Autumn Touring

With the Covid 19 pandemic and everything locked down for the best part of the Spring/Summer, you may be making the most of some Autumn camping. Getting ready for touring in Autumn is not hard is just needs a tweak from your normal Summer routine.

Get ready with these slight changes to make sure you and your home from home are ready to go!

Of course make sure your insurance is up to date and covers every eventuality. Here at Coast Insurance we have experienced staff to help you to choose the perfect touring caravan insurance, motorhome or campervan insurance cover for your needs.

Grip

Damp weather and fallen leaves shouldn’t stop you. If you are not booked in on a hard-standing surface , parking on grip mats will allow you to leave without a fuss. Look for a lattice design that can be locked together with maximum traction in the mud.

Steps can get very slippery. The wider the better for the feet and a tread pattern on the step that is going to not get slippery when wet.

Keep it warm

It’s always important, but no more so than in the colder months to make sure you have enough gas to power your heating and hot water. But don’t rely on just guesswork; there are some gas level checking products available that give an accurate indicator. At the least always have a spare if space and weight allows.

Be road-ready

The days are drawing in and getting shorter, it’s more likely you will be travelling to and from your destination in the dark, so make sure you can be seen. Check your indicator and lights including brake lights before setting off. A high-vis vest is always handy to have around in case of an emergency. A warning triangle is recommended too for those unplanned stops.

Make sure your tyre tread is in good condition and use an accurate tyre pressure gauge to ensure they are correctly inflated.

Check the windscreen washer level.

Maintenance

We all know regular maintenance saves money in the long run. Lubricating your window and door seals with a silicone spray is something often forgotten. If you are using a shower, make sure you aerate your vehicle during and after each trip to prevent damp.

Exterior bodywork maintenance is important too. Check all pumps, taps, heating and electrics are working as expected.

More tips for the colder darker nights

Your walking boots may have seen better days, there is nothing worse than discovering a hole in your shoe half way into a walk.

Don’t plan for a late arrival on site. It’ll be dark, really dark.

Check the forecast and plan activities accordingly. Stay safe take some games if conditions are poor, especially near the coast or in the hills.

You can travel lighter as you really wont need that BBQ or spare outdoor chairs. Take only what you’re sure you’ll use. But don’t skimp on outdoor clothes, extra blankets and anything else you’ll need to feel cosy and warm. A hot water bottle is a must.

Work out an afternoon routine: Do all your normal checks before it gets dark, ie water levels, gas levels, emptying the toilet cassette. When it gets dark it really is dark!

Work out a morning routine: If you are in a campervan leave your shoes and a coat by the door for the morning trip to the toilet.

Buy a wind-up torch. A head torch can be useful for those two-handed jobs like emptying the loo, make sure the batteries are good.

Put reflective tape/paint on anything you’ve previously walked into. You know what they are you have sworn about them enough times!

There will be dull days when you just don’t fancy going out. Rediscover board games or a good book. Download a favourite film.

Before your journey get an idea of the local area, pubs, clubs restaurants etc. Plan a night out and fill up with winter comfort food. There’s nothing better than a cold walk with a warm pub at the end of it.