The Berg family have been caravanning for nearly 10 years now and have had some pretty cool adventures! Along the way they've picked up some really great tips that they'd love to share to help take your caravanning to the next level. In this episode, we're taking a look at pre-trip maintenance. Wes & Jade give us a hitching up masterclass before sharing a few pointers on some key things to watch out for before hitting the road. Check out our main takeaways below!
Top BCFing Takeaways
Take your time when hitching!
Don't rush the process, take your time when hitching up the caravan. Making sure you complete your pre-trip maintenance is super important for the safety of your loved ones. For the Bergs, this is a two-person effort that's helped by the use of a two-way radio. By using the radios, the team can stay connected throughout the whole process. Ensure your tow ball is locked into position, your brakes and electrics are connected up, and your safety chains are connected and crossed
Ensure emergency braking system is fitted (large vans)
All large vans over 1,500 kilos need to be fitted with an emergency safety brake. Make sure this is connected to your car so that if anything goes wrong, you're keeping yourself and other road users out of harm's way
Secure any items in caravan
All items can become a hazard if not secured properly. Especially large items such as sporting equipment and water jerry cans. The last thing you want is for these items to be flying around the caravan while you navigate the winding roads. This could result in a big clean up when you hit the campgrounds. This includes items in cupboards - make sure you pack these away safely so that when you open the door, they don't come crashing down
Check tyre pressures and lights before setting off
It's time to bust out the two-way radios again and get the crew to help out with some final checks. Checking the tyre pressures of the van and car is a must, and making sure all the lights are working including the brakes and both indicators will ensure you avoid any unnecessary mishaps while on the black top
Taking the time to perform your pre-trip maintenance is crucial to a successful van trip. If you want to learn more, check out the video above!