Caravan safety devices

A caravan is very different to a normal car or van, so there are some additional aspects you need to consider when purchasing a caravan, particularly when it comes to safety.

Of course, caravan insurance is important to protect you financially in the event of an accident, but taking extra steps to prevent the likelihood of this happening is always advisable.

You may even discover that having additional caravan safety devices fitted helps reduce the amount you have to pay out to cover your vehicle.

In addition to keeping your caravan roadworthy, you will also need to think about fire safety, maintain any electrical or gas systems and look at measures you can take to ensure you are safe while driving.

  • Simple safety devices

    You are most vulnerable when you are on the road with your caravan and as such, there are a few caravan safety devices that you may want to invest in.

    Rear visibility is restricted when towing a caravan, so you may want to buy some wing mirror extensions to give you a wider field of vision of the road behind you.

    Trailer stabilisation systems are another device to consider. These will help prevent excessive movement of your caravan, such as in high winds, when manoeuvring or overtaking and when tackling other road hazards.

    Punctured tyres are difficult enough to deal with on a car, but on a caravan such an incident can have catastrophic consequences, particularly at high speeds.

    The Phantom Tyre Protector is one way to guard against this. It is a liquid sealant that is injected into your tyre and should any puncture happen, a small amount of this material will be squeezed out and seal immediately.

    Another option is a wheel safety band. This will be fitted to the well of the wheel once the tyre is in place and it grips the rubber, keeping it in the right position even when the tyre is deflated. This means the driver will still have full steering control and can safely pull over in the event of puncture.

  • Other safety considerations

    Unlike cars, you will use your caravan as much more than just transport. As a result, you will need to install some safety features similar to those found in your home.

    Fire prevention is one aspect to consider and you should fit a smoke alarm to your caravan and take basic precautions, such as by carrying a fire blanket and extinguisher in your vehicle at all times.

    Take a common sense approach - don't leave the cooker unattended while it is in use and never turn it on while you are mobile.

    You should always check that the caravan you are buying has been approved under the National Caravan Council Certification Scheme because this will mean the required safety checks on the vehicle have been carried out.

  • Caravan maintenance - keeping you safe

    As well as installing some caravan safety devices you will need to keep your van in a roadworthy condition and get it serviced regularly.

    Always take your caravan to an Approved Workshop - this means that it will have been vetted by professionals and you can rest assured that any maintenance carried out will be up to standard.

    You should also make sure that you undertake basic checks of your car and caravan before you tow it, including measuring the tyre pressure, topping up the radiator, screenwash and oil if necessary and making sure that the battery, brakes and all the lights are in working order.