How safe is your caravan? Safety tips you need before holidaying after lockdown!

Sergeant Owen Messenger joins local Youtuber George to learn more about caravan road safety and even has a go at reverse bay parking! Give the video a watch and let us know what you think!

Sgt Owen had this message:

Since the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions to foreign travel the UK has seen a huge increase in the market for caravans. The demand for caravans has increased significantly and many are changing hands privately having not been properly checked.

Even prior to the pandemic we saw many caravans and trailers that had been poorly maintained and/or poorly driven and then being involved in completely preventable incidents and collisions on the roads in the South West of the UK. Closing a main arterial route has a huge impact, not only to the people stuck in the resulting traffic jam but also financially to the local economy. This financial cost is estimated at around £1 million per hour that the road is closed.

Caravans need to be checked regularly the same as any other vehicle. We see many caravans having had tyre blowouts caused by poorly maintained tyres or tyres that are passed their use by dates. Yes, a tyre has a use by date! Don’t just check the tyres on the road wheels, check the spare as well. The same concept applies to the brakes and other mechanical items.

Be sure that you have the entitlement on your licence and that your towing vehicle is suitable to tow what you intend to tow.

Weight distribution within the caravan is also very important for the stability of the vehicle so consider this when loading, and make sure gas cylinders etc are properly stowed away.

Nobody wants to have a breakdown on their holiday and nobody wants to be sitting in their car for hours because somebody else has had a break down. Simple checks such as those described above and in the video can save everyone from this potentially. More importantly, the simple checks may also save your, or somebody else’s!

This video gives you a general oversight. Please look on the Camping and Caravanning Club website for more in-depth, specialist videos and information.

Stay safe

Sgt Owen Messenger

D&C/Dorset Alliance Roads Casualty Reduction Team