Caravans are becoming an evermore popular buy for many families in the UK for the freedom they offer and the increased affordability of holidaying. Before you head to the dealership and buy the all singing, all dancing model however it may be worth considering used caravans as a more cost effective buy and in some respects a testing ground to ascertain whether the world of caravanning is really for you. There is however a wide variety of problems that can occur when buying used caravans; above all you need to take as much care with your purchase, as if you were buying a car or house.

Unfortunately some of the used caravans on the market today are of questionable quality. This is not normally the case at professional dealerships as they have standards to meet but private sellers can sell substandard used caravans. That is not to say that all private sellers are selling poor quality outfits, there are many out there who have loved and cared for their caravans and try to ensure its quality at the time of sale. Ultimately you must assess the seller to establish whether they are a caravanner that has cared for their outfit or simply someone trying to make a quick buck.

In addition, when looking at used caravans it is essential to check the maximum towing weight of the car you intend to tow the outfit with. Of prime importance is to tow safely and if your car is underpowered, you may have to reassess whether this is the right caravan for you. As well as the towing weight of your car you should check the tow bar of the used outfit carefully checking for any signs of rust or excessive wear. If the tow bar proves to be faulty it is advisable to walk away from the deal, the last thing you want is the outfit becoming detached while in transit.

Used caravans pose separate problems to new ones, of ultimate importance is to recognise any structural problems that may become apparent in years to come. When checking you should ensure that the caravan’s walls are glued together and not just stapled, the glue will help to keep the outfit watertight. As well as the walls it is advisable to check the fixtures and fittings like the cupboard and sink for structural stability and decent levels of support.

Most important when looking at used caravans is to check how well the outfit is sealed. Excessive moisture inside the caravan can be considered a death knell for an outfit leading to damp, rot and eventual structural instability. As part of your checks you must ensure that the sealing around the edges and corners is effective, you can do this by squeezing the panelling at sealed points to assess the adherence to both adjoining surfaces. As well as the walls it is fundamental that you check the sealant around the window frames, doors and the seals between the floor and walls. If you happen to find any water inside the outfit it is advisable to walk away, not only can damp be expensive to remedy but can also lead to the complete destruction of the caravan.

Finally it is important to check the chassis of any used caravans you may look at. Most caravanners will tell you that slipper springs are worth avoiding and instead you should look for shackle type fixings with shock absorbers. In addition it is also worth checking the tyres for wear, they fall under tread regulations and excessively bald tyres may be an added expense, although you may be able to receive a discount from the seller.

By following this advice you should be able to avoid the poor quality used caravans out there, finding yourself and outfit that will provide you with years of pleasure and enjoyment. Remember that purchase is not the final step; you must undertake regular maintenance to prolong its life. The perfect caravan is out there, by using these tips you should be able to find it.

Travel expert Thomas Pretty looks into what checks must be made when looking at used caravans. To find out more please visit http://www.homesteadcaravans.co.uk/

Motorhomes grant the freedom of the open road without having to tow a caravan behind you. Meaning your holidays are that more enjoyable and efficient as you have a means of travel and a place to rest your head. Whether you are choosing to purchase motorhomes or are planning to hire one for a holiday, it is advisable to read on.

Generally motorhomes can be divided into three distinctive categories. Those in the industry refer to these as Classes A, B and C. Class A as their name may suggest are the largest and most opulent of the motorhomes on the market today. Correspondingly Classes B and C relate to size and the amenities contained within the home. While C class are the smallest of the motorhomes available, generally they are the cheapest.

Class A motorhomes are often the homes capable of full time living, whether hiring or buying it must be remembered that these types of motorhomes will enable you to live in them for extended periods comfortably. If you have a large family it is strongly advised that a Class A motor home should be utilised for your holidays. While you may be slightly apprehensive of driving one of these leviathans of the road it is surprising how easy modern motorhomes are to drive. In addition to this ease of driving, Class A’s are extremely comfortable, strangely, at times you will feel like you are driving a sofa rather than a large RV.

