Accessories for Touring Caravans

Not all accessories are created equal and neither, thank goodness, are human beings. This means that what Caravanner A considers essential, Caravanner B has no use for and would rather spend his money on something else entirely. One thing is for certain, that after you have invested in your touring caravan, there are an almost endless range of accessories out there.

Some are designed to take the effort out of otherwise back breaking tasks, some will help you save time, others will gain you space and yet more still are simply gadgets for the caravan owner who has everything.

Here is a guide to some of the most popular caravan accessories.

Awnings

Many caravan owners don’t consider their tourer and their awning as having separate identities, rather two halves of a whole. It’s little wonder too because an awning can give you double or even more than double the space that you would have in a caravan alone. Where small space living is concerned this could make all the difference between loving or loathing caravanning.

An awning can be your protected space in the outdoors, a kitchen, an extra bedroom, your lounge and dining room, a playroom for the children or just simply somewhere to dump everything you don’t have room for including wet clothes, boots and towels.

Awnings come in just about every shape and size possible, and in price ranges to suit every budget. Choices are almost endless – one big room or separated ‘rooms’, windows, curtains, a choice of flooring options from basic to luxury and a host of added extras. Small porches start from about £75 and prices go upwards from there.

Motorised movers

A man who can resist a remote control gadget is a rare breed, hence one of the reasons caravan owners everywhere are investing in motorised movers. Of course there is also the fact that they completely eliminate the possible hernia inducing activity of moving and situating your caravan, especially if there is a hill in the equation. On caravan sites countrywide the former familiar cries of ‘that will do’ as all caravan pushers run out of steam are being replaced with ‘can I just have one more go?’ However, they don’t come cheap with prices starting around the £600 mark and finishing up well beyond £1000.

Water carriers

Some of the newer models of caravans now have on board water tanks but should your caravan be of the older or more traditional design then you are going to have to consider how you get your fresh water and how you get rid of your waste or grey water.

Fresh water is typically held in a barrel shaped container to which you attach a handle and roll the barrel along the ground. Prices start at around £25 for a 30 litre container. A small submersible pump allows you to attach the water-filled barrel up to your inside taps for running water. Some caravanners still choose to use a £5 collapsible or solid plastic container for their fresh water which is why there is often a jostle at caravan sites to get the pitch nearest to the taps.

Purpose specific grey waste containers, costing from £30 upwards, are typically long and flat with wheels so they can be slid under the caravan. Again, some caravanners use non-specific containers.

Steps

It’s often quite a leap from caravan to ground, fine for the fit and active, but more of an issue for most of us. Luckily there are caravan steps to suit every budget made from steel, aluminum or plastic. The latter, with prices from under £10, is the cheapest and lightest option but least durable. Steel is the heaviest but also the most robust – prices start at about £20 for double steps. Aluminium is light and durable but often the most expensive option.

Most steps sold have some kind of non-slip surface although cheaper models may not. Usually sold as a rough sandpaper like sheet, you can buy this and fix it yourself if you choose.

Security

1000s of caravans go walkabout every year with the help of both opportunist or seasoned professional caravan thieves. There are any number of devices and measures you can take to ensure you don’t fall a victim. Some caravans come with alarms and trackers fitted as standard but if not then both can be fitted as accessories and both cover wide price ranges with simple to elaborate versions.

Wheel clamps, which come in different sizes, are popular because once fitted they prevent the caravan wheels from turning. You can also get products to lock corner steadies in place, so the caravan can’t be towed or hitch locks which protect the hitching mechanism of the caravan from tampering. Winter wheels are a solution for caravans in storage as they replace the normal wheels, so protecting them as well from long stationary periods. Last but not least are various locks and devices which can be fitted to caravan doors, a major security weak spot.

None of the devices are foolproof and for the well practised caravan thief there is usually a way round security measures. However, you may deter an opportunist, possibly help reduce your insurance premium (or sometimes just make sure you haven’t invalidated the terms) and give yourself a fighting chance.

Toilet chemicals

Take it from a seasoned caravanner that this is one area you won’t want to cut corners on especially if you are taking your caravan away in warmer weather. There are chemicals designed for putting straight into your toilet cassette and those for adding to the flush water tank. They are designed to break down the matter and neutralise unpleasant smells.

There are several choices now on the market, of varying prices, quality and strength, including those which are more eco-friendly.

12 volt appliances

Kettles, irons, hair-dryers, fans, lights, microwave, TV – most electrical appliances you can think of come in a caravan friendly, 12 volt version. Very handy if you don’t have electric hook-up. Even if you do have mains electric, it could mean staying on friendly terms with the site owner by not tripping his electrics every 5 minutes.

Towing mirrors

If your caravan is wider than your car this is a legal requirement to ensure you have rear visibility. Additionally, towing mirrors have to be type approved and marked as such. They come in a vast range of design types and vary as to how they fix to your car and existing standard wing mirrors.

If you are considering towing mirrors then it is probably worth a trip to your closest caravan accessory shop to have a chat. Laws seem to change regularly with regard to this issue and they will have all the latest gen as well as being able to advise you on your options.

Caravan crockery and cookware

You could just transfer your best china into your caravan but be prepared for it to end in tears. A caravan jiggling along the motorway with china/glassware is not a match made in heaven. The ranges of tableware and cookware made especially for caravanners are designed to be lightweight and bullet proof. If all you can picture are the cheap plastics of childhood picnics then you may be pleasantly surprised.