Travelling with a caravan - how to prepare?

The first trip with a caravan involves a lot of questions and doubts in your mind. Especially if we want to travel the world wild with our mobile home. We ourselves considered many technical and practical issues before buying a trailer, so we want to leave you with a collection of the most important points to look out for in one place both before your first trip and before subsequent trips after the caravan has been sitting unused. These are all tips based on our experience that will help save you time and make you calmer on the road 🙂 .

The question of choosing a towbar

If you are yet to purchase a trailer the key first consideration is choosing the right towbar for your vehicle. When choosing the right towbar, there are several important factors to consider.

The first step is specify the class of towbar that corresponds to the car specification. There are different classes of hitch, each with a specific maximum towing weight. Make sure the class of hitch is strong enough to safely carry the weight of your trailer along with the load. 

Another important aspect is the type of towbar. Depending on the car model You can choose a fixed, semi-automatic or removable hook. A fixed hitch is always attached to the vehicle and is the most permanent solution, but can limit the manoeuvrability of the vehicle on a daily basis. A semi-automatic and detachable hook allows you to easily disconnect and reconnect the hook as required, which is particularly useful if you rarely use your trailer.

Another factor to consider is the type of electrical socket in the towbar. Modern trailers are usually fitted with a 13-pin socket, which provides more functions, including power for additional equipment. If your car has a standard 7-pin socket, you may need to fit an adaptor to make your trailer work properly.

We use a WESTFALIA hook ourselves, which has a maximum towing capacity of up to 2,000 kg and a vertical ball pressure of 132 kg, relatively more than other hooks. 

Permissible trailer weight and driving privileges

Before setting off on a journey with a caravan, a key step is to check the total weight of the vehicle, both car and trailer. Bear in mind that not every car can pull a particular trailer, so it is advisable to check this information before buying a trailer. The vehicle registration certificate will include information on the maximum load and weight limits of the trailer. This is the so-called DMC, which is the total weight of the vehicle in kg. 

Where can we find the data we are interested in on the registration certificate?

F.1 - maximum gross vehicle weight (DMC) in kg

Q.1 - maximum total weight of trailer DMC with brake (kg)

Q.2 - maximum total weight of the unbraked trailer (kg)

F.3 - GVW of the vehicle combination

According to the regulations, exceeding the permitted weight of a trailer can not only be dangerous, but can also result in fines.

To correctly calculate the total weight, simply add up the GVW (permissible maximum total weight) of the trailer with the GVW of the car. 

Unfortunately, we know from experience and from the stories of other caravan travellers that The weight of a trailer stated on its registration certificate very rarely corresponds to reality. We have read stories of people who have weighed their trailers after taking everything out and even a completely empty trailer weighs more than in the documents. This is probably due to the fact that the registration certificate records a trailer without furniture, and that after several years of use, the trailer absorbs moisture, which adds to its weight. We have solar panels, an extra battery and other accessories in our trailer, which is designed for wild camping and therefore exceeds the weight stated in the registration certificate by as much as 400 kg. Therefore, the most important thing we take into account is the information from the car's registration certificate - how much it can tow, and also that the whole set should not exceed 3.5 tonnes due to our entitlement. 

As the actual weight of the trailer may differ from that stated in the documents, it is advisable to use a vehicle scale before setting off. You can do this at scrap metal yards or vehicle inspection stations that provide such scales. We use the former. 

Another aspect is to check whether the trailer being carried requires additional authorisations. If the total weight of the trailer exceeds 3.5 tonnes, other authorisations may be required, as well as additional road tolls.  

Types of entitlement

• Category B - the sum of the maximum permissible weights of both vehicles must not exceed 3.5 tonnes
• Category B + Code 96 - This entitlement gives us the possibility to increase the GVW of a vehicle combination to 4250 kg after passing an additional practical test for driving with a trailer, without the need for an additional course. However, remember that the trailer must not be heavier than the car
• Category B+E gives us the possibility to drive a combination of a car with a GVW of 3.5 t and a trailer also of 3.5 t, or a car of 3500 kg and a trailer of 2625 kg after taking a special course and passing an exam
• If we have light trailer up to 750 kg, we don't have to do any calculations, we can pull it with a van and the weight of the whole set can be up to 4,250 kg without any additional authorisations

Maintaining the correct trailer weight is extremely important for road safety. Exceeding the permitted weight can lead to manoeuvring difficulties, increased braking distances and even affect the stability of the vehicle. 

