It is not illegal to park your caravan on the road if it is not causing an obstruction to road users. This does not mean that it cannot be a highway obstruction, any vehicle parked on the road is an obstruction to the highway. In practice this means that a caravan can be parked on the road as long as it does not block anybody’s driveway or create a hazard to other road users, such as blocking visibility around a tight bend.

Any caravan owner must ensure that they do not deny access to the public, wilful obstruct the highway without lawful excuse or make unreasonable use of the highway. This is defined under section 137 of the Highways Act and Regulation 103 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Act of 1986.

It is also necessary that the caravans reflectors face the direction of the traffic. A statement from the Police says that a caravan “must be lit at night if it is parked on a road and comply with the other normal parking rules”. This requirement should be answered if a caravan has all the normal regulation reflectors and is parked near street lighting. Many people do not follow this rule judging by the amount of poorly lit caravans seen on roads. However it is definitely worth making sure that your caravan is adequately visible both for the safety of other road users and for the protection of your caravan.

If you want to park your caravan on a road then you should speak to your insurance company. You may find that your insurance does not cover the car being left on the road for an extended period of time. There are also matters of civility to contemplate; try to consider the needs of your neighbours and other road users. Be courteous, inform them if you are going to leave your caravan on the road. Do not work on your caravan when it is in the road and under no circumstances use it as accommodation. Also you should be aware that the Police are able to issue warnings and fines if they believe that your caravan is causing an obstruction, it is down to the discretion of the Police officers what constitutes an obstruction so heed their warning.

Rules vary about parking caravans on roads. You will find that there is a great deal of information on the web, much of it is contradictory. The best thing to do is to contact your local council and local Highways Agency. They will be able to provide you with relevant local information and any applicable by laws in the area.

Ultimately parking a caravan on the road is not an ideal situation. You may find that you cannot park your caravan in your drive due to restrictive covenants on the deeds of your house. If you are unsure then you should seek advice from your solicitor. The best solutions to caravan storage are to keep your caravan out of sight and protected from thieves and weather in a garage or in a specifically designed caravan storage park.

Taking a pet with you on your caravan holiday can be a great idea but you should make sure that you are adequately prepared for both your and their comfort.

Caravan Travel With A Pet Inside the U.K.

If you are going to a caravan site firstly check with the owners that pets are allowed.

Make sure that you have a travelling cage for your dog or cat. It needs to be large enough for them to be comfortable. Let your pet test the cage before you plan to travel especially if you are going a long way. It may help your pet to relax if you put a familiar blanket or cushion in the cage. Ensure that they have enough water for the journey. Take a spare bottle with you so that you can top up their water from time to time.

If you have a dog you are probably have the necessary equipment to keep them restrained when out and about, but this may not be the case if you have a cat. Some cats are house cats and they may be happy to remain in a caravan for the duration of the holiday. If this is the case with your cat you need to ensure that your caravan has good ventilation otherwise it may get too hot inside on a warm day.

Some people buy leads for their cats so that they can take them on a walk. Others choose to let their cats roam free, but this can be a risk if they become disorientated and try to find their way home. There are collar tags available that can be electronically tracked, this could be useful if you are trying to find your cat and it is hiding somewhere.

Caravan Travel With A Pet Outside of the U.K.

It is possible to travel in your caravan with cats, dogs and ferrets outside of the U.K. on the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS). This scheme allows these pets to enter the U.K. from certain countries, all of the E.U. and certain other non-EU countries without having to be quarantined for six months. This is great if you are a caravanner who likes to travel around Europe for your vacations.

To comply with PETS you must have your pet micro chipped, then vaccinated against rabies, blood tested to ensure an acceptable level of protection against rabies. When the pet is to return to the U.K. it must be treated for ticks and tapeworm no less than 24 hours and no more than 48 hours before it is to embark on its return journey. Your pet must travel from a PETS listed country by an authorised route and with an authorised carrier back to the UK.

It is essential that you travel with all of the relevant documentation and proofs of the treatment. When travelling outside of the U.K. you must get an additional veterinary certificate. If you do not have sufficient evidence that your pet is compliant with the PETS scheme it will be taken into quarantine for six months or until you can show compliance.

