reluctant to ask for help. If you are not able to get the job done yourself, you should ask for help from your neighbors and friends. This is way better than fumbling around during a road trip and facing embarrassment in front of seasoned caravanners. I am sure you wouldn’t want this to happen.

Check the Wind’s Direction When You Camp

If you decide to put up in a caravan park, then ask the site owner about the direction of the prevailing winds. This will help you to position the awning appropriately such that it is protected in case the wind speed increases. Don’t depend completely on the site owner for the wind speed and direction. It is possible that these factors may change without prior intimation. Use a wind sock just as a precautionary measure.

Stay Tuned to Weather Forecasts

Stay tuned to the daily weather forecasts and make sure that you take the necessary precautions to prevent damages to the caravan awning. If it is likely to get windy, take the awning down. There could be other weather conditions that might affect the area where you are camped. It is better to be prepared than risking damage to the caravan and its accessories.

Remove the Awning Early to Prevent Moisture

Make sure that you remove the awning during the afternoon or a day before you intend to leave. This will prevent moisture from developing on the awning. Since the awning’s fabric needs to be dried naturally, you would have to wait for it to dry completely before moving on. If the awning’s fabric isn’t dry before you roll it up and put it away, there is a good chance that mildew will form and it will damage the fabric. Just plan your things properly and you should be able to avoid running into problems.

Get Your Caravan Awning Insured

Make sure that you have the right insurance policy that not only provides cover for your caravan but also for the awning. Not all caravan insurance policies cover awnings, so consult with the insurance company and get the right policy. This will help you to mitigate losses if incurred.

So you have finally decided to buy a caravan annexe. That’s good. You are probably checking out caravan annexes for sale online or you may be planning to visit a store soon.This could be your first annexe or maybe the current one has become too worn out for use. In either case, it is important for you to choose the best and most suitable annexe for your caravan, or else you could run into problems later. If you have bought an annexe before, then it should not be much difficult to buy another one. Just make sure you consider the following points before making up your mind.

Fresh Awning or Used Annexe

This is an important consideration to make. It is not necessary that you should always go for a fresh and completely new annexes for your caravan. Used annexes are just as good provided that you are able to check it thoroughly before buying. The amount of efforts required to analyse the awning is much less for new annexes. Second hand annexes will need for be checked for damages, wear and tear, fabric quality, repair requirements and other essential parameters. If you know exactly what you need and are confident about your selection, then you could go for used caravan annexes as it would cost less and still deliver the expected performance.

Never Compromise with Fit

Irrespective of the visual appeal of the annexe, you should never ever compromise with fit. There is a reason that these things are made to order for specific measurements of your caravan. If you are not sure measuring your caravan to determine the dimensions of the required annexe, then consult with experts or manufacturers or you could check out online resources to help you understand the correct way of taking measurements.

Consider Annexe Size

Annexes come in different sizes. You need to check out the annexe and determine whether the size is compatible with your usage requirements. If you have a small travelling group and the frequency of your trips isn’t much, then you could go for a simple caravan annexe that would not only serve your purpose, but also keep investments at nominal levels.

Analyse Your Usage

Everything depends on your usage. The way you use the annexe, the length of your road trips, types of places your visit, and the frequency of your trips need to be considered before you purchase the annexe. The annexe is an additional structure for your caravan that ensures personal space and some comforts of your home. It should be selected based on your specific preferences and not because of the features advertised by the manufacturers.

Powered or Manual

This factor is purely based on the level of convenience that you would like to enjoy while setting up the annexe. Manual options would require you to put up the structure and set it up by hand. The powered options could include an extended awning with attachable walls which would convert it into an annexe. Powered options are great for elderly folk who may not be able to assemble / disassemble the annexe all the time.

Consult with Experts / Manufacturers

Whenever you have doubts or have confusions regarding buying caravan annexes, make sure that you consult with experts or reach out to manufacturers with your queries. Not only do that have the best solutions for caravan annexes, they may also suggest custom packages if you have very specific needs. In the meanwhile, you may check out some really nice caravan annexes for sale.

You just cannot pick a caravan park randomly and visit it on your caravan holiday. Everything needs to be just right and in line with your preferences so that you have a comfortable stay at the park. Choosing the right caravan park means the difference between a good holiday and a great one. I am sure that you wouldn’t want to end up being frustrated due to lack of certain amenities or the services lacking compatibility with your preferences.

Here are a few tips that should help you to select the best caravan parks for you.

Tip #1: Analyse the Park’s Location and Connection to Amenities

You need to find out everything about a caravan park’s location before you select it. It is upon you to decide how close you would like to be to the town / city when taking up accommodation in a caravan park. Moreover, you need to check the availability of public transport also. Parks that are situated near beaches or in the centre of the town tend to be convenient but relatively more expensive.

Tip #2: Check the Park’s Ratings and Reviews

Probably the best way to judge a caravan park is on the basis of the ratings provided to it and the reviews shared by people on trustworthy platforms like TripAdvisor. While caravan parks will often have star ratings, most are self-rated and can only be used as a rough measure of the park’s standard.

