Having invested a great deal of time and hard-earned money
in our new caravan, we were concerned about thieves.
Like other caravan owners, we took the usual preventative steps (security system, hitchlock, wheelclamp, and so forth), but when eight caravans were stolen in our area some months ago, we decided to take measures
to help recover ours should it suffer the same fate.
We had a local printer make our postcode into two strips
(4ft x 1ft) of black lettering on
a reflective, yellow background with a self-adhesive backing.
Thieves are unlikely to look on the roof of a van they're trying to steal, so that's where we attached the strips.
They cannot be seen from
the ground, but would certainly
assist in tracking a stolen caravan from the air, or would simply help to identify it.
The reason that we decided
to put our postcode on the roof rather than our registration number is that you're more likely to change your towcar than
your postcode.
I suggest you first apply a very light spray of washing-up liquid to the roof, as this will make it easier to position the stickers.
Paul Murray
Rhyl, Denbighshire
|
|
French cheeses are great and many caravanners like to stock up when they are touring in France. But
no one wants their van smelling of ripe Camembert. So, why not keep them in the front locker, wrapped up in plenty of bags? The
drop-out vents allow pungent whiffs to escape and the cheese is kept at room temperature – so it's ready to serve when the time is right.
Darren Fones
Hove, West Sussex
|
In response to those who say foam tubing is a vital caravanning aid,
I have another: the humble rubber glove. I never leave home without
a pair. They have so many uses, but I mainly use them when putting away the hook-up. Not only do
they keep your hands clean of mud and grass, but as you feed the
cable through your hands into
a coil, the gloves clean the cable
of any excess muck.
Julia Barnes
Heacham, Norfolk
|
When using a directional aerial instead of a status aerial, finding
the right direction and polarity
can sometimes be quite tricky.
But if there are any static caravans on site or a house close by, then copy the direction of their aerial. If you are not sure how your caravan lines up, or you are out of view
of your van, then use a small cheap compass to line up the aerial,
then go back to your van and copy that same compass reading
Dewi Lewis
By email
|
With an increasing number of caravans being fitted with built-in CD players, look out for newspapers that are giving away free music CDs and use these to build up a travel collection for your van. This will save you from splitting up your home collection, and because they come in slim cardboard sleeves, they take up less space and weigh less than the plastic jewel cases that
CDs usually come in.
Mick Green
Corringham, Essex
|
I've banned wellies and muddy boots from the caravan, having spent too many years of my life scrubbing at dirty carpet patches. But finally, my husband's love for cricket is actually starting to do me some good. Knock four cricket stumps into the ground outside the door, and you've got the perfect place to store upturned boots at the end of a rainy day.
Pat Jones
Plymouth
|
Here's a tip for those with larger user payloads. Rather than filling your car with suitcases full of folded clothes, hang your clothes up in the van before you leave for your destination. You'll look your best on site, and you won't need the added weight of a travel iron.
Jean Emery
Guildford, Surrey
|
To avoid disturbing the rest of the family during those necessary
night-time trips to the loo, place
a solar light in the bathroom sink. It produces a lovely dim glow, but also means you don't waste unnecessary energy. It keeps you from bumping into things on the way, too.
M C Norton
Colchester, Essex
|
Here's a good tip to help stop your caravan being stolen. Many people buy wheelclamps to fit to their caravans, but here's a way of providing additional security. Buy
a motorcycle lock and chain and fit it to another of your caravan's wheels: it's also easy to carry with you in the car. Don't forget to check that your wheels have a hole to let you pass the chain from one side to the other.
Paul Johnson
Longlevens, Gloucester
|
Having purchased a fitted cover
for our Bailey Pageant last winter, we found when removing it that
the loose sponge pads, supplied for protecting the sharp ends of the awning rails, had fallen away and we were left with four tears in the cover. These have since been repaired with a kit supplied by the manufacturer.
However, I have devised a way
of protecting the ends of the awning rails by drilling a hole through
the centre of an old golf ball and passing an M6 x 80 roofing bolt (plated) through it. I then attached the shell of an M6 rawlbolt to the end of the roofing bolt. This then fits into the splayed end of the rail.
A few turns of the golf ball makes the rawlbolt expand, holding the golf ball right in the rail. For extra protection, simply drill a hole in
the four pads and place over the rawlbolt. This will compress between the awning rail and the golf ball. These can be fitted and removed in seconds. My enclosed sketch should make things clearer.
Peter Brown
Banstead, Surrey
|
|