The cost of taking your dog, cat or ferret on your caravan holiday through the PETS scheme is likely to start at around £125, but it can varies significantly. Don’t forget that you will need to have booster jabs from time to time and have the passport re stamped to prove that your pet is still healthy.

Certain countries have more strict rules about animal behaviour than we do in the UK. For example in Switzerland dogs some must be muzzled in public places.

Taking your pet on a caravan holiday can be great fun if you are prepared. To ensure maximum enjoyment always check the local rules of the campsite, country or principality and make sure that you are in accordance with government legislation at all times.

 Static caravans offer owners a home away from home. Having a holiday property to retreat too is an attractive prospect for many buyers. You can choose a spectacular location, local facilities to suit you and you have the option of renting out the property when you are not in residence

Static caravans can be purchased for reasonable prices but there is a significant amount of variance in the prices. As you would expect pre-owned static caravans can be a great way to get value for money, if you are after the luxury end of the new market you should anticipate paying a lot of money for your static caravan.

There are a number of things to consider if you are going to buy a static caravan. Static caravans are designed to stay in one place, they can be moved but it will be a costly and time consuming exercise. With this in mind the first thing to consider is location. Make a short list of the places that you are happy to go to time and time again. Consider not just the caravan park itself but the local area.

When you have decided upon your preferred location you need to think about where in the park you would like to be situated. Perhaps your would prefer to be at a quiet end of a park or maybe you would rather be in the midst of the buzz, right near the facilities. Choose wisely, as your placement within the park will have a significant affect on your enjoyment of your static caravan.

Budgets for static homes need to include running costs, they are more expensive to run than standard towed caravans. You will have to pay rent and possibly money to a park residents association / towards the upkeep of the park, your caravan will also be connected to mains electric and fresh water so do not forget to factor those in to your budget projections.

Some people choose to use their static caravans as permanent residences. If you choose to do this then you need to check that permanent residence is permitted. Planning permission is necessary if the caravan will be used permanently. Recently a caravan site in Aberystwyth has run foul of the council because they do not have planning permission for 44 out of 68 caravans. They are now applying for retrospective planning permission, if it is not granted then the residents of 44 of the caravans may be homeless for six weeks of every year. They claim that the council were completely aware of the situation over the twenty year period, a charge the council deny. Ultimately this case highlights the need to fully check out the status of the site before you commit to it.

If you are not looking to have a permanent residence then you may want to rent out your static caravan when you are not using it. This can significantly contribute towards the running costs of your caravan particularly if you are only going to use it for a few months of the year.

Buying a static caravan can be a great way to own a holiday home. But make sure that you do a lot of research so that your static caravan will always be the perfect retreat.

As of the 20^th April 2010 caravans that measure up to 2.55m wide will be able to be towed behind any normal car in the U.K. and VAT will be payable on caravans up to this width.

Previously caravans measuring more than 2.3m wide had to be towed by a car with a gross weight of over 3500 kg. VAT did not have to paid on any caravan over 2.3m wide. After the 20^th April the standard VAT rate of 17.5% will be resumed on any caravan up to 2.55m wide.

The changes have come about after a challenge from the European commission. The aim of the changes is to bring the U.K. into harmony with regulations across Europe. The changes have been made in the form of amendments to the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations of 1986.

What this means for caravanners is that if they purchase a caravan between 2.3 and 2.55m wide in the next seven days VAT will not be payable. This represents a significant saving. However it will not be road legal until the 20^th April if it is to be towed by a regular car.

Reactions from the caravan community have been general positive. A number of commentators have highlighted the benefit of having an increased range of road legal caravans for users with regular cars. Many people have already benefited from what is effectively a VAT suspension on larger caravans which are due to become legal next week.

U.K. tourism will also potentially increase thanks to this legislative change. Many European caravanners have vehicles that can, at the moment, not be driven legally in the U.K., but from April the 20^th they will be able to bring their caravans to the U.K. for holidays, hopefully having a positive impact on the tourism industry.

