Hints for travelling with a caravan

Hints for travelling with a caravan

Helpful hints for caravanners, mainly borrowed from the Caravan Parks Association of Queensland Inc. This organisation produce a free annual guide to caravan parks in Queensland For further details P.O. Box 5542, Stafford Heights 4053. Tel. (07) 3357 4399 Fax (07) 3357 4422 Email: caravanrvq@eis.net.au
The annual guide includes camping, accomodation and cabin information, caravan show dates, quick refs by town and by parks and heaps of maps, tips and attractions.

Introduction

Ensure you have a suitable jack for lifting your caravan (turn all gas off before jacking)
Paint hammer handle and annex pegs white. They are easier to see in long grass or at night.
Keep a spanner handy to disconnect the battery in case of a short circuit.
Make sure everyone travelling with you knows how to unclip and operate the fire extinguisher.
When leaving any camp site, check after moving that nothing has been left behind,
Keep a bottle of antiseptic with your laundry detergent. Clean the inside of washing machine and tubs before and after use.
It is wise to know the height of your caravan, as some bridges in the country are low. Write the height of your highest point on the back of your sun visor as a reminder
Metal against metal cause black friction marks. To avoid this pack saucepans, etc. separately in old pillowcases or plastic bags.
Use plastic ice cream containers to pack loose items in. Containers can be used to bathe a wound or if children are car sick.
Whenever you stop along the road for a tea break, both driver and passenger should have a walk around your van or car. Mainly an inspection tour, but the exercise will do you good.
Try to limit the quantity of souvenirs you collect, as these will add to the weight of your caravan for the home trip.
Take photo albums with you and insert place names, dates and captions as you go. It is so easy to forget by the time you get home.
When buying a car or caravan first know the capacity of the towing vehicle. Check with local distributor.
If you have your choice of where to park overnight, try to keep fridge vents away from the hot sun.
Keep a watch on the following traffic and be courteous to other road users. If you have a CB radio, tune to the truckies' channel and talk to them, and help them to pass. You'll get a thanks mate and you feel good.
If you are travelling with friends in another van, keep at least 200 metres apart so that faster traffic can pass safely.
Keep all CB talk to a minimum.
Keep a note of all interesting events, mentioned in the media, to assist in your future trips.
Before you leave home on any trip, check water pump, fridge and lights.
Brakes, bearings and tyres should be thoroughly checked at least once a year.
When travelling in hot weather, prepare lunch at breakfast time, then you need only open the fridge once in the heat of the day.
A 35mm film container is just the right size for $1, 20 and 10 cent coins. Keep these in the car for parking meters and phone calls.
Be sure you fit rear vision mirrors which allow you to see down the side of your van.
Your first aid kit should be well stocked for all seasons. In some areas it is a long distance between chemist shops.
Do not mark your toilet bag etc. with your home address. Instead put your name, car and van registration.
It is great for your hair to shampoo in the water from a running stream. Please take the water in a dish and throw all soapy water on the land. Fish, platypus and all their friends will thank you.
Carry a tyre gauge and check pressure before a trip when tyres are cold.
If a gas bottle catches fire, do not try to extinguish. Hose the bottle to keep it cool, until it burns itself out.
Always turn gas off at the bottle before entering a service station.
When going on a day tour, by boat, rail etc. leave your car locked with your van and use tourist pick up bus or local transport for safety reasons.
Sleeping bags are becoming very popular. Their synthetic fibres allow easy washing and quick drying. Turn the sleeping bags in-side out each morning to air.
Don't take much in the sewing basket. One reel of clear poly cotton will mend all coloured garments.
If you are visiting a point of interest in your travels and the weather is not good, buy post cards of the area - you may never visit here again.
Avoid Caravan Convoy's and have a safe tripQueensland
Caravan travelling in groups should leave at least 60 metres between each van when driving on single lane roads outside built- up areas.
(That's the message from Queensland Transport, which says' caravan convoys' can be road hazards for caravanners and other motorists).
Caravanning is a popular activity and provides the opportunity to travel long distances throughout Queensland with friends. Travelling with other van owners can add to the enjoyment to your trip, but a string of caravans travelling close together can be a road safety hazard.
Motorists and truck drivers, particularly in central and western Queensland, can become frustrated if they get caught behind two, three or even six caravans travelling close together. In their frustration, they could be tempted to take dangerous risks to pass the caravan 'convoy'.
To avoid this problem, motorists towing caravans are required by law to leave at least 60 metres between their vehicle and the caravan in front when travelling on single laned roads outside built up areas.
If you find yourself getting too close to the van in front, ease off the accelerator to create a 60 metre gap, or pull over and take a break. Arrange to meet fellow travellers at your next destination before setting out, so there are no problems if you become separated on the road.
The 60 metre spacing law applies to all vehicle combinations more than 8 metres long, including caravans, boat trailers and larger transport combinations.
Take regular breaks (every 2 hours) to stretch, relax, refocus your concentration.
Coffee is the only stimulant that should be taken to assist drivers but it does not compensate for rests and using a second driver on long trips.

Reset Nov 2001