When you are looking at motorhomes for purchase it is advisable to make the decision only after careful deliberation. In many cases it may even be worth finding a company that rents motorhomes and hiring a similar model to gain an understanding of what it is like to live in the space and drive around for a period of time. By doing this you can receive a better idea of how to use your home from home and also how it will serve the holiday needs of you and your family.

With the high prices of hotels, motorhomes are becoming an evermore appealing option for those who travel regularly. By keeping your bills down while travelling, having a home on wheels can give you more time and money to sped visiting attractions and simply enjoying yourself. With a wealth of campsites all over the world a motor home will grant you freedom of movement and normally an outstanding setting for your stay. Also, by removing the stresses of finding accommodation while travelling, you can make your trips that much more relaxing and enjoyable, meaning you can make the most of your holiday time.

With a fully kitted out kitchen, making sure you have provisions is essential. While many may not want to cook for themselves while on holiday it is enjoyable to have a space that at least gives you the option of cooking for yourself; once again, this will save you money as you will not have to eat out all of the time, making your holidays more cost effective. If you are a fan of al fresco cooking, all you need to do is take a barbeque with you and you have the option of pulling up at the side of the road, firing up the coals and cooking in a wondrous setting whilst enjoying a bottle of wine.

The freedom granted by motorhomes is clearly the most powerful lure for many. Travelling under your own steam and in your own vehicle allows you to get off the usual tourist routes and to construct a holiday that is as unique as it is enjoyable. While the initial outlay may be great, the value of motorhomes is hard to quantify. Naturally you will save money on eating out and accommodation but you will also have better, more fun and free holidays.

Travel expert Thomas Pretty looks into the different types of motorhomes and how they can help you have funner, freer holidays. To find out more please visit http://www.amberleisure.com/

No matter what you are planning on doing, there is probably a solar system available to help you generate power. On increasingly popular choice is RV solar panels, which can help you run these large vehicles off the power of the sun. If you are interested in helping to save money as well as help the environment, you should research your options for what kind of RV solar panels are available.

RV solar panels are a component of an electrical system which converts light from the sun to electricity. This electricity is used to charge the RV batteries and are capable of running all the basics in your RV, including the lighting and appliances. On great advantage of using RV solar panels is that you can travel to a wider variety of locations. No longer will you have to worry about finding a source of power for your vehicles when you travel. As long as the sun is shining, you will be taking your power with you.

Thousands of companies in countries around the world now offer different RV solar panels for your convenience. When you decide to make the purchase, spend time researching which options are available to you so you can buy the best system and the lowest possible price.

Silicon Solar

Silicon Solar have a wide range of RV solar panel kits and can cater with providing anything from a single 15W amorphous solar panel up to the top of the range RVMaxx 330W RV Solar Power Kit. This can provide enough power to run most of your small appliances.

Alpine Survival

Alpine Survival is one of the top choices for people looking to purchase RV solar panels. The RV solar panels that they sell are durable, lightweight, and easy to transport. One of the benefits of these and other top of the line solar panels is that they continue to generate electricity even if they are in partial shade.

Even the clumsy need not worry about the durability of Alpine Survival RV solar panels. You can pack them up and transport them without worrying about breaking them. They are so durable that it has been reported that dropping them and stepping on them still does not cause them to be ruined (although I would not recommend trying)! These RV solar panels have a unique design with lightweight construction and a nylon fabric covering which allows the entire unit to be folded into the size of a book. This makes them perfect to store and transport.

Mr. Solar

Another brand to consider when purchasing RV solar panels is Mr. Solar. They sell many of the most high efficiency brand names and kits, including such reliable names as Sharp, Sanyo, Photowatt, Mitsubishi, BP, GE, and more. This selection of RV solar panels and kits will ensure that you can find the exact one you want for your RV.

If you love to travel, RV solar panels are the perfect option. Your trips will be more convenient because you will no longer have to base your destination on where you can find a power source. Not only that, but you will save money by reducing your use of a traditional gas generator. With rising fuel prices, RV solar panels make practical sense for any traveler.

