Most caravan thieves look for the easy targets. Unlocked doors, unsecured wheels and similar occasions provide them with the opportunity for a quick steal. So, prevention goes a long way. Whether you’re touring the country or staying home, here are a few steps you should take to secure your caravan:

Use Wheel clamps – Invest in a good wheel-clamp. It’s likely that you’ll need to buy one in order to have insurance. Plus, they can make stealing your van practically impossible. But, when you purchase your wheel-clamp, make certain that it’s a model that is “Sold Secure” approved. Many insurance companies consider them one of the most dependable wheelclamps on the market.

Lock Up – This is common sense. However, you’d be surprised by the number of caravan owners who either forget to lock up their van or simply neglect to do so out of laziness. An unlocked caravan is an easy target for thieves. If you’re going to leave your van unoccupied for any length of time, close the windows and lock the doors.

Buy An Alarm – Locking your doors and closing your windows is a start. But, for some added security, invest in a good alarm system. If your caravan moves unexpectedly or a thief enters, the alarm will trigger. Some systems even come with satellite tracking so you can find your van in the event it’s stolen. But, again, theft prevention is the key.

Know Your Neighbours – Some caravan sites can only offer a low level of security. When you’re pitching in such sites, get to know your neighbours. Watch out for their van and possessions and ask them to watch for yours. That way, if anyone suspicious is near your caravan, your neighbour can prevent a potential theft.

Prevention Is Paramount

The key to preventing your caravan from being stolen is making it a hard target for potential thieves. Simple things like putting a wheel-clamp on the side of your van that faces a site’s entry can be enough to thwart would-be criminals. Also, lock up if you’re going to leave your van unattended for awhile, buy an alarm system and introduce yourself to other caravan owners. You’ll find these actions are likely to prevent your van (or your possessions) from being taken from you.

Whether you are looking for a base to pursue a favourite sport or hobby, or have the desire for a grand tour of Europe, a motorhome will offer you comfort and convenience. You can travel at your own pace, with the knowledge that you can relax when you arrive at your chosen destination.

Sureterm Direct is the UKs leading specialist motorhome and RV insurers, having insured thousands of motorhomes in its 10 years of trading, so it has issued a list of useful Motorhome Tips for choosing a Motorhome.

Top tips for making that Motorhome choice

Size isnt everything – dont assume that the largest or most generously equipped model is the best. Think about the smallest living space that would have all the facilities you need. Often smaller models will be more versatile.

Home or away- Are you considering touring abroad as well as in the UK? Will you be using your motorhome for short breaks or long holidays, in the summer or all year round? (People even take motorhomes on ski-ing holidays). Does it have the space for everything you need?

Versatility- Which motorhome will give you maximum use? Will you use it as an everyday vehicle as well as for leisure? A compact high top conversion or elevating roof model might be just the ticket. Or are you planning a year-long Continental tour? Coachbuilts have lots of room and can be ideal for changing climates.

All mod cons- If you plan to only stay on sites with full facilities, you may not need all the on-board equipment options. If you plan to explore off the beaten track, you will need more. Todays vehicles often come with satnav, satellite TV, DVD, cab air-con, MP3 connectors etc, etc…

Parking restrictions- Make sure that there is enough access and room for your chosen vehicle on your driveway. Alternatively, there may be secure storage facilities nearby.

Join a club- To have access to a wider range of parks and travel discounts, as well as technical advice and feeling part of a community, consider joining one of the many motorhome clubs.

Driving courses- If you have never experienced driving a larger vehicle or you would just like some expert tips on loading, parking and taking a motorhome abroad, contact The Caravan Club or The Camping and Caravanning Club both of which run courses.

Try before you buy- If you are not sure that the motorhome lifestyle is for you, or the size and layout suits you, why not hire a vehicle for a holiday? There are plenty of companies offering this service, simply check the specialist monthly magazines or www.motorhomelifestyle.co.uk.

Get an insurance quote try calling a specialist insurance company like Sureterm Direct before you buy a motorhome to get an idea on the cost of insurance. Specialist motorhome insurers will often offer many benefits and preferential insurance rates to motorhome owners.

