8 lessons learnt on a caravan

Well we did it! The two novices and a dog undertook our first trip with a caravan. It was only from Werribee to Daylesford for one night, but we did it!

But I am getting ahead of myself, so let’s go back to the beginning to set the scene.

I’d been keen to get a caravan for a number of years and we finally found one that suited our style and limited budget: a 1993, 5.4m-long Regal with tandem axel. We call him Roger, while the towing vehicle is a red Falcon wagon named Jessica. As this is our second childhood we needed appropriate names.

The van was parked at home for the first month after we picked it up, as we gradually worked out what we’d need – or what we thought we’d need, for a trip. We nearly got it right, but more on that later.

The big day arrived and we were packing the final items when – shock horror – we received our first lesson in caravanning: Flatulence in a confined space is not a good thing. Yep, it was me, but my partner in adventure didn’t appreciate it. She was soon threatening me with charcoal pills – that is, the closed bottle placed where the sun don’t shine.

Read more: How to tow a caravan safely

Lesson 1: Smells in caravans should be kept to pleasant ones only.

All packed up, we had to hook the van up by ourselves for the first time. I’d done it mentally many times, but as you do each step the brain – especially mine – tends to lose track. Some steps took us several attempts, but what an achievement. Chains on, stabilisers up, lights connected and working, door shut and locked… it was all ready to go. But one final walk around and there it was: I’d left the park brake on.

Lesson 2: Novice brains don’t process steps well when concentrating, so make a check list.

As we slowly pulled out of the driveway my little brain flashed a warning message from material read in days past. Test the brakes! I gave myself a mental pat on the back and pressed the brake pedals  all was good.

Lesson 3: Test brakes on leaving; they come in handy at the most awkward times.

The last time I had towed the van was from the dealer to home, when it was empty. This time it had water, clothes, food and other items, and seemed to feel different. Every time we hit a bump or pothole we were conscious the van was there, but after a while this apprehension tended to wane and all was well with the world.

Lesson 4: Get familiar with the way the van moves. If this movement stops when towing, you may have a problem.

Heading towards Ballarat there are some big hills you don’t notice when driving, but with a van on the back they look like sheer cliffs. Dropping speed, changing gears and sticking to the left soon becomes natural. Less than an hour in we stopped for a break – I am sure that if the dog could speak she would have thanked us. So this is it, and as the song goes, “Caravaners are we”.

Lesson 5: Slow down mentally, don’t overwork the towing vehicle and take regular breaks.

Like intrepid adventures we reached the lovely Jubilee Park in Daylesford. We booked in and paid, but now with apprehension in my heart I had to park the van on the site. After a couple of adjustments I realised this wasn’t as bad as my tiny brain thought it would be. My practice with trailers in years gone by helped.

Lesson 6: Practice reverse parking with a trailer or van to increase your confidence.

Unhooking the car and connecting services was the reverse of hooking up the van so it went reasonably well, but a check list would have helped.

Read more: Space-saving tips to make your caravan feel huge

Lesson 7: Add setting up to the check list.

We were all so proud of ourselves for getting there safely, not getting frustrated and setting up, that we decided to have a wine to celebrate.

Lesson 8: Pack a cork screw.

There was only one stuff-up when we reconnected the van. We reversed the car ball right under the caravan cup with the minimum number of attempts. Thinking we did a marvellous job, the hook up commenced, only to have our elation dashed when I realised I had left the plastic ball cover in place. So, back to Lesson 1.

We are back now and putting our well-learnt lessons into practice while planning our next trip.