Jon Kelly is a published author who writes articles and reviews on solar power and its applications. If you would like to find out about solar power and learn more about solar panels. Please visit: http://www.worldsolarpanels.com

For those new to the world of caravanning used caravans are often the best choices as the initial outlay will be less and if you do change your mind depreciation will not be a large factor. Dealers are probably the best place to start when looking for used caravans, do not expect to find pristine models however, many dealerships do not in fact have clean models, the majority of maintenance work does not begin until a sale has been made. You can however spot a good used caravan from a bad one at this stage, here are some helpful pointers.

So starting with ways to find quality used caravans.

First and foremost you need to see whether the used caravan has a full service history, much like buying a car, having a record of work undertaken on the caravan can be extremely useful. In addition, it is also important for all used caravans to have full documentation such as the handbook and literature associated with any of the equipment.

While used caravans are rarely kept in a pristine condition, it is still possible to take a detailed look around all of the nooks and crannies to look for dirt and possible instances of damp and mould. It is also advisable to judge the seller, if going private this is especially important as a keen caravanner will be able to sell you a ‘van that they can recommend personally. The same can be said for dealers, if they have a good idea of how a ‘van performs on a trip, this can be useful knowledge.

Speak to your friends and others with experience of caravans. They may be able to recommend a specific dealer or even give you information on the best model or layout for your needs. As well as personal recommendation read some magazines articles on which models are best. It is worth remembering however that the majority of ‘van reviews occur when the model is new and for only a short period of time, they will rarely give information on how a ‘van performs after a number of years.

Test everything when you are looking at used caravans, this includes doors and locks, the cupboards and even the toilet. Some of these things can be expensive to replace so knowing if they work before you buy can be extremely useful. Ultimately you want to find caravans that have been used well but not so much so that they seem neglected. A well used caravan may have some useful additions and shows that it has been loved and cared for; go on your first impressions and should not go far wrong.

In terms of spotting bad caravans;

Use you nose. If the ‘van smells musty or damp it is probably worth being wary, do not confuse damp with smells from the waste water system, this can be easily remedied if cleaning fluids are used. If there is no warranty from the dealer you should find out why, and most probably walk away. Check carefully for exterior cracks and damage that may indicate that the caravan has not been well cared for. Replacements parts and repair work can be extremely expensive so bear in mind any costs that may be encountered after purchase. Also check the chassis for warping and damage and whether any work has been undertaken that looks bodged. Fixing the work of a DIY happy caravanner can be extremely time consuming and costly.

If you follow this advice it should be possible to find many used caravans that meet your requirements. Before you know it you could be enjoying touring holidays and great times in your new home from home.

Travel expert Thomas Pretty looks into what factors to consider when looking at used caravans for a caravan holiday. To find out more please visit http://www.amberleisure.com/

Imagine this scene: you and your family are out enjoying your brand new travel trailer. Not only is your trailer new, but so is your shiny new towing vehicle. Let’s say that’s a heavy duty diesel pickup truck, and it’s an extended, four-door cab that has plenty of room for your wife and your kids.

This really a big part of the traditional American Dream isn’t it? Quality family time with a recreational vehicle, getting away from civilization, but doing it in the comfort of a brand new travel trailer. I don’t think it could get much better.

There’s only one problem. It’s a windy day. When you were picking up your new travel trailer at the dealership the other day it never occurred to you just how scary it could be to tow your nice long trailer down the highway in a serious cross wind.

Dealing with the wind is a fact of life if you’re going to be any kind of RV enthusiast, so make sure you understand how to tow safely in it.

It really all comes down to the length of your trailer relative to the length of the vehicle you’re using to tow it with. Think of it this way – it’s all about leverage. If your trailer is long relative to the wheelbase of the vehicle you’re using to tow the trailer, you could be in for an interesting vacation.

A travel trailer has a broad profile in the wind, so if mother nature is blowing hard, or if you’re getting passed by tractor trailers at high speeds, your trailer basically acts as a sail. It’s not unlike carrying a piece of four foot by eight foot plywood.

