Caravanning offers more than freedom. As the ideas in this column show, part of the fun is in creative problem solving. Why not send us your suggestions?

I was fed up with constantly taking plugs in and out of the van’s two sockets when I wanted to use a different appliance (kettle, toaster, TV). So, I decided the obvious solution was to install a couple of double adapters. Hey presto, no more struggling with changing plugs at inconvenient times. Just check you don’t blow the campsite’s power by using all your appliances at the same time!
Anna Campbell, Hampshire

STORY TIME
Audio books are a boon and can keep little ones occupied for ages. Many can be borrowed from libraries. If you don’t want to hear them yourself, you can let the kids listen on personal cassette or CD players with headphones.
Jan James, West Sussex

DAYLIGHT BRIBERY
Have plenty of “bribe food” to hand to stave off the “I’m hungry”, “When are we there?” moments – snack packs and small fruit are good Be prepared to trade the need to remove sticky, mouldy biscuits/apple cores, etc from seat crevices, door pockets or the backside of an unsuspecting future passenger’s trousers for the blissfully quiet sound of munching from the back seat.
Jan James, West Sussex

TOURING WITH NINTENDO
Our seven year old loves to take her Nintendo DS Lite games console plus a selection of games cartridges when we go touring. Dad also sneaks off with it on arrival at the site.
Andrew Freeman, Cheshire

I used to have problems judging the distance when reversing my car up to the towball. My solution was to line up the ball and hitch, get in the car and put a small mark on the lower rear window. I lined these up with two small dots that I made on the front of the caravan. Now when I reverse, all I have to do is to line up the marks and the ball fits under the hitch without the need for pulling or pushing.
Geoffrey Coxon, Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland

I didn’t want to drill holes to fit press studs to the side of my van for the wheel cover, or stick on velcro which gets unsightly after a few years. Instead, I bought three rubber suckers from my local caravan shop and stuck the press studs supplied with the awning to the rubber suckers with epoxy resin, making sure that the two surfaces have a good key using emery cloth. The rubber suckers don’t have to be taken off the wheel cover when it is not in use. Just fold it up and put it in the bag with the awning .The first time I used this I was away for 10 nights and it didn’t move at all. Why don’t manufacturers of awnings do something like this.
Via email

Are we the only couple finding the double bed tiresome to make up? Our single beds were also not the best comfort option until we hit upon an idea to make the beds wider. By pulling the seating forward and using the back cushion underneath the front to support it, all we needed was something to fill the gap at the back. We got a local firm that makes foam cushions to cut two pieces of foam the length, width and depth of the gap. Each bed is now 34 inches wide with plenty of room to walk between. This arrangement allows us to have a comfortable night’s sleep on more roomy single sized beds.
M & B Green, Leeds

To remove grease marks which you get on clothes from rubbing against the towball, use some Swarfega. (Most people who work on cars, and so on, will already have it for cleaning oily hands.) You just rub some into the stain, then wash the clothes in the machine in the usual way.
Jeanette Brown, Via email

The most useful bit of equipment I take on holiday with me has got to be brown parcel tape. Not only is it useful for packing up bits for your caravan, but as a dog owner, I find it really handy for removing dog hair from the upholstery. Best of all, I don’t have to do it myself – my kids love covering the cushions in the tape and enjoy the noise it makes as they rip it off. It also comes in handy for sticking on number plates or keeping wsonky doors shut. I never leave home without it.
Eric Roberts

WANTED: TOURING TIPS
Do you have a great idea for getting the most out of your van? Send it to Stacie Pardoe, Practical Caravan, Broom Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 9BE or to stacie.pardoe@haymarket.com.