A Beginner’s Guide to Camping in a New Caravan

If you are a camping enthusiast, a caravan would be your most prized possession. Buying a new caravan need a lot of research and keenness. You can’t just decide to buy a new caravan today and sign a cheque tomorrow for its purchase. If you do so, you are bound to regret later on when you get to know about the options you could have got but did not because of your haste.

First, decide whether you need a new caravan or a second-hand one. There are several pros and cons of getting a new caravan.

→ Pros:

• You have the ability to decide the exact caravan layout, trim and options.
• You get caravan manufacturer warranties and quick services.
• There is also an on-going caravan dealer support included with the purchase of a new caravan.
• The new caravan is equipped with the latest technology and is more luxurious compared to second-hand ones.
• There is a warranty against any manufacturing defects and so you don’t have any hidden re-modelling costs after the purchase.

→ Cons

• There is a steep initial depreciation in the reselling price of a new caravan.
• A used caravan with the right layout may be more comfortable as the initial gremlins would have already been have been sorted by the previous owners.
• Trading in a new caravan with an improper layout can prove costly.

There are 7 types of caravans to choose from:

1. Regular Caravan
2. Pop-out Caravan
3. Tent Trailer
4. Camper Trailer
5. Pop-up Caravan
6. Fifth-Wheelers
7. Motorhome

Now that you have already decided upon your new caravan, you need to keep in mind a few points while setting out on a camping trip:

• Pack only the absolute essentials: Don’t go overboard with packing. Especially new caravan buyers who are going camping for the first time, may overestimate the storing capacity of the caravan and then may end up leaving no room for themselves in it. Make sure this doesn’t happen. Also, make sure you do not over stuff the caravan and end up increasing its load weight.

• Make a checklist of things to carry and double check it: The worst thing is that you are ready to camp at a campsite at night and you realize you forgot to pack the gas stove or some other such item. Double check while packing and get your checklist reviewed by people who have gone camping before. Many companies providing new caravans have such checklists as well. You can refer those.

• Stock up on packed food items: Energy bars, peanut butter, beef jerky, canned beans and soup, trail mix, drink powders,coffee and tea, etc. are all great camping food options. You can store your caravan with food items that are rich in energy and would not spoil and need no cooking whatsoever. So, you would not need to park over and cook every time you are hungry while on the road.

• Keep the gadgets handy: Gadgets here do not mean your Laptop and TV set. Basic necessity gadgets like flashlights, a portable phone charger, a multi-tool, extra batteries, a power bank, an extra can of fuel etc. make camping much easier as well as you have backup in case of emergencies.

• Keep the first-aid kit fully stocked: One should keep the first-aid kit fully equipped and stocked. Creams for blisters,after bite creams, sunscreens, insect repellents, personal medications, medications for common cold, stomach upsets, and common fever.

• Keep your camping sites clean: It is your moral duty to leave the camping site just like it was when you arrived there. Dispose all the trash neatly and make sure you don not leave any personal belongings behind.

With all these things in mind, you are all set to go camping. But, it would be preferable if, before setting out on a long camping vacation, you go for a small camping trip to get accustomed to your new caravan.