To set families up for successful road trips this year, the caravan and campervan experts at Auto Finance share how to choose the right van for your trip and offer essential advice for parents looking to get away on family holidays this year.
Steve Noga, caravan and campervan expert at Auto Finance says: “Ahead of Easter road trips, making sure you have the right vehicle setup and safety essentials is key to avoiding costly fines.
“When it comes to choosing a campervan or caravan, there are a number of things you need to consider, such as the amount of space and storage needed in your van to ensure it’s a comfortable trip.
“While campervans give you great flexibility for staying on the move, caravans are a great family option as they help to provide a more comfortable base - and your car can be used for day trips.
“Just make sure to consider how compatible your car is to tow a caravan first. We recommend following the 85% rule. This will help to ensure the caravan’s fully-laden weight is not heavier than 85% of the tow car’s kerb weight.”
Terri Lowe from Stoke-on-Trent, is the Marketing Manager for adventure stroller brand WonderFold Wagon and tells Auto Finance why caravan holidays are perfect for her family of four.
“My sons are aged one and three. We started going on caravan holidays when my first one turned one, and we go every year for each of their birthdays. We wanted memorable experiences with them, rather than buying more toys and presents so caravan holidays are the ideal way to do this easily and with everything you need in one place.”
Below, Terri and Steve share their top tips for planning a caravan holiday with small children:
Be aware of possible fines
Steve says: “When planning a campervan or caravan holiday with your children, parents should be aware of the potential fines associated with road safety.
“Drivers can be fined up to £500 if a child under fourteen isn’t wearing a seatbelt. Make sure children 12 and under or 135 centimetres tall and under are seated in a booster seat for the correct safety.
“There are also other fines associated with your vehicle to be aware of. Make sure you don’t exceed the recommended weight limit of your vehicle as this can result in fines of up to £300 and lead to three penalty points on your license.
“Remember to check your insurance before your trip too as failing to do so could lead to six to eight penalty points. And carry your MOT certificate with you to avoid a £1,000 fine.”
Keep journeys short and sweet
“When deciding where to go, try to keep all journeys under two hours to avoid disrupting your child’s nap time routine too heavily,” says Terri.
“If you are looking to go further afield, make sure to stop half way somewhere to eat and let the kids let off some steam before the remainder of the journey. Try and time the journey in line with your child’s nap time too, just make sure it’s not for too long!”
Get kids involved and entertained
Steve says: “A great way to keep children entertained is to involve them with the planning and packing of the trip. For example, involve them in the planning of the route, letting them choose where they would like to go or stop off during the trip.”
“This inclusion should not only prevent boredom but also make children feel more excited with a level of responsibility,” says Terri.
Terri suggests: “It can be hard to keep kids entertained at the best of times so you’ll want to ensure you pack a wide range of travel activities for kids to stop them getting bored and restless while on the road. Audiobooks and physical books are great options for solo entertainment, while for younger children, colouring books, sticker books and activity sheets are great and these can be printed at home to save you money too.”
Pack the essentials
Terri says: “We make sure to pack two times the amount of clothes we actually need to allow for all weathers.
“Spare blankets and bedding are great to take in case of any accidents and don’t forget a cool box to pack the kids’ snacks and lunches in to help keep them fresh throughout the day.
“To prepare for day trips out, pack a bag including all the essentials such as nappies, water bottles and snacks and keep this in the pram so it is ready to go. Top it up in the evening so it’s ready to go for the next day.
“It also helps to have an emergency supply of just about everything you’d normally have in your bathroom cabinet. Antibacterial wash, a first aid kit, baby wipes and medication will set you up for any emergency.”
Bring home comforts
Terri explains: “We always make sure to bring some home comforts with us on the road. Things like familiar bedding, favourite toys and safe foods we know the kids will eat no matter what, even if they’re a bit unsettled by the journey and new surroundings.”
Steve adds: “More and more families are choosing to stick to UK-based holidays. And, with an endless choice of campsites across the UK it’s a great option for family holidays that will keep everyone entertained.
“Just don’t forget to make the necessary safety checks before hitting the road and during your road trip to help ensure your adventure goes as smoothly as possible.”