Summer is finally here, and you feel it’s time to go on an adventure! We agree, and what better adventure than a trip to a caravan park in the Western Cape or any other province in South Africa. Whether you’re planning a solo trip, going with a significant other or family and friends, your first caravan holiday needs to be memorable. You need to experience the excitement and freedom that comes from buying a caravan and enjoy your time away from your normal schedule.
But for a first-time caravan owner, you might not know the ins and outs to purchase a caravan or how to apply for leisure finance. Well, you’ve come to the right place. This article will give you all your caravan essential tips that will help ensure you are all set for a memorable vacation.
Keep reading for your caravan checklist down below.
Do your research
Since this is your first leisure item, you need to do adequate research before you start planning your budget. Take time to search online, ask friends and colleagues about caravans and where you can find caravans for sale. This will help you get an idea of how much you need in order to purchase one of your own and to understand what to look out for.
As a part of your research, you need to know exactly what type of caravan you want. This will depend on the size you want and how many people will be joining your adventure. Are you a small family or do you want to plan road trips with a group of friends? Knowing this beforehand will allow you to understand the type of caravan you need as opposed to the one that you want.
Get pre-selected for financing
Once you know the type of caravan you’re interested in purchasing, you’ll need to seek leisure finance for a caravan. Many lenders have tailored finance products for specialised leisure items such as caravans, golf carts, bikes and jet skis.
These types of loans will help you get a tailored experience. Your leisure finance can cover both pre-owned and a brand new one, depending on your preference. If you’re on a budget, then it’s in your best interest to purchase a second-hand caravan. That will help you cut costs and save money.
While lenders do finance a second-hand caravan, you should keep in mind that the number of years will determine if you get pre-approved for financing. For example, lenders may feel that a caravan model over 20 years is too old and may not be worth financing. Before going to a lender, you need to find out how old the caravan is as that might affect your chances.
Lenders also have a budget calculator you can use to calculate your affordability and how much you would need to budget for your monthly repayments. This is a helpful tool to give you an idea of what can be expected of you once you get financing.
Create a checklist
When you’ve been selected for financing and have purchased your caravan, you’re all set to plan your holiday. One important caravan holiday tip is to create a checklist of everything you need for your trip. This will include a towing aid that is the right size for your vehicle. Other items on your checklist should be your caravan jack, sway control device, insulation tape, fire extinguisher, wheel chocks, towing mirrors, coolant and oil. These, among other items, will help make your trip comfortable and ensure you are ready for any obstacle that may come your way. After you’ve checked your must-haves list, you can create a list for your other needs, such as bathroom, kitchen and bedroom essentials as well as games and snacks for adults and children. Lastly, make sure you pack jackets in case the weather changes at the drop of a hat.
Make sure you’re road-ready
Before you drive to your holiday destination, you need to take your caravan for a test driving experience. Especially if this is your first time driving one as you’ll need to familiarise yourself with its workings. Many caravan owners advise that you should practise reversing a couple of times as that’s what first-time caravan drivers struggle with the most.
Once you’ve perfected your driving skills, you need to do your safety checks. Your safety checks include checking that your caravan’s towing aid is the right fit and your tyres are in good shape and are the correct pressure. If you bought a second-hand caravan, make sure you take a look at your drawers, windows and doors to see if they’re locked and secure before going on your trip. Lastly, make sure that your vehicle and caravan lights work, and that your tyres are in good condition, before travelling.
Plan your journey
While seeing where the wind will take you may be fun, you need to have some sort of plan before you go. Familiarise yourself with your route beforehand, and find out if there are any petrol stations along with the way as well as how many stops you might need to make before you arrive. Once you’re on the road, be sure to take it easy as a first-time caravan driver. Take your time to get comfortable with being on the road. Another reason why you need to take it easy is that when you’re travelling at high speed, you use more fuel. If you’re wary about fuel consumption, then you might want to slow down. Remember that your holiday can start while you’re on the road, so take your time and enjoy the journey as well as the destination. To make yourself more comfortable and to ensure you arrive at the caravan park on time, you should get an early start. This will allow you to take your time while still ensuring you arrive on time.
In conclusion
While this holiday won’t be the same since you’ll have your own caravan, it’s safe to say that you’ll have a blast. Not only will you go to a fun destination and take a break, but you’ll have enough room to accommodate your friends and family. Your vacation is sure to be filled with wonderful memories that you will treasure forever. And while it may be overwhelming trying out something new, these tips will help you get kick-started and ready for your trip.
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