Congratulations! If you’re reading this, you’ve most likely bought your new caravan and looking to start your big trip. You’re excited and maybe a little nervous but there’s no need to worry, we’ve got you sorted on everything you need to know for all the sunny adventures ahead.
Essentials List
The following list of items are a budget friendly you should always have in your caravan and not take out.
- Water bottles – Even though every Grand Caravan comes standard with a water filter, you should always carry a pack of recycled plastic water bottles in case you run out of drinkable water
- First Aid Kit – Safety must be at the forefront of your mind at all times. First aid kits come with all kinds of inclusions so talk to an expert before buying.
- Rachet Straps – If you have a wood box or if you are storing anything on your A-frame mesh deck, then you will need to tie down your load with a tarp. You can also use bungee cords for this.
- Batteries (AAA, AA, 9v) – It can always be a pain when batteries run out on one of your remotes and it can be annoying to run to the shops just for batteries. It is also good to be able to change your smoke alarm batteries as soon as they are low.
- Caravan Starter Kit – Starter kits have all the basic items you need to get started, it comes in handy
- Electrical Tape or Duct Tape – We don’t need to explain this one, you’ll probably find you’ll need to jerry-rig something on the road
- Cable Ties – Cable ties have a multitude of uses and it’s always handy to have some on hand especially for the wire looms at your A-frame
Recommended Items
Here at Grand Caravans we recommend taking the following items onboard with you for your big trip.
- Caravan Jack – Always provided with a Grand Caravan, a jack should always be item in your caravan and we do not recommend taking it out
- Toolkit – Having a toolkit is always handy, my go to is the Stanley 132 Piece tool kit
- 12v Clamp/Voltmeter – You’ll never know when you’d need to perform an electrical diagnosis, a voltage meter is always handy to confirm your batteries are flat
- 12v Power Tools – A impact driver and drill is a handy combo if you want to fit an accessory onto your caravan while you’re travelling
- 12v Air Compressor – You can’t always be relying on a gas station for air to fill up your tyres, having an air compressor on board means you can will check your tyre pressure whenever you are on road
- UHF Radio – Having a UHF radio means you can communicate with other drivers in your group and you can be notified by other road uses about the road conditions ahead
Useful Spares
The following list of items are not necessary but are useful to have when you’re on the road, it is good to have an idea of issues that could arise so that you can be prepared before taking action.
- Jockey Wheel – Jockey wheels can sometimes seize up and fail. This can be troublesome when you’re trying to hook up or unhitching. Keep a spare handy will always give you peace of mind.
- Electronic Stability Control status indicator light – This indicator has a low chance of fail due to normal wear and tear, although this light is easily covered under warranty and one can be express posted to you for fitment, you can buy a spare and keep one on you.
- 12pin Plug & Socket – If the plug is used incorrectly, the wires from the 12 pin plug can loosen and this can increase resistance between the wires and plug. Increased resistance can lead to areas of your plug and socket melting. Having a spare of each plug (from your caravan) and socket (from your car) will ensure you can can get this changed over quickly and you won’t have to pay exorbitant prices on the road. Always remember to pull your 12pin plug from the plug rather than from the wire as this is the cause of pin melts on your plug and socket. Changeover of a plug or socket must be performed by an certified auto-electrician.
We hope this guide has taught you a little about what we recommend for you to have for your first trip ahead. So now its time to spread your wings and enjoy the open road ahead.
