Caravan Problems

Below are some Common (and not so common) Caravan Problems caravan owners and holiday makers experience. This article does certainly not apply to all caravans and therefore are only provided as a very rough guide...

Caravan Space/Size
Caravans are always limited on space (however large they are). The larger the caravan the more facilities are crammed in, reducing the actual moving around/living space. Always look at pictures/photos of the caravan you intend to be staying in to see how spacious it is.

Caravans have Thin Walls !
Caravan walls tend to be thin. Therefore family members in the adjoining rooms/bedrooms can normally hear most conversations/activities! This can also be said for the bathroom, therefore think twice before ordering in a hot takeaway curry.

Caravan Power/Voltage
Most caravans are limited on power. Therefore you may find that voltage hungry appliances like Kettle, Electric Heater, TV etc… if all turned on at the same time will cause the over voltage to trip the power fuse box. Therefore it is a good idea to locate the fuse box/trip switches upon arrival so you know where it is in case of a blackout !

Caravan Heating
During the winter/spring months, caravans can be a little cold. At the end of the day, a caravan is just a tin box !! Modern caravans are installed with double glazing, central heating etc… so this helps keep the temperature above freezing !

Burst Pipes
During winter, when the caravan is not used, unless the caravan has been drained down properly you may experience burst pipes. Therefore to limit this, pipes underneath the caravan are lagged to protect them from the frost and freezing conditions/temperatures. If the caravan is not used over a prolonged period of time, then the pipes and van should be drained down, removing all the water from the pipes. Once this is done, it is always a good idea to pour anti-freeze down the plug holes so as to line the pipes and any lingering water with anti-freeze and stop the pipes bursting.

Ants
Ants can be a menace to any caravan (regardless of the caravans age). As you know, Ants can pretty much get access to anywhere. A good tip is never to leave out anything sticky or leave open any jars of jam, marmalade etc…