The higher the rating, the more expensive the park would be. This is the general implied concept that is applied to the rating system here. It would be best to rely on ratings provided by trusted authorities instead of considering the self-rated figures shown by most caravan parks.

While reading reviews, don’t just stop at one or two reviews. Read a couple of them and then arrive at a conclusion. It is possible that a particular caravanner may have had a bad experience at a park which may be nothing but an unfortunate occurrence. This does not mean that the park has bad service quality. Avoid arriving at any conclusion based on 1-2 reviews.

Tip #3: Inquire about the Site’s Location

Don’t just show up at a caravan park and expect everything to go as per your wish. It is a good idea to inquire about the site’s location and features at the time of booking it. If the site is too small or located too close to the bathrooms, then you could end up facing a lot of problems. Ask about the site’s location, its size, flooring of the site, amenities, etc. Such information could prove to be useful while booking as you may get the option of choosing a site that suits your needs perfectly.

Tip #4: Keep an Eye for Child Friendly Facilities When Travelling with Children

What’s a holiday without kids? These little angels just breathe life into any situation and make it a memorable occasion. However, if you leave kids in an area that does not have “child-friendly” facilities, then you can expect to have a pretty rough time. Those who travel with children will obviously be on the lookout for features like swimming pool, children’s playground, etc. If you are travelling without kids, then you might prefer a quieter spot with a laid back and relaxed ambiance.

Tip #5: Find Out If the Park is “Pet Friendly”

Were you thinking of leaving your pets behind? They deserve a vacation just as much as you do! But before you take your pets along with you on a caravan holiday, find out whether your selected caravan park is pet-friendly. Even if it is open to pets, there are certain regulations that need to be followed. These are not standardized and may differ from park to park. It would be a good idea to ask ahead to avoid running into problems later.

Tip #6: Stick to Your Budget

This is the most important aspect of the caravan park selection process. You may find a range of parks with varied costs. Site fees can range from $10 per night for a basic park in a non-tourist area to $40-60 plus per night during peak season in a quality park near a popular beach.If you arrive at a caravan park during holidays, then be prepared to shell out a few extra bucks.

However, if you come during non-peak periods, then you may be welcomed with attractive offers and discounts. Travelling during the holidays might also require you to make minimum booking as it may be part of the park’s policy during peak periods. Just find out everything and make sure that you stick to your budget in order to avoid bearing the brunt of increased expenses.

I am sure that you will agree that winter is indeed the best season to go caravanning. The camping grounds are less populated and traffic isn’t usually as thick as you would expect in summers. Probably the best aspect of caravanning in winter is that the caravan parks charge less fees than they would during the peak season. I love to go out on road trips and camping adventures during winter, but it does require some precautions and certain measures to avoid running into trouble.

Check out the following tips and follow them if you wish to have a comfortable and hassle free experience while caravanning in winter.

Keep Yourself Warm

Keeping yourself warm is an absolute necessity during winters unless you want to spoil your experience. It’s quite easy to stay warm. Get a good jacket, some gloves, a warm sleeping bag, thermal underwear, and a scarf for protecting yourself from the cold. If you plan to stay in the caravan then you would need to ensure that a warm ambiance is maintained inside the caravan. A good way to do this is to leave the heating on a very low level when you are not in the caravan. When you return, all you need to do is to increase the heating slightly and you would get the warmth that you need without putting a lot of stress on the heating system.

Use a Self-Inflating / Foam Mattress

It would be a good idea to avoid air mattresses. A self-inflating mattress or a foam mattress would be a better choice in terms of getting the desired warmth. Both of these mattresses help to prevent the heat from escaping into the ground. This is what happens when you use an air mattress. The warmth dissipates into the ground and you would feel like the cold is being sucked away from right beneath you. I am sure you wouldn’t want that to happen.

Cover the Piping / Containers with Insulators to Prevent Freezing

Freezing of water in containers and the piping is a common occurrence. The thing that complicates the problems is ignorance of the outcomes. Wrapping the container in insulating material can help prevent the contents of the carrier from freezing. You can use common items such as bubble wrap, old duvets or quilted coats to cover the carriers as they offer adequate insulation.

Change Your Gas Supply

This is something that gets overlooked while planning a caravan trip during the winter season. Not only would you be required to change the gas system, but you would have to switch from butane to propane cylinders. Propane is capable of operating at a higher pressure than butane and works even in temperatures like -40 degrees Centigrade. You would be required to change the regulator as well because a single regulator may not be compatible with both cylinders. It would be a good idea to consult with your local gas supplier and make sure that you abide by all the safety regulations to prevent any fatal outcomes later.

Store Your Caravan Carefully

Just because the vehicle is parked away or kept in storage, it doesn’t make the vehicle immune to the cold. The chances for the development of issues are similar to when the vehicle is being used. Before storing the caravan, make sure that you drain down all the water systems, including commonly overlooked things like toilet flush reservoir water heater and toilet cassette.