A motorhome will be your key to a new leisure lifestyle. Whether its chasing the surf in a campervan or living it up in a luxury apartment on wheels, it will let you see places you have never seen before and experience things that you have always wanted to

Remove all food from the fridge and cupboards and leave doors slightly ajar to prevent musty odours. Spray WD40 on any piano hinges.

Securely close all windows and roof lights and use a maintenance spray to avoid sticking seals. Check fixed vents are not obstructed and consider using a dehumidifier to prevent damp occurring. Close all blinds and curtains for security.

Fit the chimney cowl with a cowl cover to prevent ingress of rain, sleet or snow.

Caravan Insurance

Storing your caravan for the winter doesnt mean that you wont need caravan insurance. Club Care Insurance provides excellent deals on Caravan Insurance, Motor Home Insurance and Camping Insurance.

Their website is easy really easy to use and their staff are incredibly friendly.

Be sure to check them out here Club Care

Wheels & Chassis

Jack up the caravan using bottle or screw jacks to just remove the wheels from the ground (do not use the corner steadies). Support the axle using stands so the wheels are just off the ground. If preferred, the wheels can be removed and the vehicle supported using stands that bolt directly on to the wheel hubs, such as Winterwheels. They can also be fitted with an immobilising plate to minimise theft.

Lower the corner steadies to just touch the ground but not take any weight. For added security, consider locking the steadies.

If the wheels are left on, correctly inflate the tyres, chock the wheels and cover the tyres to prevent degradation. Rotate periodically to lubricate the wheel bearings and consider fitting wheel clamps for security.

Release the handbrake; check the hitch is fully extended to ensure there is no load on the braking system, grease the coupling and cover for protection. Consider a hitch lock to prevent theft

If the site is in an area exposed to high winds, consider anchoring the chassis securely to the ground.

Water Systems

To prevent frozen water damage over the winter months, the whole system must be drained down following the manufacturers recommendations. Drain all water carriers completely and leave the plugs off to avoid unwanted smells

Carver Cascade System

1/. Warm the heater to assist in draining

2/. Unscrew the drain plug located on the outside of the flue cowl and leave removed.

3/. If fitted, activate cold water drain plug which is normally found under the caravan near to the water inlet socket.

4/. Open all hot and cold water taps to allow water to drain to outside. Leave control on dual taps in central position and leave open. Should the vehicle require towing after draining, by leaving all taps and drain valves open, the vehicle movement will assist in removing all water from the system.

5/. Remove tap spouts and shower heads by unscrewing and shake dry

6/. Remove submersible pump and water filters (if fitted) and shake dry. Should non return valves be fitted anywhere in the system, pipe work must be disconnected at those valves to ensure complete drainage.

Truma Ultrastore System

1/. Isolate the water pump from the power supply.

2/. When water is cool, open the safety/drain valve and leave open.

3/. Open all hot and cold water taps to allow water to drain to outside. Leave control on dual taps in central position and leave open. Should the vehicle require towing after draining, by leaving all taps and drain valves open, the vehicle movement will assist in removing all water from the system.

4/. If a submersible pump or a water filter is fitted, ensure that they are fully drained. Should non return valves be fitted anywhere in the system, pipe work must be disconnected at the valves to ensure complete drainage.

Should the caravan be stored for a long period, the caravan should be fully serviced before use.

Cassette Toilettes

Add some lubricant to toilet slide and leave open to prevent it sticking. Empty and rinse out the toilet and drain the fresh water flush part of the toilet system. The top tank should be drained via the drain point which is normally inside the external door

Electrical

Disconnect the battery and put it in a garage or shed where it can be recharged every couple of months. Alternatively, invest in a smart charger which will monitor the state of the battery and top up as necessary. Spray WD40 on all of the electrical connections.

Gas

Remove all gas cylinders if practical and store in an adequately ventilated location. If left in situ, ensure that all cylinders are fully turned off and the gas compartment is locked. Butane gas starts to freeze at temperatures below 4 degrees Celsius whereas Propane does not.