If you’ve ever had that experience you know what I’m talking about. The plywood acts like a sail and it can drag you all over the place if you don’t know how to handle it.

The same way it takes strength to handle that plywood in the wind, it takes a long wheelbase on your tow vehicle to handle the tug of a relatively long travel trailer. If you’ve got a twenty-three foot boxy trailer and you’re pulling it with a small SUV, chances are you’re going to get jerked around quite a bit.

But, that same small SUV would have no problem at all with a small folding tent trailer. It’s all relative.

As a general guideline I’d suggest that you could pull a trailer approximately twenty feet long as long as your vehicle has a wheelbase of at least 110 inches. So that’s about nine feet of wheelbase to handle twenty feet of trailer.

If you want to get a longer trailer, I’d recommend that you have at least four inches of wheelbase for each additional foot of trailer length. That way you’re always making sure to keep the ratio of trailer length to wheelbase high enough.

One last thought is you should not only consider the total length of the trailer, but also the distance from the coupler (or tongue) to the axle of the trailer. There will be a big difference in stability for a trailer where that coupler to tongue distance is really short, compared to one where it’s really long.

Jeremy helps people to learn about hitch covers. You can read more of his work by visiting: http://www.trailerhitchuniverse.com.

Once you have been to the caravan dealership and found your ideal caravan there are certain tips that can make your caravan holidays that more enjoyable. Studying the forecourt of the dealership can be an arduous affair, deciding on the size and type of caravan you want as well as taking into account the towing power of your car. The dealership will naturally want to sell you their best models but remember to keep the choice yours and only come away with an outfit that suits your purposes. For travellers, here is a list of helpful hints that can make your caravan trip easier.

Experienced caravaners and even advisors at the dealership will most probably advise you to make a list of the fundamentals that you will need on your trip and to laminate it. This way, before you embark on any caravan holiday you have a list that you can check against before you leave, as it is laminated, all you have to do before your next trip is to wipe it clean and start again.

Towing, as most dealership professionals will tell you is one of your most important concerns on any caravan holiday. Part of this is to ensure your wing mirror extensions are securely attached. A handy hint is to strap the extensions on diagonally as this makes them fit far more snugly.

The caravan dealership should make you acutely aware of the security issues surrounding owning a caravan. Naturally you will need to keep your outfit locked up when you are not using it but an added piece of advice is to keep the handbook and instructions with you rather than in the caravan, this way the thieves will have a harder job re-selling your caravan after they have stolen it. A helpful hint for travellers is to keep a disposable camera in your car just in case an accident occurs, this way you can take an immediate record of the accident in case there are any insurance issues.

Storing your caravan during the winter can be fraught with problems; it is hardly an option to head down to the dealership every year to buy a new one and hence maintaining your caravan is essential. One way to keep your fridge in good condition is to keep the packets of silica gel that come with new shoes. By placing these in the fridge when it is not in use, smells and mould will be kept to a minimum. Not only will this prolong the life of your fridge but also make cleaning your caravan easier. An addition to this is to ensure all of the water in your caravan is drained over the winter, the damage caused by frost and freezing can be catastrophic.

Flies are a constant gripe of the caravanner; it is often the case that after a long journey the front window of your caravan is covered with dead flies. Many will endure the constant scraping and cleaning every time you head out on a journey but there is an easier way. By fixing cling film over the front window all you will have to do on arrival is to remove the cling film and hey presto, the window will be clean. Another cleaning tip is for those who want to remove the dealership stickers, rather than scrubbing with water, applying a small amount of petrol or lighter fluid the stickers will make the stickers come off easily.

Hopefully these tips have helped the caravanner make their ownership more enjoyable. Ultimately they make life easier and should prolong the life of your outfit, after all, a caravan is a large investment and securing this investment is important. If you want years of enjoyment and brilliant holidays, these tips should help you.

Travel expert Thomas Pretty looks into ways that your choice of caravan dealership can mean extra hints and tips for your holidays. To find out more please visit http://www.homesteadcaravans.co.uk/