Have you always dreamed about touring the world on an exhilarating road trip, getting closer to nature and with your own self? If you can enjoy the unconditioned freedom of taking the adventure wherever the open road points, a caravan would su it you best. They allow you to bring comfortable, often self-contained accommodations to countless destinations. Once you arrive and unhitch your mini-caravan, you can easily explore the area with your towing vehicle.
Sounds exciting, right? But before you buy your dream caravan and embark on an adventure, here are some things to ponder about caravanning coming from our team of nature-traveling professional addicts.
First things first: camper trailer or mini-caravan?
This is the question the majority of people will ask themselves when looking to upgrade their camping setup. Thus, what differentiates a caravan from a camper trailer?
A camper trailer represents a separate unit that can be attached to the car. Depending on the model you choose, it can come with different features, but it will grant you a bed to sleep in, storage, an outside kitchen, and everything you need to move around. Although a camper trailer can be cheaper and smaller than a caravan, there will be less space inside, and you will need to be extra careful when driving in order to avoid any damage to the camper trailer.
When talking about a caravan, they come with all the advantages and features of a camper trailer, plus a few more. Fully self-contained caravans are perfect for those seeking ease, convenience, and comfort. One of the big advantages of a caravan is that there’s pretty minimal set-up and pack-down time, especially compared with a campervan. In most cases, you can drive straight into the campsite and be ready to go.
The tow car
While it is true that caravans are known for giving you the maximum luxury, security, and storage space on your road trip, there is also no argument that the sheer weight of towing an entire home on wheels can have several disadvantages.
However, new models of mini-caravans have caught the eye of off-road trip enthusiasts in recent years. Robust and aesthetically superior, FIM Off-road Caravans boast an interior sleeping area for two people, a kitchen area for cooking and dish-washing, a front luggage compartment for taking all your travel essentials, and a roof rack that delivers extra storage and space for a tent as well.
No, we are not saying you won’t need a 4×4 vehicle to go on the road with FIM mini-caravans, but the modern outside design of the mini-caravan will ease some of the driving worries. For maximum safety, it is recommended that the maximum weight of the caravan should not exceed 85% of the car’s kerbside weight. Before deciding on a caravan, it’s imperative to research your vehicle’s towing specifications, the caravan’s specifications, and towing regulations and guidance in your state or territory and in your destination.
Traveling essentials
Now that we talked about different types of vans and safety precautions for your tow car, it is time to take a look at some very important gear to take advantage of when packing up for your trip.
- Awning tent – if you are looking for even more extra space
- Fresh water container
- Water hose (obviously)
- Gas spanner
- Torch Lantern
- First aid kit
- All-weather gear – you want to be prepared with clothing for every unexpected situation.
If you are a beginner in caravanning and off-road trips, this should give you some background on what to expect and research when putting together the optimum adventure kit. Check out the FIM mini-caravans catalogue, and if you are looking for a mini-caravan dealer to give you more insights, don’t hesitate to contact us!