On the 8^th March 2010 four men were jailed for their part in grand scale caravan theft. The four men, all part of the same family, were discovered to be in possession of £700,000 worth of stolen caravans and motor homes, money and jewellery.  The complete scale of their crimes is unlikely to even be discovered.

The men were said to have been involved in the large scale conspiracy since 2004, they stole the caravans and motor homes from driveways and motorway service stations. That information should stand as advise to any caravan or motor home owner. Most people are more careful once they are on holiday, but criminals often target driveways and service stations as people sometimes do not take all of the necessary measures to secure their caravans or motor homes in these places.

Insurance officials reported that in 2007, the year that the men were arrested, caravan theft almost halved. It dropped from 848 to 454 in just one year. All of the men had previous convictions relating to the theft of caravans and the judge described the operation as “well organised”.

It is worth remembering to adequately secure your caravan. There are a number of tools available to you to make sure that you are not the victim of organised or opportunistic crime.

Firstly ensure that your caravan is registered with C.R.I.S. (The Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme). If your caravan was manufactured after 1992 it will already be part of the scheme, if it was manufactured before this date you can apply to have it registered. The scheme makes it significantly harder for criminals to sell on your caravan once it has been stolen. If you are buying a second hand caravan you should definitely perform a C.R.I.S. Check and ensure that it has all of the necessary documents.

There are lots of other security measures that you can undertake, including fitting alarm, electronic tracking devices, wheel clamps and hitch locks.

If you would like more detailed information about caravan security please follow this link to our earlier caravan security blog post.

Cold weather causes problems for vehicles, including caravans and motorhomes, and roads alike. It is predicted to continue to be cold in the U.K. for some time yet, especially in the north of the country. Cold weather wreaks havoc with the condition of our roads. Water runs into gaps in the road surfaces, when it freezes it expands creating and worsening potholes.  The affects of the winter weather will be with us for some time after the weather has changed so please check your vehicle over for any signs of seasonal wear and tear.  If you spot any problems you will save yourself money and make the roads safer for everyone.

1. Regularly check your windscreen for chips and cracks.  If they are not dealt with they could worsen whilst you are driving and cause serious visibility problems. Some chips can be sorted without a whole new windscreen being fitted, saving you time and money as well as increasing safety. Approximately 2 million people fail their MOT each year because of problems with the windscreen.
2. Check your tyres.  Kwikfit estimate that 1/10 drivers head out onto icy roads with illegal tyre depth.  If you are unsure take your vehicles to a garage and ask their opinion.  In many snow bound countries there are laws insisting on the use of winter tyres, in the U.K. that is not law but it is advisable if you are going to be using your vehicles in difficult conditions.
3. Salt and grits spread onto the roads to prevent ice forming may make driving safer but have a detrimental affect on the health of your car.  Check for rust on the bodywork and under the car, the earlier you find it the easier it is to sort out.
4. Inspect your windscreen wipers for wear. If they break because of ice on the glass, or if they are just ineffective it could cause you major problems when driving.  It is recommended by manufacturers that windscreen wipers are changed once a year.
5. Watch out for pot holes and be sure to avoid them at all times.  Going into potholes can cause all sorts of problems for your car.  The most common problem caused by potholes is axle and suspension damage. It is estimated that the cost to British motorists is £2.8 billion every year.

Spring is almost upon us, so fingers crossed for some lovely weather soon.  But it is worth carrying out these simple checks on your car, caravan or motohome to ensure that every journey you make in your is as safe as it could possible be.

Your tyres are your point of contact with the road. Acceleration, braking, cornering and steering are all dependant on the quality of your tyres and their suitability to your vehicle. It is essential to regularly check your tyres and to get advice before you even consider changing the type of tyres that you are using. In some countries it is illegal to use tyres that differ from the tyres that the vehicle would have been fitted with. The correct types of tyre for your vehicles will be listed in the vehicles’ handbooks. Always consult a professional if you have any concerns about your tyres.

Getting the Right Tyre Pressure

• Your tyres need to be the correct pressure, this varies from vehicle to vehicle.