Awnings

Ensure awnings are clean and dry before storage otherwise they will suffer from mildew or possibly rot.

Caravan Protection

For added protection there is the choice of applying a liquid protection or purchasing a tailor-made cover.

With a liquid protection such as Fenwicks Overwintering Fluid, the van is washed thoroughly and the liquid applied and left to dry. This will then protect against algae, mould, fungus, airborne pollutants, acid rain and bird lime. It will not crack in frosty conditions, wash off with rain or snow, or melt in warm sunshine. Once the vehicle is brought out of storage the liquid is simply washed off with the appropriate cleaner.

If the choice is a cover, it is imperative that it is constructed in a soft breathable fabric and is purposely made for the job. It is specifically designed to protect the paintwork and windows and its breathable properties will prevent damp occurring within the vehicle.

Hopefully the tips and caravan accessories mentioned in this article will assist you in protecting your caravan over the winter months and you will return to find it in tip top condition on the return of spring.

This article was prepared for you by John Morrish of East Coast Leisure, Basildon, Essex, UK.
For motor home hire, caravan & motor home sales, servicing & repairs; caravan accessories & motor home accessories both online and onsite – you can find us at www.east-coast-leisure.co.uk

“Touring’s such a pleasure when you trust in East Coast Leisure”
Caravan, Motor home insurance and caravan insurance Give us a call for a cheap caravan insurance quote. touring caravan insurance and camping insurance for the UK with Club Care Insurance

Having the right type of caravan insurance is essential. You may require two key types. One type of insurance is Touring Caravan or Trailer insurance. This type of insurance is the most commonly used as it is used for all types of caravans that are mobile or moved. The second is for onsite caravan protection. On site caravan insurance is designed for those caravans that do not move and are permanently at your site.

Coverage Under Caravan Insurance:

In Touring Caravan or Trailer Insurance, the premiums you pay will be based on a moving vehicle. This type of insurance is right for folding trailers, campers, demountable camper units, and slide on campers as well as horse floats. This type of insurance provides for coverage based on the agreed value of the caravan. It usually provides protection of all types when you are on the road or off, but is limited to use within Australia. Your basic policy will include a small amount of cover for the contents of your caravan, but you may want to consider adding additional value onto the policy here to cover your contents based on what you have in it. Most policies also provide you with temporary accommodations when you cannot stay in your caravan.

With on location caravan coverage, instead of motor vehicle insurance, you possess more of a home kind of insurance protection. This kind of protection gives many similar advantages, though. For example, the caravan insurance will be based on an agreed value that is fixed upfront. A majority will give you standard caravan content insurance however this could be a minimal number especially for static locations.

Questions for Your Provider:

When getting caravan insurance, it is essential to consider the costs of the plan but also the amount of covered provided to you. Not all things are inclusive in many of these policies. Be clear with your insurance provider on what is included and what is not.

* What is covered under the comprehensive motor coverage? Areas like accidental damage, fire, flood, keys, liability, storms, theft, vandalism and glass damage are usually included.

* What is not covered? In most situations, the cost of hiring a motor vehicle will not be covered, accidents outside of Australia will not be covered, and accidents that happen because of road cuts, punctures, bursts or braking will not be covered. Most policies provide do not cover mechanical failures either.

* How do you file a claim?

* What method is used to calculate the value of the caravan to determine the amount of cover needed?

Get a good overview of what is available from the company and choose the best policy for you from there.

Ways to Save on Caravan Insurance:

The best way to save on caravan insurance is to shop around and get quotes from several insurance companies to compare. This process only takes a few extra minutes, but will provide you with a clear picture on the real needs you have and the costs out there.

Most insurance providers offer discounts for no claims for an extended amount of time. Also, premiums are often reduced for those who are over the age of 55, which can help you to get a much lower payment.

Beware Before Signing:

With all insurance policies, know what the policy covers and what it does not. Spend some time talking to several insurance companies to find the best rates available.

