Frequently asked questions (faqs)

Here is a list of our most frequently asked questions. If you have something you need to know not covered here then give us a call or send you questions via email and we will be happy to help.

Common Questions

Can I use Butane or Propane gas in my caravan and what is the difference?

Most caravans will work on either gas. The main difference between them is that the Propane will not freeze in the Winter but the Butane can. Propane also burns slightly hotter.

Should I use an 85a or 110a leisure battery in my caravan?

Most caravans will now accommodate either size of battery but its worth measuring the battery box first to make sure.

If you have a motor mover fitted on your caravan then its recommended to use a 110a leisure battery – also if you camp for longer than a weekend on sites without mains hook up, then the 110a leisure battery is recommended as it will last longer than the 85a leisure battery.

If you don’t have a motor mover, are always on a site with mains hook up & the caravan has a charger unit fitted (nearly all modern caravans now have) then the 85a leisure battery will be fine.

Is it necessary to have my caravan serviced?

Regular servicing and maintenance is very important and some insurance companies will now insist on it and will require a copy of your service records.

It is recommended that your caravan is serviced and damp tested at least once a year.

How often should I change the water filter in my caravan?

Different water filters have different life spans but it is generally recommended that you change the water filter once a year.

However if you use the caravan a lot, it is probably worth changing the water filter half way through the season too.

Do I need to secure my caravan & if so what do I use?

It is always best to check your insurance policy to see what the basic requirements are. Some insurers will say a hitch lock or a wheel clamp, some stipulate both and also of a certain standard.

It is recommended to use both a wheel clamp & a hitch lock as a minimum.

The Sold Secure locks are the best as they have been independently tested and have to be of a certain standard to become Sold Secure certified.

What chemicals do I need for the toilet in my caravan?

There are 2 different types of toilet chemicals.

If you wish to be environmentally friendly, then you need to use the green chemicals such as Elsans Organic or Thetfords Aqua Kem Green.

Alternatively you can use the normal Blue & Pink chemicals. The Blue will go into the toilets waste holding tank & The Pink is a flush water additive if the toilet has its own flushing water tank.

It is also worth buying the special toilet rolls that break up in the toilets waste tank otherwise the tank gets clogged up with toilet roll & very difficult and messy to empty.

My caravan awning never looks like it fits properly & sags. Can I do anything about it?

There are 2 main products on the market to help – The Awning Companion & The Hercules.

These are both awning pole tensioners to get the frame as taught as possible & take the slack out of the canvas.

If this doesn’t help, you can also buy additional roof beam poles to help support the awning roof canvas.

If you have a caravan model year 2004 onwards, there should be a Euro bulkhead fitted regulator – Truma being the most popular.

It is usually either the gas pigtail form the bottle to the regulator has got blocked & needs replacing or more commonly, the regulator itself has become blocked.

General current feeling is that there is an oily resin in the gas that locks up the regulator & the only course of action then is a new regulator.

As always with gas, it is recommended that only a gas competent person should touch the gas system in your caravan.

The omni-directional TV aerial fitted on the caravan roof never gives me a picture. Is there anything I can do ?

The omni- directional aerials are notoriously poor for digital TV signal in poor reception areas. If the red light is on on the booster/ power pack, then the aerial is functioning properly but just not good enough.

The easiest option is to forget the aerial on the roof & buy a directional digital aerial & a pole kit to fasten to the caravans side or jockey wheel.

The directional aerial will be far better than an omni-directional & far more adaptive.

Some sites you will need the aerial only 6’ above the ground – other sites you will need the aerial to be 6’ above the roof height of the caravan.

I appear to have lost gas pressure in my caravan but the gas bottles are full. What can the problem Be ?

If you have a caravan model year 2004 onwards, there should be a Euro bulkhead fitted regulator – Truma being the most popular.

It is usually either the gas pigtail form the bottle to the regulator has got blocked & needs replacing or more commonly, the regulator itself has become blocked.

General current feeling is that there is an oily resin in the gas that locks up the regulator & the only course of action then is a new regulator.

As always with gas, it is recommended that only a gas competent person should touch the gas system in your caravan.