Planning a vacation alone already requires preparing for a number of things such as your expenses, accommodation and itinerary. That said, when you are planning one in caravan accommodation, the number of things you need to do multiplies. This is because you would need to pack everything you would be using during your vacation, from the tongs to the toothbrush.

Getting organised early and having a detailed checklist to guide you can help take the pressure off and ensure that you don’t forget anything important for your trip. G'day Parks Ararat, a premier caravan park in Ararat, shares a handy checklist that ticks off everything you need to do before going on your big adventure:

Caravan Exterior:

Check that your caravan’s exterior has:

• A coupling secured to the tow vehicle
• Safety chains in good condition
• Handbrakes that engage and release cleanly
• Additional power supply plugs that are clean and connected
• Working lights on the brakes, indicators, parking lights, side lights, number plate and reverse
• Tyres that are in good condition and are pumped correctly
• A battery in good condition
• A spare tyre properly stashed away
• A full water tank
• Secure tools, awnings, aerials and accessories

Caravan Interior:

Check to see if the fire extinguisher is present and in good condition

• Make sure the fridge door is secure and the refrigerator has adequate ventilation
• Ensure that cupboards, doors and drawers are closed and secure
• Keep food and drinks properly packed away
• Check to see if the interior lights work and have spare light bulbs and tubes in check
• Empty the toilet cassette and make sure that the toilet is operating properly
• Make sure water pumps and drains are free from blockages

Car:

Check that all the mirrors are firm and secure

• Ensure that you have a full petrol tank
• Make sure the various hoses in your engine are all in good condition
• Place an insect screen in front of the radiator to avoid problems later on
• Ensure that you have appropriate tension in your fan belt
• Check your oil levels in the engine and transmission
• Ensure that you have enough coolant in the engine and that you have an adequate amount of brake fluid.

Tools:

Depending on the type of trip you are doing, you may need a specific set of tools. However, if you plan to spend most of your trip staying in secure caravan park accommodation, you don’t need as many tools as you would trekking in the desert. Here are some essentials to bring:

• Electrical tape
• Screwdrivers
• Scissors
• Stanley knife
• Tie cables
• Mini spirit level
• Spanner set
• Spare fan belt and radiator hoses

Spares:

You can’t always rely on a shop being accessible for your trip so it’s important to prepare some spares such as:

• Batteries
• Tyres for both the car and the caravan
• Fuses
• Insulating tape
• Electrical wires

While these don’t cover everything you would need on your trip, accomplishing everything on the list can help ensure that you have a smooth and hassle-free adventure. Planning a caravan trip soon? Visit G'day Parks Ararat and enjoy the rich outdoors.