Expert advice on gadgets, levelling, battery care and towing
Technical advice
Top caravan tips: gadgets, levelling and safety
I’m new to caravanning. What’s one piece of advice you’d give a beginner?
Start with short trips close to home. When you’re new to caravanning, everything from hitching up to setting up on a site can initially feel overwhelming.
Taking a short trip not far from home gives you the chance to get used to how everything works without the pressure of a long drive or being far from home.
It’s a great way to test your setup, figure out what essentials you might have forgotten, and build confidence towing and manoeuvring the caravan.
You’ll feel much more prepared for longer adventures once you’ve had a couple of successful short trips.
Are there any must-have gadgets you’d recommend for a caravan?
Personally, my favourite gadgets are:
- This is a great piece of kit that allows me to save money on caravan holidays. On an off-grid CL site in Padstow, I underlined this as it cost just £7.50 per night!
- A motor mover is a get-out-of-jail-free card for when there’s not enough room or things just aren’t going right.
- These devices monitor tyre pressures on the caravan and keep you abreast of any pressure or temperature fluctuations.
- I’m relatively new to lithium (about 18 months), but it’s been amazing so far. Pricey, but they work so well.
How do I level my caravan properly once I’m on a site? Some of the CL sites we’ve stayed at recently have been undulating.
Start by levelling side-to-side (across the axle) using levelling ramps under the wheels—check with a spirit level across the floor, cabinets, etc.
The caravan can be pulled up a levelling ramp with your car, or a motor mover makes light work of this if you have one fitted.
Once level side-to-side, apply the handbrake and chock the wheels.
Then adjust front-to-back with the jockey wheel until your spirit level reads even lengthways. Lower the corner steadies, and you’re good to go.
What should I do if the leisure battery keeps going flat? This seems to happen when in storage and on holiday.
Here are three easy steps to check your battery:
Is the battery OK? If it’s old or of limited capacity, the fault may lie with the battery itself.
Is there a permanent drain on the battery? This is easy to check with a multimeter. Disconnect the mains EHU and/or solar if necessary. Remove the negative battery terminal and place the multimeter between the negative terminal of the battery and the negative lead that’s just been removed. If it shows current, isolate the circuit by removing fuses individually or turning off each RCD. When the current drops, you’ve found the circuit.
If there’s no permanent draw, is it charging correctly— via mains hookup, solar, or the car when towing?
We’re looking to buy a caravan and some of the caravans that we have looks at have motor moves. Do I really need a motor mover, or is it just a luxury?
While technically not essential, a motor mover can be a game-changer, especially if you sometimes pitch solo, have a larger caravan, or need to manoeuvre into tight spaces at home or on a site.
It turns a two-person job into a one-finger operation and can prevent damage that may result from awkward reversing.
I think of a motor mover as a get-out-of-jail-free card for when things don’t quite go to plan. I think they’re great.
How do I keep my caravan fresh and well- ventilated during storage? Every time we return to the caravan, regardless of the time of year, it smells musty.
The key is air circulation.
Leave internal cupboard and wardrobe doors slightly ajar and pull seat cushions an inch or so from the wall. Moisture absorbers or dehumidifier crystals can help prevent damp, especially in colder months.
Your fridge may have a latch to keep it ajar, which helps stop mould, or a tea towel can be used to prop open the door. If possible, regularly checking and airing your caravan during long-term storage will also help.
What are your tips for safely towing a caravan on motorways? I’m especially nervous about towing on major, multi-lane roads, and a few wise words may settle my nerves.
First, always load your caravan correctly and check that the nose weight is between 5% and 7% of the caravan’s MTPLM (use a nose weight gauge such as the one pictured).
This will help stability. The speed limit is 60mph (unless otherwise indicated), and this should be a comfortable towing speed for a correctly balanced outfit.
Don’t forget – you can’t use the outside lane on a motorway with three or more lanes. Ensure your extension mirrors are correctly adjusted.
Give larger vehicles plenty of room where possible. Above all, relax and enjoy it, as motorways are a great way of reaching your destination.
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