Cleaning of pipes and water tank

Twice a year or before any long journey, it is very important to clean the water tank and drain pipes to keep the water fresh and to avoid the build-up of bacteria and micro-organisms, as well as an unpleasant smell. It is best to use liquids or tablets that are available in the shops. We use organic tablets to clean the water tank Clean my water tankwhich you can get in Swedish JULA shops.

Checking the operation of the mover

If your trailer is equipped with a mover, it is worth testing its operation before you leave. It's a useful device, especially when you're going somewhere wild, or even camping, where there's often little room for manoeuvring. The mover gives us the mental comfort that whenever we drive into a narrow road, we will have the option to turn around. 

When inspecting the mover, it is worth noting the condition of the engine and the battery. Make sure the engine makes no disturbing noises and runs smoothly. The battery should be charged in order to be able to use the mover freely while travelling.

It is also worth testing the operation of remote controls that allow remote control of the unit. Check that all buttons are working correctly and that there are no signal problems between the remote control and the mover. Our mover sometimes jams, in which case a complete reset and restart of the device helps. 

Checking lights, condition of tyres and appropriate adaptor

Before every journey it is a good idea to carefully check the operation of all lights, such as position lights, brake lights, turn signals and headlights. Make sure the bulbs are in working order and the housings are not damaged.

It is also worth preparing a suitable adaptor if the trailer has a different electrical socket to the car. It is common to find trailers with a 13-pin socket, while some cars are equipped with a 7-pin socket. English trailers like ours have a double 2×7 pin socket and the car has a 13 pin socket, so we had to buy a special double 13 pin to 2 times 7 pin adapter. 

In addition to lights, tyres are very important - before leaving, we also make sure that the tyres are in good condition and have no visible damage, such as cracks or tears. Try to avoid outdated tyres, which can be prone to damage or breakdown during longer journeys and higher temperatures in warm countries. In addition, check the tyre pressure of your car and trailer. We always carry a spare tyre for the car and trailer on the trip, as well as a spare trailer access wheel. We take the access wheel (the small wheel on the front of the trailer) off for the ride. On our first trip we travelled with this wheel and it broke on a speed bump in France. Since then we have taken it off and in addition we have one emergency wheel with us. 

Leakage check of the gas installation

A very important issue in terms of safety is to check the gas installation for leaks. In some countries, the relevant document from a certified service centre is required to stop at a campsite, for example, It is therefore a good idea to check this information before leaving for a particular country. As well as checking for leaks, be sure to get a decent gas sensor to alert you if something is wrong. Turn off your appliances for the duration of your trip and turn off your gas cylinders. Some people turn off their gas-operated fridge overnight for safety. If it's not too hot and we don't have anything in the freezer you can do this to be calmer.

Speeding with a caravan and other regulations

There's no denying it - travelling with a caravan definitely belongs to slowlife 🙂 It has its advantages and disadvantages. The journey is longer, but very enjoyable and you can explore your surroundings along the way. The caravan is driven slowly on the one hand for the safety of such a heavy rig and on the other hand for the restrictions in the road regulations. When travelling with a caravan, it is important to comply with motorway speed regulations. In most countries, the speed at which you can travel with a caravan on the motorway is 80km/h, and with the appropriate homologation 100km/h. It is advisable to plan your route in advance and check the restrictions in your country. 

It is worth noting that if your kit has a total length of more than 12 m, you will need an extra plate for the rear of the trailer, and if the trailer is wider than the car, additional mirrors will be necessary. Such mirrors are also very helpful for manoeuvring.

We pack with our heads

The first most important rule when packing - we put the heaviest stuff in the car. It is easy to explain - a heavier tractor will make it easier for us to drive our kit. It is worth noting here that, despite appearances, there is a lot of space in the trailer, so it is easy to repack. The second important point is to distribute the luggage evenly, which will prevent the trailer from snaking and putting too much pressure on the hook. If we need to carry something heavy in the trailer let's give it to the very rear to relieve the load on the hook. 

Going wild - how do you get started?

First of all - go 🙂 For one night, for one weekend, even 20 - 30 km from home. Before you start gathering all the equipment - you need to find out if this form of travel suits you at all, However, do you prefer the comforts of camping and do not feel comfortable and safe in the wilderness. 

If you feel that this kind of travel is something that plays in your soul, it's time to properly stock and adapt your caravan to make it fully independent. 

Solar energy in the caravan 

The first and one of the most important elements is current - especially when, as in our case, we combine travel with remote working. 