Additional Coverage to Consider:

With caravan insurance, there are various types of protection available to you to add to the policy. One of the most important areas to consider is not just getting additional types of cover but getting more of it. Contents are generally covered by the basic policy at about $1,000, but this may not be high enough. Also, think over what types of events are covered by your contents insurance.

In addition to this, you may want to consider Hire Car Cover, which will provide you with protection to pay hire car costs. This policy is generally an add-on to the original and basic policy.

Windscreen Option is an additional option which can be added on to your caravan insurance. If you have a windscreen or window glass incident, and that is the only area that has been damaged, the insurance policy will provide you with replacement costs or repairing costs.

What makes a good tow car and which is best petrol or diesel? These are questions that we are often asked. Besides making sure you have the right weight ratio between car and trailer and the correct gear ratios, there are other factors that should be taken into consideration. Brake horsepower (BHP) is the amount of power produced by the engine. Torque provides the pulling power. Different engines produce variable amounts of BHP and torque dependent upon speed and the type of fuel used. For towing you need a large amount of power and maximum torque early and over a wide range of the engines variable speed. Petrol and diesels give similar amounts of power and torque but at different times during the engines revolution band.
Petrol engines
■ Tend to produce more BHP than diesels.
■ Acceleration from a standing start is quicker.
■ Cleaner than older diesels.
■ Petrol and diesel is around the same price in the UK but petrol is dearer on the continent.
■ Petrol engines are generally lighter.
Diesel engines
■ Can be more expensive to buy.
■ Can be noisier than petrol.
■ Produce maximum torque at lower engine speeds.
■ Give more miles to the gallon than petrol.
■ Emissions from older engines may be dirtier than their petrol equivalents.
■ Older vehicles may require more frequent servicing.
■ Retain torque over a wider engine revolution range.
Other fuels
With the drive towards lower exhaust emissions, increases in fuel prices and government environmental policies, there is a growing interest in other types of fuels being used as alternatives or additions to petrol and diesel.
Gas engines
Gas engines have been around for a long time. Australia, Holland, Italy, Japan and North America have many thousands of cars powered by gas. Only recently are they becoming more popular in this country.
Gas is cheaper than both petrol and diesel, produces a lower power output but has a cleaner exhaust. A major drawback is that a gas tank is bulkier and heavier than a petrol or diesel tank and often uses boot space.
There are two main types of gas Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). There are not many CNG filling stations around but there are an increasing number available at petrol stations.
British Gas is hoping to introduce a domestic CNG vehicle filling system. Drivers will be able to fill up their tank overnight from their household gas supply. If you intend using gas as a fuel, always employ a recognised converter. Contact the LP Gas Association for your nearest one. Car manufacturers are already offering converted vehicles. Volvo has a CNG option, Ford has five alternative LPG vehicles and Vauxhall has a dual-fuelled range including Astras, Vectras, Omegas and the Zafira.
Future fuels
■ Biodiesels are derived from oil-rich crops such as rapeseed, sunflower, palm, olive and Soya beans. These can be used with little or no modification to a normal diesel engine. Cost of production is the main barrier.
■ Dimethyl ether is derived from natural gas or methane and can be used in diesel engines. It is used mainly in the Scandinavian countries due to its lower emissions.
■ Batteries offer an environmental friendly alternative power source but have restricted output. At present batteries are impractical for travelling large distances and require a number connected together with the consequential weight disadvantage.
■ Hybrid vehicles, which combine petrol or diesel engines with an electric motor, are under development. They will play a vital role in cutting emissions.
■ Cars are being developed that utilise fuel cells that combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity.
These type of engines will not be available for several years and will need a new fuelling network.

These tips were brought to you by Club Care Caravan Insurance

What suits me, though, is not necessarily going to be your first choice, nor are your preferences likely to match those of your close friends or relatives. Result is, all segments of the camping and RV markets are doing quite nicely.

Of course, at the budget end of the accommodation spectrum, tents are always high on the short-list of options, particularly for lovers of true outdoor freedom. On the other hand there are those who simply must have a few creature comforts, while still maintaining some degree of independence. This latter group is likely to opt for either a fully appointed caravan/travel trailer, or motorhome.

