Caravanning Essentials
Admittedly I’m typing this list after staying for a few days in a super luxurious static caravan which had all the mod-cons of home: oodles of space, central heating, a fully equipped large kitchen, decking etc etc but it got Bealers and me thinking about putting together a comprehensive checklist of the things we would definitely want to have with us once we start using our touring caravan with our two small tots (I was kicking myself because I forgot to take my precious pink wellies and couldn’t enjoy rock-pooling in the chilly North Wales sea one evening this weekend, Bealers was close to kicking me when he discovered I hadn’t thought to pack HP sauce, mustard, salt, pepper or herbs when it is well documented how much he loves cooking on his holiday).
Here goes. No doubt this will get refined as we actually use it pack over the coming year but for now I’m using this blog to keep the list safe.
- 4 x wellies
- warm dressing gowns
- wet wipes
- Good picnic for the journey
- Oven gloves
- Tea towels
- washing up brush, scourer & cloths
- Washing up bowl
- Fold away trolley
- Rubber gloves
- Frying pan
- Pans large and small
- Kettle
- Bottle opener
- Potato peeler
- Tin opener
- Cutlery
- Measuring jug
- Baking pyrex tray
- Pint glasses (plastic ones?)
- Water glasses 4-6
- Wine glasses x 2
- Mugs
- Bowls
- Tea, coffee & sugar & UHT milk sachets
- Brown sauce
- Spice grinders
- Mustard
- Butter
- Oil spray thing
- Bread
- Fresh milk
- Cheese
- Peanut butter
- Big bag of peanuts
- Fruit (apples, grapes & oranges)
- Honey
- Pasta
- Rice
- Potatoes
- Loo rolls
- Bedding
- Beach towels
- Bath towels
- Buckets & spade sets
- Hot water bottles
- Notepad & pen
- Few toys, books and crayons
- Shower cap
- Slippers x 4
- Sunhats x4
- Sunglasses x 4
- Nailbrush
- Hair mousse
- Moisturiser
- Soap
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Picnic set & picnic rug
- Sharp knives
- Snuggly blanket (for me during the evening)
- 2 x sleeping bags for kids (or are they too young to use?)
- Body warmers x 4
- Sandals x 4
- Leggings for girls
- Socks & pants
- Suncream
- Hairbrush
- Fabric plasters roll, scissors & antiseptic spray
- Calpol
- Cough syrup
- Phenagren
- Sting cream
- Mooncup
- Waterproof trousers & coats
- Books & mags
- Camera (charged and memory cleared!)
Apparently we’ll also be needing these highly essential items:
- Smoke alarm with new batteries
- Fire extinquisher and fire blanket
- First aid kit containing relevant medicines
- Rear registration number plate for caravan
- Spare wheel and jack
- Extension mirrors for driving
- Caravan battery, electric hook-up lead and gas bottle
- Wheelclamp, hitchlock and stabiliser
- Caravan brace for corner steadies
- Caravan step
- Waste water container and pipe
- Fresh water container and all connections
- Chemical toilet with suitable chemicals
- Awning complete with poles, pegs and mallet
And we’ll need to remember to do these touring caravan checks before starting the journey:
(courtesey of http://www.perransprings.co.uk/caravan-journey.asp)
- Check your car tyre pressures are suitable for towing and check wheel nuts are tight
- Turn of gas cylinder(s) and ensure they are securely strapped upright
- Empty water tanks, carry any water you might need for the journey in a small container
- Secure any loose items in the caravan, close windows, roof lights, fridge catch, and all door
- catches
- Once you have finished securing the caravan, ensure the handbrake is on
- Raise the corner steadies and stow winding handle and step
- Lock the door and hitch up, checking the mechanism is fully engaged
- Wind up the jockey wheel, unclamp and raise to its highest position.
- Re-clamp securely and fit the stabiliser bar, if applicable
- Correctly attach the breakaway cable, preferably to pigtail or secure part of the towing bracket
- Do not loop it over your towball
- Connect 12v cables making sure there is enough slack when turning corners
- Check your lights and that all mirrors are adjusted properly
- Walk around the caravan, to check it is sitting correctly
- You are now ready to go, but it is advisable to stop during the first 15 minutes of your journey
- to do one last check