• Tyres that are over or under inflated will wear at a much faster rate and their performance will not be at the required standard.

• Always check your tyre pressure when the tyres are cold. The heat gained during movement causes tyre pressure to rise. If you adjust the pressure using hot tyres as your starting point you will have under inflated tyres.

• It is recommended to inflate the rear tyres of the towing vehicle to the suggested ‘fully laden’ pressure, as they will bear a lot of the weight of the caravan.

Wear and Age

• Check that the your tyres have enough tread. The legal minimum tread pattern depth in the U.K. is 1.6mm through the central 75% of the tread width and around the circumference.

• Do not use tyres that are over seven years old, even if they have not been used. Tyres deteriorate over time and tyres over this age should not be trusted.

• It is recommended to change tyres that are over five years old, if not before.

• If you do not use your caravan frequently you should always check the tyres before any journey. Look for signs of deterioration and wear. Tyres that are left static will deteriorate more quickly than if they are used regularly.

• If you are not going to use your caravan for some time it is advisable to take the weight off the tyres to preserve them. You should shield them from the sun.

• Older caravans may be fitted with tyres that are no longer available, for example cross ply tyres. If your caravan is fitted with these tyres you should consult a specialist about the best way to upgrade your tyres.

• Always keep a spare tyre inflated to the right pressure in both the caravan and the towing vehicle.

The most important thing to remember is that your tyres need to be checked regularly on both the caravan and the towing vehicle. Towing a caravan puts a significant amount of extra pressure onto the tyres of the towing vehicle so it is best to always be diligent.  Having good quality tyres that are in a good condition will help you to have an easier journey and towing will be safer.

Unfortunately winter is upon us once again and unless you plan on taking your caravan away over the colder seasons it is now time to protect your caravan by putting it into hibernation. There are a number of key steps to take that will ensure that your caravan makes it through the cold and rain in one piece. If you do not take adequate steps to prevent the onset of damp, infestation and weather damage then you may find that your caravan will need a lot of work doing on it in the spring and of course that could cost a lot of money, at worst your caravan could become completely unusable. But do not panic these eventualities are avoidable if you are careful.

 Deal With the Water Systems

• Drain the hot and cold water systems completely. Open the taps and remove the drain plug (often located on the outside of the caravan). It is a good idea to do this at the last place that you use your caravan as the journey home should clear out any excess water.

• Empty the toilet tank, then clean and dry thoroughly. If you have a cassette toilet you should apply lubricant to the seals and blade, this can be a specific maintenance product, silicon spray or olive oil. This will help to avoid corrosion and sticking.

Remove All Accessories

• Remove all upholstery if possible. The best place to store it is in a dry place in your house. If you do not the risk of damp and mould is high.

• Remove gas cylinders if possible. Make sure that they are turned off, stored in an adequately ventilated place and keep them securely locked away. Remember that butane freezes below -4°C and it is not usable at less than 3°C. Propane does not have this problem.

• Remove the leisure battery, it is advisable to recharge it every couple of months to keep it at maximum efficiency. Ensure that the battery you remove does not power the alarm system in your caravan. Most alarm systems have a dedicated power source.

Prevent Damp Setting In

• Open all of the cupboards and storage places in the caravan, including the fridge and freezer if you have one. This will ensure that air circulates through the whole caravan, which will help to prevent damp and ensure that the air does not get stale.

• Open all of the vents and windows and lightly lubricate them. When you have done this make sure that they are all closed and locked, to avoid the weather and vandals getting in. Air circulation is important to ensure that damp does not set in, so do not cover vents. You can also place dehumidifiers in the caravan to combat damp.

Clean Thoroughly

• Clean everything thoroughly, taking special care to ensure that there are no traces of food anywhere. You could leave non perishables, like tinned food, in the caravan, but in case of damp and the potential of tins to rust, this is not strictly advisable.

• Clean and dry the awning, ideally you should store it in your house. If you do not it is likely that it will go mouldy.

• Clean and polish the outside of the caravan. There are specialist products available for the winterising of caravans if you wish to protect your caravan as much as possible.