For the rest of us, somewhere along that cost/comfort scale our ideal niche is there to be found. Keep in mind, however, ideal is really a sneaky way of saying acceptable compromise. After all, no matter what your choice — tent, tent trailer, camper trailer, caravan, campervan, or motorhome — compromise will be necessary between the key deciding factors of cost, comfort, self-sufficiency and mobility. The trap is, only you can balance that mix!

Nevertheless, to help you identify your personal niche, here are a few of the essential differences between the popular options among nomadic travellers today:

Tent

Camping under canvas has always attracted a strong (and growing) band of devotees. Tents are relatively inexpensive, available in a vast range of sizes and complexities, and allow the outdoor lover to retain complete freedom, flexibility and mobility.

With tenting, though, the biggest drawbacks are the time it takes to get your camp set up, and the relative vulnerability to weather extremes. Together with sleeping, cooking and other equipment, a lot of vehicle space is required, and frequent changes of location become quite a chore with daily set-ups and pack-ups.

Tent Trailer

Moving up the budgetary scale, tent trailers might be your next consideration. These are essentially a small trailer with a built-on, collapsible frame-tent. Generally, they are more robust than regular tents, far easier to erect, and your bed (and some floor area) is raised above the ground. With a raft of optional awnings and add-ons, a tent trailer can become a canvas castle!

Keep in mind, though, towing a trailer of any kind does impact, to some degree, on campsite accessability, although heavy-duty and off-road models minimise this effect (especially if towed by a 4×4).

Another advantage is the freeing up of most of your vehicle load space, although you should also anticipate a quantum jump up the financial scale. (But if you already own a sturdy box-trailer, it may be adaptable.)

Camper Trailer

Even a low-spec camper trailer represents a further — significant! — hike in potential outlay over tent trailers (though the huge second-hand market is worth exploring). Even so, you stand to gain a considerable boost in comfort levels, particularly for long-term camps or extended touring.

Certainly, camper trailers still require setting up in camp, but this is a fairly quick and painless operation. Towing, too, remains reasonably stress-free considering their low profile and lighter weight compared with full-size caravans. Even so, bush mobility and manoeuvrability does suffer over tent or tent trailer outfits. And dont forget those extra costs, such as insurance, registration, and increased fuel consumption.

Motorhome

For long-term or fulltime nomadic lifestyles, a full-size motorhome provides optimum comfort, convenience and all-round security. No towing is involved, while driving and parking is a breeze (except in very narrow streets and parking lots). Making camp, and moving off in the morning, is the easiest of all possible options.

Their main disadvantage is the high cost (in motorhome rather than campervan configuration), and the fact that every time you move — even to the store for milk or bread — you have to pack-up your home. And if repairs become necessary out on the road, you may be faced with motel costs.

Little brother of the motorhome, the campervan, has a similar set of pros and cons but is far less expensive to buy and operate, and considerably easier to get about in. For two people they represent an excellent all-round compromose for long-term touring, but get very tight around the shoulders for a fulltime lifestyle.

Caravan

For the best balance of all between space, comfort and security, its hard to beat a reasonable size caravan/travel trailer. For lengthy stays at a base camp, while getting out and about in your car or 4×4, they are ideal. There are sizes, makes and models to suit most family needs and all budgets. And the pre-loved market is endless.

Here again, though, mobility on backtracks can be greatly curtailed (even with some of the 4×4-rated rigs), and generally speaking, driving is more tiring, costly and slower. Visits to major towns, with tricky parking or tight turn-arounds, often become a real pain in the tailpipe.

So what do I recommend? Well, unfortunately theres no simple answer! For example, depending on our plans, our camping and travelling alternates between lightweight touring (sleeping in our 4×4), and towing our home — a 16 foot caravan. Every so often, we use a canvas tent for lengthier bush camps while visiting the high country.

To my mind, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. But if youre planning to embark on a fulltime traveling lifestyle, my advice would be to identify — and carefully examine — your personal needs and aspirations, then set yourself up to suit the destinations and activities of most interest.

Best part is, you have plenty of options.