Travelling in a car in adverse conditions can be dangerous if you are not well prepared. Water, ice and snow on the roads all increase stopping distances dramatically. Visibility is likely to be reduced because of shorter days, fog, mist and precipitation. If your car breaks down or you have an accident you need to be prepared to wait in the cold or to have the necessary equipment to sort it out. In order to minimise danger it is a good idea to take precautions before you travel. Every vehicle, even off road vehicles, will be affected by bad road conditions, so pay extra attention at all points of your journey.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Winter

• Get your car serviced so that it is in the best condition to deal with the adverse conditions.

• Check and, if necessary, replace the anti freeze in the radiator.

• Consider getting winter tyres put on your vehicles if you live in a remote or badly affected area. Always ensure that your tyres have at least 3mm of tread depth and that they are properly inflated according to the manufacturers instructions.

• Check that your windscreen wiper blades are working well, replace them if they are not, this will help to ensure that you have the maximum visibility at all times.

Driving in Winter Conditions

If conditions are bad it is best to not drive. Always check weather reports before making a long trip. Use route planners and local radio traffic updates to get the latest information on the roads that you wish to travel.

Flooding & Strong Winds

The risk of flooding in certain areas is high this year. The Met office have issued severe weather warnings for much of the country, it is never advisable to drive in flooded conditions but if you have to then you should follow these basic guidelines:

1. Avoid driving through surface water; your engine may flood, or you may aquaplane which could cause you to loose control of your vehicle.

2. The deepest water is likely to be nearest the curb, if possible drive near to the centre of the road.

3. If you have to drive through surface water, stay in first gear and continually move to avoid stalling.

4. Always test your breaks immediately after driving through water, if they work fine then you can increase your speed.

5. High winds will particularly affect highsided vehicles including caravans and motor homes, slow down and remember to be extra cautious when approaching open areas such as bridges.

Snow and Ice

1. Decrease speed

2. Stopping distances are increased so leave a large amount of distance between yourself and the car in front.  Take more time to slow down to navigate corners and bends in the road.

3. Do not break hard. Breaking gently will help to minimise skidding, if the wheels lock when braking, ease off the brake.

4. Have your lights on all of the time

5. Keep your windscreen, lights, windows and mirrors clean for maximum visability.

Winter Supplies for Your Vehicle

Prepare yourself for difficult conditions by having these essentials in your vehicle at all times and especially if you are taking a long journey.

• First Aid Kit

• Blankets and warm clothing

• Non perishable and high energy food eg nuts, dried fruit and sweets

• Water

• De-icer and ice scraper

• Maps of the area

• Torch and spare batteries

• Mobile phone

• Spare tyre, wheel wrench and jack

• Shovel, if snow is expected

• Towing ropes

• Tool Kit

• Jump leads

If you are well equipped you will find that you are able to deal with most situations easily and safely. The most important thing to remember is to be cautious and vigilant.  This is especially necessary if you are towing a caravan as it will be far more challenging to drive safely in difficult conditions, make sure that you plan your journey very well and take plenty of provisions.

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.

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!

 There are a number of checks that need to be performed before you  take a trip with a caravan. It is essential to satisfy all of the legal requirements and to take as many steps as possible to ensure the safety of all road users. This guide should not be considered exhaustive but a good start to getting you on your way.

Relative Weights

Having the correct weight distribution is a legal requirement, so it is definitely a good idea to ensure that you have all of the weights worked out before you purchase any new equipment or a new vehicle.

1. Ensure the engine of the towing vehicle is large enough for the weight of the caravan.

2. Ensure that the brakes are powerful enough for the weight of the caravan.

3. Check that the gross weight of the trailer doesn’t exceed the towing weight. The recommended towing limit will be recorded in the manufacturers handbook and on the V.I.N. Plate on the chassis. It is recommended that the towed vehicle does not exceed 85% of the weight of the towing vehicle.

4. Check the nose weight is either 4% of trailer weight or at least 25kg, whichever is higher.

Loading Your Caravan

The way in which you load your caravan will affect the way that it drives. Wrongly loaded caravans are far more likely to swerve or snake and so will be much more difficult to control. Follow these loading guidelines to achieve the maximum amount of stability for your caravan.

• Always store heavy smaller items low down, ideally over the axles or just in front of them.

• Try and maintain even weight distribution. If you have heavy items to place in front of the axle balance them by placing an equally weighted item just behind the axle.

• Lighter, larger items should ideally be carried in the towing vehicle.

• Only place light items in the overhead lockers.

• Place heavy and medium weighted items towards the front of the vehicle.

• Safely secure all items in the caravan. Tying them down if necessary.

• Gas cannisters must be turned off at the cylinder when moving. Furthermore the channel tunnel and ferries have their own guidelines regarding gas transportation. Always check before you travel with each individual travel provider.

Checks To Perform Just Before You Travel

It is advisable to perform these checks every time that you are going to travel. They will help to ensure the safety of you and your vehicles whilst on the road.

1. Check all cables for wear and tear and ensure they are firmly secured to both the towing and the towed vehicles.

2. Check the tyre pressure is correct on both vehicles.

3. Ensure that all prop stands and corner steadies are completely wound up and secured in place.

4. Check the coupling height is correct. The trailer should be level with the towing vehicle.

5. Check you have adequate visibility from the drivers seat, add additional towing mirrors if necessary.