Looking To Pack Up Your Home And Spend A Year In Your Caravan?
Here are four things to consider if you are are looking to pack up and spend a year in your caravan
A year on the open road sounds like a lot of fun, and it is, but you need to get set up right and prepare for your adventure. Caravanning takes a little bit of planning to do it right, and staying away from home for a whole year will add a little extra to your to-do list.
Here are some things to consider to get you started for your caravanning adventure
Use Personal Storage For Long Term Possessions
Space is going to be at a premium if you are spending a year in a caravan. You are going to have to make some sacrifices when deciding what comes with you and what stays at home. If you are renting out your property while you are away, or moving out of your home completely, you should get some personal storage space for your long term possessions. Not everything is going to be able to make the trip.
You can safely pack away your possessions with Safestore. They have storage available across the country at the right size and the right price no matter what your needs are. Their courteous and professional staff can look after the big and little things for you while you trek around the country. This will give you extra peace of mind when travelling.
Not All Caravan Parks Are Open All Year Round
The beauty of travelling in a caravan is you can all any spot home, within reason. You can stop for a few hours anywhere, but overnight stays or stopping for a few days requires a properly arranged space. Caravan parks are the ideal place and can give you the opportunity to top up any consumables, buy some snacks and supplies from the shop, and maybe have a proper shower.
Not every park is open all year round, so you will have to plot your trip carefully and consider opening seasons when you are deciding where to pitch up and when. If you are in the wrong spot at the wrong time of year you could be a long way from an open caravan park when night starts to fall. Save yourself some stress and some long drives by arranging your overnight stays far ahead of time with seasonal hours in mind.
Budgeting Is A Daily Chore
There are a lot of variables when you are travelling in a caravan and they can push your budget unexpectedly. You need to make the best plan you can and then monitor your costs constantly. If a couple of things like food or fuel start slipping over budget, you can find yourself without enough funds to continue your year in a caravan. Caravan parks can be pricey in peak season too, and their charges for consumables like water or gas can go up a bit with demand.
If you can keep a spreadsheet going on a laptop or use a notebook to keep track of your pennies you should be able to stay on top of cash flow while keeping all your stocks up throughout the year. Look for cheaper food options too, using discount stores and food that doesn’t need to be cooked to keep down on energy costs.
Driving With A Caravan Is Different
Having a large mass in tow behind you changes driving a car a lot. Even if you have plenty of experience behind the wheel while pulling a caravan along, driving greater distances than you are used to across a larger number of days will be different. Make sure you plan rest days for yourself and uncouple the caravan and get out in the car without it every now and again. Your arms will feel better for it.
Before you hit the open road make sure you cover these bases and prepare yourself for the trip properly. These tips should put you on your way to a fun adventure for your year in a caravan.