Q and A

Use this page to post questions and queries about anything relating to caravans, whether it is about information contained on this blog or questions about your caravan. I will get around to answering as many as I can and each question will receive a detailed response.

For now, here are some frequently asked questions:

Q: Whilst towing, my caravan is very unstable. What can I do to improve this?

A: There are a number of things you can do. Firstly, check how the caravan is loaded. Heavy items should be located near the axle with lighter items distributed evenly - see the Towing Code page. Also, check that the caravan tyres are up to the correct pressure and the wheel nuts are tightened accordingly. Also check the tow car's rear tyres. Tyres with weak sidewalls are not suitable for towing and will encourage instability. Change low quality rear tyres for better ones. Finally, check your stability device to ensure is is in working condition. If you don't have one, consider investing in a stabiliser bar or stabiliser hitch. 

Q: When I draw water from the taps in the caravan, it is discoloured and contains black bits in it. What is happening?

A: The water pipes and system need a clean. Purchase a water system purifying solution and use accordingly. The black bits come from a filter within the water system. When filters aren't replaced, they sometimes break, allowing the tiny bits of charcoal to escape and come out of the taps. Replace the filter and flush the system through. 

Q: When I connect the caravan to the car, some of the roadlights don't work on the caravan. How can I solve this?

A: Start by checking the 12N socket (black). Check all the pins that they are free from corrosion. Give them a light sanding with a mild grade of sandpaper and clean out the tubes with pipe cleaners. If this doesn't solve it, then the chances are a bulb has blown. Open up the light casing on the caravan and check the bulbs to see if they are working or not. Failing this, it is likely that a fuse for the lights has blown inside the caravan. Locate the fusebox and change the broken fuse. 

Q: What can I do to prevent my leisure battery discharging when the caravan is not in use?

A: There is a chance that all 12v systems have a slight draw of power. Check that everything in the caravan is switched off and the circuit breaker activated (switched in the off position). You can disconnect the battery and store it at room temperature at home when the caravan is not in use. If you leave the battery in the caravan over long periods of time, try charging it once every few weeks to keep the battery topped up. Once if discharges fully it will never regain a full charge. 

Q: Is it compulsory to insure your caravan to take it on the road?
A: No, it is not a legal requirement to insure your caravan to take it on the road, but it is common sense to insure your caravan. You'll benefit from peace of mind and can claim on your insurance to replace defective parts on your caravan. Insurance policies for caravans are much cheaper than cars, especially for vintage caravans. The Caravan Club have offered caravan insurance since the 1950's and offer some of the best caravan insurance around. See the Credits page for links. 

Q: I've heard something about an 85% rule for towing a caravan. What is this?

A: The 85% rule is a very sensible rule designed to match cars and caravans. You work out 85% of the cars maximum kerbweight and this is the maximum weight which you can tow. It is not a legal requirement, but is sensible for car and caravan matching. If you are confident at towing, then is is manageable to tow up to 100% of the car's weight, but you should never exceed the kerbweight of the car. The 85% rule has been used for nearly 50 years now and is proven to match cars and caravans well. Here is a worked example:

Car's Kerbweight: 1000kgs -> 85% = 850kgs. 850kgs is the figure you would use for this particular example for finding a caravan. 

Q: I've noticed the sealant on my caravan has started to fall out in patches and want to reseal it. How can I go about this? 
A: Firstly, you need to determine where your caravan needs resealing. Ideally, on every joint there should be sealant. This includes the two awning rails, the front panel and back panel and any side trims that hide joints. You should also find it around any roof fittings on your caravan (rooflights etc) and caravans with a 'boated' or 'lantern' roof will have extra areas on the roof to reseal. General household sealant MUST NOT be used as it is not designed for outdoor use and will allow water to pour into the woodwork of the caravan. A caravan grade 'mastic' type sealant should be used (very sticky stuff!) and you can buy this in a tube or in ready cut rolls. I'd personally recommend using the tube as it is easier to apply. 
Firstly, start with the awning rails. Remove any rubber inserts as these hide screws to attach the awning rail to the caravan. The awning rail should remove (possibly in one or in sections) and will reveal the old sealant. Take care not to bend the awning rail in any way. This old sealant needs to be removed using solvents such as Turps. You can then apply the new sealant in lieu of the old. Apply it thoroughly but not excessively as this is more to have to clean up. You can then re-attach the awning rail using new screws and re-insert the rubber trim (you can replace it for a few £'s to freshen the exterior up). If your caravan has a GRP front or rear panel, this will need resealing but the awning rail may have actually covered the joint. You then should re-seal roof mounted fixtures such as rooflights and TV aerials. These items can be removed easily and the sealant applied just as you did for the awning rail joints. I would recommend tightening the screws of any part of the caravan that you decide to reseal (awning rail, rooflight etc...) and allow the sealant to ooze out. Clean this off and repeat the process again after 24-48 hours as the sealant settles. It is advisory to reseal your caravan every 5 years for maximum protection against water ingress.

Q: I wish to purchase a full size awning for my caravan. How do I know what size to buy?
A: You have to measure the awning rail on one side, including the distance between the caravan and the ground. You can use a tape measure, but something like string may be easier and you can measure it afterwards. You should need around 10 meters for an average caravan. See the diagram below; the red line is the line that you measure:

Remember to follow the curve of the caravan down to the ground at the point it curves inwards (see diagram), unless it is a steep gradient in which case you can angle the measuring device slightly (see left of diagram). The size should be in centimetres and this is the size you quote when purchasing a full awning. 

Q: My caravan keeps getting heavy condensation on the windows. Does this indicate damp?

A: Not necessarily. Condensation is caused when the interior of the caravan is warm and the exterior is cold. It usually builds up on the windows. Expect condensation as a caravan is a small space and can change temperature rapidly. You can wipe it up with a towel. Should you find condensation on the wallboarding, check these areas for signs of water ingress (damp). 

Q: Do caravans have to pass an MOT like cars?
A: No they don't have any form of certificate to prove roadworthiness. It is recommended that you have your caravan serviced annually by either a caravan dealer of you can do it yourself (See Servicing page). This ensures that your caravan is safe to take on the road and use. A service is not a legal requirement or compulsory in any way (unless to satisfy a new caravan's warranty) but is highly recommended by the National Caravan Council and similar organisations. 

Please feel free to ask your own questions.