| Before you leave | | | | brightly coloured armbands. When inflated they fit |
| 1.Save for space - Collect all free sample sachets of | | | | snugly over the protruding stakes and provide a |
| shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. These take up | | | | brightly coloured warning of danger and also a |
| far less space than large bottles and are perfect to | | | | cushioned impact for anyone who still manages to trip |
| take on holiday, leaving you more room for other | | | | over them. |
| essentials. | | | | 7.Slip and slide – Ever sat down to your morning |
| 2.Never forget – Make a laminated checklist of | | | | cereal and ended up with half of it in your lap because |
| everything that you need to take with you. This allows | | | | you're pitched on a slope? A cheap and easy way to |
| you to mark off items with a whiteboard pen when | | | | solve this problem is to buy a roll of non-slip matting |
| you have packed them into your caravan. You can | | | | (you can find it in most caravan shops for just a few |
| then rub off the pen when the list is complete and use | | | | pounds) and cut it into small squares to put under |
| the checklist again next year. | | | | plates, glasses and cups. Problem solved! |
| 3.Pack safely – When loading up your caravan | | | | Leaving the site & your journey home |
| make sure you put all heavy items directly over the | | | | 8.Stuck in the mud – If you are staying in a |
| axle. Placing heavy items at the back of the caravan | | | | particularly muddy site and your caravan has sunk into |
| could cause your van to pitch back and forth. Also, be | | | | the ground, try hitching up your car at a 45-degree |
| sure not to put any heavy items into cupboards – | | | | angle to the van. This means that when you pull off |
| store them on the floor to maintain control of your | | | | the car will not be pulling the full weight of the van from |
| caravan. | | | | the start – it will just be turning slightly so the car |
| 4.No flies on you – If you are sick of spending hours | | | | has more chance of getting a good initial grip. |
| picking the squashed flies from your caravan's front | | | | 9.Get hooked – If you ever need to reverse your |
| window, then give this tip a go. Before you set off, | | | | car to couple on your own, try this clever tip. Before |
| cover your front window with cling film (attached with | | | | you start, place a pole, such as one from a windbreak, |
| masking tape.) Then, when you arrive on site, simply | | | | vertically against the tow hook and then put a piece of |
| peel off the cling film along with all the creepy crawlies | | | | tape on your back window to indicate the central |
| you have picked up on the journey. | | | | position of the tow ball. Now all you need do is look in |
| On site | | | | your rear-view mirror while reversing and line up the |
| 5.Give it some welly – Wellington boots are vital on | | | | pole and the tape. |
| any wet weather holiday. A good tip for keeping them | | | | 10.Drive safe – An important tip for any journey - if |
| dry and ready to use is to store them on two sticks | | | | you are carrying a heavy load in your caravan you |
| stuck into the ground by the door to your van or | | | | should be aware that the time it takes to accelerate |
| awning. Cricket stumps work well for this, search | | | | and stop will change and need to be adapted to. |
| through your children's junk in the shed to track some | | | | Watch your speed carefully and leave ample room |
| down. | | | | between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you. |
| 6.Stamp out stubbing – To prevent people from | | | | So follow these top tips on your next caravan holiday |
| stubbing their toes on exposed metal stakes, such as | | | | and you will be sure of a great time. Happy holidays. |
| the ones used for awnings, purchase some cheap | | | | |