Spring Clean your Caravan Ready for the Off!

As we start to enjoy longer days and the weather is getting warmer, camping season is almost upon us again. More than two million Brits will be taking caravanning holidays this year, boosting the UK’s £9.3 billion campsite and holiday park industry.

The economic crisis is changing people’s holiday habits, with more than one-fifth of Brits saying they’re ditching plans for a foreign holiday this year in favour of exploring the UK’s wonderful scenery: and why ever not?

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Why do Brits love caravan holidays?

Figures published in January 2023, based on a survey of 2,000 adults, reveal domestic holidays are set for a boom. According to the Great Britain Tourism Survey, the average duration of a domestic holiday is three nights. People are taking more frequent, short trips rather than saving for one big holiday blowout in the summer – good news for caravan park and campsite owners, as it’s easy for tourists to pack everything into their caravan or campervan and simply hit the road.

The average caravan owner takes eight trips in a year, according to a poll by Censuswide. This includes weekend breaks and longer holidays. Brits without a caravan take an average of four holidays a year.

Around 70% of caravan owners say they like the fact they can take their dog on holiday. The other main reasons why people love their caravan/motorhome is the freedom it gives them, as well as spending time in pleasant locations in the fresh air.

What do you need to prepare for in advance?

Before the main holiday season kicks in at Easter, it’s time to get prepared in advance by carrying out some simple jobs. The first thing you should do is book your caravan or motorhome in for a service. As well as completing general maintenance checks, it will highlight any issues that might get worse if not dealt with. It will also give you peace of mind before your first outing of the year.

Among the main things that need to be checked are the lights. Make sure you carry a set of spare bulbs. Also check the tow hitch and grease its overrun mechanism and the handbrake’s assembly mechanism.

Check the sockets for any signs of corrosion and make sure the tyres aren’t cracking or otherwise damaged. Ensure they’re at the correct tyre pressure if the caravan hasn’t been used all winter.

How to spring clean your caravan

Start spring cleaning your caravan, starting with the exterior. You will need a non-abrasive vehicle or caravan shampoo, a bucket of hot water, a large sponge, a long-handled brush, a step ladder to reach the roof and a small soft-bristle brush to clean those snug hard-to-reach places. You could also use specialist polish to provide a protective coating and enhance the shine. Finally, you can use a domestic window-cleaning kit and soft cloth to get the caravan windows squeaky clean.

When it comes to the interior, test your battery using a voltmeter or a digital multimeter to ascertain the state of the charge. Weigh your gas bottle to ensure you have enough to last. Flush the water system and clean it out with a purpose-made steriliser. Do not use ordinary domestic bleach in your caravan’s water system.

Test the grill, hob and oven to make sure the flame is a steady blue. You can arrange for the cooker to be tested during your caravan’s full service if you have any concerns. Similarly, you can ask for the fridge to be tested as part of the service, especially if it’s running on gas and you have concerns about the flame. Check your interior lights for bulbs that have blown.

Clean the your toilet thoroughly with a toilet bowl cleaning product.

Re-stocking essential equipment

Re-stock essential items such as kitchen equipment if yours is looking worse for wear. You can upgrade items, such as camping furniture, for the new season for a more enjoyable holiday experience.

Ensure you are prepared for all weathers by making sure your coolers and heaters are in good working order.

Don’t leave anything to chance; make sure your caravan is ready for the off as soon as the sun shines – you don’t want to miss out on any fun!