On our first trip to Spain we were equipped with:

• 1 solar 160W polycrystalline
• 1 AGM 100Ah battery 
• 1 Tracer 2210AN MPPT controller
• AZO IPS-2000S 12V/230V Inverter

Such a set-up allowed us to survive at most times, but when there was no sunshine for a few days, we had to support ourselves with external power sources or go camping, and on a daily basis we had to be very much in control of our consumption and conserve. It was stressful at times, so we made changes before our next trip.

We added:

• Second Solar 190W larger and more professional
• Second 100Ah AGM battery

In addition, we replaced the voltage regulator from Tracer with a Victron MPPT 100/30. We chose Victron because of its smaller size and reputation. At the moment it is the most professional equipment, and we have the Victron Connect app, which connects via bluetooth to the regulator. This allows us to monitor the charging and consumption history in real time on our phone. 

Such a set is quietly sufficient for all our current needs, and with a second battery we have power for 2-3 days in case of bad weather. 

It is worth knowing that polycrystalline solar panels work better for travel to countries with lots of sunshine and higher temperatures such as Spain, and monocrystalline for places with lots of cloud cover. 

The inverter is sufficient for us - we can use the appliance up to 900 watts, but if you want to take your coffee machine or Thermomix, for example, with you on the road it is worth thinking about a more powerful inverter. 

We have also installed 12V sockets from which we can charge phones directly.

From additional gadgets we have a small indicator - energy and voltage measurement monitor, Thanks to this, we know how much our appliances are consuming at any given time. This allows us to verify current demand and consumption and to analyse how much electricity each bulb and appliance is consuming, which the Victron app does not show us. 

Second step to independence - water

We have electricity - time for water 🙂 In the trailer we have an 80 litre water tank and an additional small 10 litre tank in which we prepare drinking water using special water treatment tablets. In addition, we carry two 20-litre canisters of water in the car so that we can bring water from the city or another source when we are standing on a site for several days. When we fill up the trailer with water and additionally have emergency water tanks in the car, with two people and two dogs such a set lasts us 5-6 days. We are currently considering a second tank, which we will combine together with the current one. 

Gas - heat source

We have a gas system in the caravan for heating the caravan, cooking and heating water for bathing. Before our first trip, we opted for a modern GasBank gas cylinder. It is a composite cylinder that is 40% lighter than other gas cylinders, and has a special valve so that we can 'fill up the trailer' directly at any LPG station in Europe just like a car. The valve is safe and cuts off refuelling when the amount of gas reaches 80% of the cylinder contents. We chose an 11kg cylinder which holds 19 litres of gas. Such a cylinder, when we have to heat the caravan every day, is sufficient for 2 weeks, and up to a month when just cooking and heating water for bathing. Before the next trip, we also plan to buy a second cylinder. The gasbanks can be combined with each other so that they work as one big one. A second cylinder will come in handy due to the low availability of LPG cylinders in some countries in Europe or, for example, when you go for a month or two to a country where it is not possible to fill up with gas at all, such as Morocco.

Preparing for difficult terrain

If you're going to be driving into really wild places - as we did - it's worth equipping yourself with gear that will keep you from getting stuck on difficult terrain or in rainy weather. Ideally, if you are towing a trailer with a 4×4 vehicle, however, if you do not have this option it is good to have one with you:

• shovel
• off-road sand traps with a strength of 10 tonnes
• some rubber wipers to put under the wheels on slippery ground
• a winch - ours is the Dragon Winch DWP 5000 - at the time of purchase it was the most powerful 12V manual winch with a towing capacity of up to 2265 kg

Such a kit should help you in a more difficult situation - But rest assured, even though we drive the caravan into very wild places (even beaches) without a 4×4 car our emergency equipment has not yet been in use once. The most important thing is to ride carefully, with your head, analyse the sites well and check the terrain and manoeuvring possibilities thoroughly before entering a place. In most places we use levelling wedges, so that we can position ourselves even on sloping terrain. 

All done? Time to hit the road for adventures

We hope our tips will help you prepare well for your dream expedition. At first glance, the list may seem long, but with subsequent expeditions and gathering the right equipment, everything goes more smoothly. It is all a matter of experience. It is advisable to prepare well before departure, which will save you stress on the trip and avoid unpleasant surprises. Separately, we would like to touch on the safety and security features we use in the caravan when travelling wild. This is an extensive topic for a separate article, which we will link to you here. In the meantime, we wish you successful preparations 🙂 .