Keep the taps in the central open position as this will help in releasing any vent up pressure which is caused by frequent expansion / contraction of water due to temperature differences. Make sure that water is removed completely from the system and proper insulation is provided for the same.

Conduct Routine Checks

It is difficult to predict and estimate all the problems that could occur in the caravan during winter. The best way to keep things under control would be to conduct routine checks and maintenance for the caravan. While inspecting the vehicle, it would be a good idea to check the caravan awning and other accessories for signs of damage. If these things are not repaired in time, then it could turn out to be an expensive affair. Plus, your mood would also be spoiled.

I hope that these tips helped you to have a trouble-free winter caravanning experience. Do share your views and opinions in the comments section below. If you have tips other than the ones mentioned above, then feel free to pen them down as it could help others to overcome similar problems. Happy caravanning!

It is important to keep your caravan’s awnings clean. A clean awning will not only deliver prolonged usage but it will also provide a healthy environment. I am sure you would not like to travel around with an awning that is infested with germs and is covered with grime. Usually, cleaning a caravan awning may involve time and efforts, especially for removing the awning fabric. Have you ever thought about getting the job done in just one step?

When I say about cleaning the caravan awning in just a single step, I mean cleaning both sides of the fabric in one swift move. How is this possible? First you need to create a cleaning solution. For this, you need to mix 2 parts of bleach to 8-10 parts of water. Put this solution in a spray bottle and test it by spray once or twice. Before you start the cleaning process, just extend the awning out completely as this would expose the maximum area of the awning’s fabric.

The one step cleaning requires you to cover both the sides of the fabric with an even coating of the cleaning mixture. Once done, just retract the awning and let it sit for a while. After an hour or so, just pull out the awning and you will notice that it’s clean. Just rinse it off with some water and let it dry. Now wasn’t that easy? If you caravan awning is excessively dirty, then you might want to give it a light scrub with a brush. However, if you repeat this one step cleaning process periodically, then you need not worry about the awning getting very dirty.

I hope this was a helpful tip for all caravanners out there. If you have some suggestions or other fast methods for cleaning caravan awnings, share them in the comments thread below. Happy caravanning!

Caravan awnings and annexes offer personal space and homely comfort during road trips. These are priceless luxuries that are rarely fulfilled by other means. Having you own personal space to relax is something to die for. There are not a lot of convenient facilities that you may come across on your road trip, especially if you are travelling on rough paths with wilderness around you. Rollout caravan awnings are probably the easiest ones to setup, being second only to powered awnings. But the easy operation can only be achieved if the entire rollout awning is fitted properly on the caravan.

It is important to select the right rollout caravan awning which not only suits your specific requirements, but is also compatible with your caravan. In this discussion we will cover the basics of choosing the correct awning, and ways to modify your caravan to accept one of these popular units.

Caravan Assessment

Possible rollout caravan awning obstructions (Source: Caravan Plus)

The awning that you intend to buy should be perfectly compatible with your caravan. The first step in deciding which awning to fit up is to access the possible obstructions. Common obstructions include clearance lights, annexe lights, roof curves, door and access hatches, and windows. The ideal installation conditions for the rollout caravan awning would be to cover the maximum possible area.

Optimum rollout awning position (Source: Caravan Plus)

The above diagram indicates the most optimum position for placing and installing the rollout caravan awning. As is evident in the diagram itself, the legs are positioned vertically without any obstruction whilst the bottom brackets are bolted firmly into the sill panel of the caravan. The top brackets are close to the top section which allows the awning roll to avoid obstructions.

Determining the Awning Size

Where to measure and where not to measure (Source: Caravan Plus)

Before even attempting to determine the awning size required for your caravan, you need to understand the implications of the size mentioned by the awning manufacturers. Rollout awnings are all measured in feet. An awning might be 11' 10 1/2", but still considered to be 12' in length. As depicted in the image above, it is better to take measurements between the arms instead of measuring the length of the awning roll. This could lead to wrong values being recorded for the measurements.

When measuring the awning length, always make sure that you measure from the centre of one awning arm to the centre of the other awning arm. If you measure the fabric, then you will end up 1’ short of the actual requirement measurement. Errors like this could cause serious issues with the clearance of the rollout awning.

Additional Components / Accessories

The rollout awning is not solely composed of the awning fabric and the basic support system. There are accessories such as rope tracks which are needed for securing the rope that is sewn into the header of the fabric to the caravan. The rope tracks are installed on the caravan with the help of flanges. If it is installed on the side, then a double flange is required. A single flange is required for installing the track on the top corner.

Getting the Best Rollout Caravan Awning

You should have gained some understanding on the things that need to be evaluated before choosing a rollout awning for your caravan. You can always follow the instructions and install the awning yourself. But if you are not too confident about it, then it is best left to the professionals who will get it done faster and in a better manner than you.

The last thing that you should take care of is the quality of the materials. There is no sense in going for inferior quality materials because awnings, especially rollout awnings, are meant to last for at least a year if subjected to extreme rough conditions. Since these are considerable investments, you should always try to get the best rollout caravan awning for yourself.