Store Carefully

• Plug all of the water and waste outlets and inlets. This will stop creatures using your caravan as their home.

• Taking the weight off the wheels for even a few weeks will increase the life of the suspension, running gear and tyres. Remove the wheels and support the axles with axle stands. Store the wheels and bolts securely. Check with your insurance company that your caravan is still covered when you do this. If this is not possible try to move the caravan every month or so to even out the wear on the tyres.

• If necessary purchase a cover for your caravan, make sure that it is made from a breathable material otherwise it will do more harm than good. This is particularly a good idea if your caravan is stored under a tree.

• Leave the handbrake off.

• Check the caravan regularly for damp, vandalism and other damage.

There are probably thousands of different styles of caravan available. Think carefully about your requirements from a caravan before you buy one. Caravans are an expensive purchase so it is worth taking some time to find the perfect one for you.

Static Caravans

Static caravans are great if you have one place that you really love to go. They are normally fairly large and stay in one place all of the year. The main advantages of a static caravan are:

• Stays in one place at your favourite destination.

• You do not have to transport your caravan when you wish to go away.

• You do not need to organise storage when you are not using your caravan. (Although you may have to pay the park it is in for general security and upkeep).

• More suited to the installation of modern conveniences for example washing machines and double glazing. (This means buying a static caravan can be expensive).

Touring Caravans

Touring caravans are the most popular form of caravans. They allow for spontaneous holidays and if you do not like where you end up you can just move on. Here are a few general key facts about touring caravans.

• They must be attached to a towing vehicle for transportation. Heavier caravans must be transported by more powerful cars.

• Size varies enormously.

• Generally the seating area is transformed into the sleeping area at night.

• Touring caravans are likely to have a kitchen and washing area of varying description. Some may have a toilet and others will not.

• Touring caravans are popular because they offer the greatest amount of personal freedom.

Full/Standard Touring Caravans

This is the most recognisable style of caravan. They have solid sides and a solid roof. They are set up to be easy to connect to amenities and normally have a fairly high roof for comfort.

Pop-top / Pop-up Caravans

As the name suggest these kinds of caravan have roofs that can be raised up providing extra head room. Normally this flexible part is made of a strong vinyl to ensure water resistance. Pop-top caravans have some specific benefits. They make towing easier because they are less wind resistant. They use less fuel in transportation because they are less heavy that standard caravans and they will have good air circulation inside. The disadvantages are that you will have less storage space and they take a little more time to set up.

Compact Caravans

As the name suggests these caravans are small. Normally they have a solid metal shell. They do not have a large amount of room so do not expect luxury. The main attraction is that they will have beds inside (normally two). If you are looking for a more comfortable nights sleep than you could get in a tent then they are a good option.

Fifth Wheel Caravans

These caravans are not often seen in the U.K. however they are popular in America. A pick up truck or similar vehicle is needed to tow them. They are very large and contain many home comforts, they are quite literally a home away from home. But they use a significant amount of fuel to be transported and need a large specialised towing vehicle. Getting around some of the small country roads in the U.K. would not be possible with this kind of caravan.

A few things to consider before making a purchase

• How far and how frequently are you going to travel? Smaller caravans are easy to transport, but the living space is reduced, you will need to strike a balance between the two.

• Where are you going? Do you need a shower/toilet which will take up space and add weight or are you going to stay in caravan parks where they are likely to have these facilities?

• What weight can your towing vehicle tow? Do not forget to budget for a more powerful car if you want a large caravan.

• Fuel will cost more with a heavier caravan.

• How many beds do you really need?

• What appliances will make you comfortable? For example in the kitchen will a microwave be sufficient or do you want a grill and hob? If you will only go caravanning in the summer you may be able to BBQ outside instead.

• There are only a few caravans that are expressly listed as off road suitable. If you do want to go off road, fully check the manufacturers warranty to ensure that what you want to do will not invalidate it. Off road caravans will weigh more because they are re-enforced with a lot of extra metal. They are likely to come with more spare parts and will ideally have low energy appliances.

• Having lots of windows allows for a greater view of the scenery around and lets in lots of light.

• Interiors and layouts vary enormously so shop around for something that makes you happy. Remember it is not about how large the caravan is but how the space it used!

Caravanning is a popular holiday choice, which means that there are loads of destinations to choose from. Staying at a designated caravan park is a good idea because they should provide you with at least the basic facilities that you need to be comfortable, such as clean toilets and access to fresh water. There is a vast range of different types of caravan site with all kinds of different facilities.

When you are choosing somewhere to stay it is worth considering what you need from your holiday destination. Here are 10 things that could affect your choice of pitch:

1. Animals – Not all sites allow pets, some may charge if you do take them.

2. Adults – Some sites are adult only sites, creating a completely different atmosphere.

3. Children – Some sites will have lots of child friendly facilities such as playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis courts and even petting zoos.

4. Privacy – If you want a high degree of privacy it may be worth looking for somewhere with en-suite facilities and secluded pitches.

5. Facilities – Sports facilities, food and drink availability and social events all differ from place to place. If you want to cycle, many sites offer cycle hire facilities.

6. Public Transport Connections – If you wish to see the local area you should find out about the local transport system. Check how close the train station or bus stop is to the site.

7. Locations – If you want lots of things to do during your holiday, check the local area or your intended destination site for information about areas of natural beauty, tourist attractions, water parks, beaches, local events and other things to do.

8. Locality – It is worth finding out how long it will take you to get to the site, and how much that journey will cost you.

9. Price – Price varies enormously, from £3 a night upwards, you may find that it is beneficial to join a club so that you can take advantage of their reduced rates.

10. Booking – Book well in advance if you have a specific site in mind. During peak times some sites get completely booked up.

Once you have decided upon what you need from a site you can start looking at the different kinds of sites available.

Static Caravan Sites

There are lots of static caravan sites in the U.K. They are available to buy and to rent. If you particularly like a certain area and wish for the comfort of having your own things around you then buying a static caravan may be a good idea. You can also rent static caravans. This is excellent if you do not have the means to transport a touring caravan. The parks that static caravans are located on will normally offer a range of facilities.

Touring Caravan Sites

Touring caravans are flexible homes. You can stay in large parks with many facilities or you can retreat to small rustic pitches in the countryside, the choice is yours!

Certified Locations

The smallest sites known as Certified Locations to the Caravan Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club, are suitable for no more than 5 caravans at any one time. They offer seclusion and basic amenities. Certified locations are casual, normally rural caravan sites designed to facilitate your enjoyment of the local area rather than to provide you with on-site activities. Many sites of this size are affiliated to a caravan club so they are only available to use if you are a member. The cost of staying in a site of this size starts at about £3, which makes it great value for money if you can entertain yourself.

Starred Caravan Sites – The British Graded Holiday Park Scheme

There is a system in place to evaluate holiday parks and caravan sites. It is the traditional 5* system. Private sites, holiday parks owned by commercial operators and the club sites that are open to non-members will generally all be rated under the star system. It is organised by the tourist boards of the U.K. As you would expect 5* is the top rating; caravan sites with this accolade will have groceries available daily, 24 hour access to a public telephone, good lighting, heated toilets and 75% of pitches will have electrical hook ups. 5* sites will have extremely high levels of cleanliness and all facilities will be in good order.

The other sites are graded according to where they fall in comparison to this. 5* means exceptional standards, 4* excellent quality, 3* is the industry standard, 2* is good, 1* is acceptable. Any parks that fall below these standards will not be awarded a star.

The star system is not an indication of the types of facilities available, but of the quality of the facilities that are there. Star status is reviewed annually. Always check individual brochures for details about the exact facilities that will be available.

Other Criteria for Judging Holiday Parks

The Camping and Caravanning Club and The Caravan Club have their own criteria for judging their own caravan sites. This information is available to members. Both of the clubs have a good reputation and many choose these sites because they have a high minimum standard.

The David Bellamy Conservation Award is given to all of the caravan sites in the U.K. that are making a comprehensive effort and having a positive affect on local wildlife. There are 600+ awarded sites at the moment. Many of the sites are in areas of great natural beauty and some are completely eco-friendly.