There’s no denying that Australian’s love caravans! The freedom to pack up the rig and explore this beautiful country in your own time is rather special.  When it comes to towing, there can be challenges as towing adds another level to your driving. It’s not as simple as hitching your rig to your car and heading off. Whether you are new to towing or an experienced caravanner, it’s important to have the knowledge and skills to tow safely on the roads.

From towing weights to insurance there are many considerations to take into account with towing. Thanks to the Caravan Industry Association of Australia for putting together a free towing guide. With a wealth of information and advice, this guide is an excellent starting place to help keep you safe on the roads.

AVAN ADELAIDE

As we’ve mentioned previously, if you are new to towing, we highly recommend attending a safe towing course, to acquire the required skills and confidence to hit the roads safely. 

Avan Adelaide are a leading dealer for caravans Adelaide and here to help you on your caravan adventures. If you are looking to buy a new van or simply need some parts and accessories, we can help. Plus we have a fully equipped workshop to complete all of your RV servicing and repairs.

\You can find us in Windsor Gardens, only 10 minutes North-East of Adelaide city or feel free to call our team 08 8261 8442.

You’ve planned your caravan trip and are all packed ready to go! Before you head off on your caravan journey, take the time to complete some simple checks to avoid common safety mistakes. Having a pre-trip checklist to work through before setting off is the best way to make sure nothing is forgotten. Follow these quick and easy pre-trip checks to keep safe on the roads.

Caravan Is Packed & Loaded Correctly

Before you hit the road make sure your van is loaded correctly. A poorly packed or overloaded caravan is an accident waiting to happen. Not to mention it’s your legal responsibility to ensure you don’t exceed your vehicle’s towing capacity. An uneven loaded van will affect the tow ball load, increase your fuel usage, place added strain to your car and ultimately impact your safety when towing. 

• Pack majority of the weight over the van’s axles. 
• While travelling store the heaviest items on the floor close to the centre.
• Store only light items in the overhead cupboards. Storing heavier items higher up can affect the caravan’s centre of gravity.
• Avoid packing heavy items behind the axle.

As mentioned, it’s your responsibility to make sure you don’t exceed your vehicle and caravan’s towing weights. If you are new to caravanning, we suggest pack the car prior to your trip and head to your closest weighbridge to weigh your van and check the ball weight. In fact we recommend revisiting the weighbridge from time to time to check your weights.

Outside Caravan Checks

Before you head off complete a pre-trip check on the outside of your van to check everything is in working order and to make sure you haven’t missed anything. 

• Inspect the tyres for wear and make sure the tyre pressures are correct to manufacturer specifications, this includes the spare.
• Check the wheel nuts and use a torque wrench to make sure they are tightened to the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Make sure the electrical plug is connected and operating.
• Test that the brake lights, clearance lights, tail lights and indicators are working.
• Ensure the coupling and safety chains are fastened correctly and operating.
• Check that the awning is packed away and locked securely into the travel position.
• Towing mirrors, weight distribution, brake controllers and rear view cameras all fitted correctly and operational.
• Make sure your vehicle’s brakes engage and release.
• Power leads and hoses have been packed away.
• Wind up and secure the stabilizer legs.

Secure Inside Your Van

You’ve loaded the van but now it’s time to fasten everything securely to avoid damage and a potential mess inside your van. 

• Cupboard doors, drawers, fridge door, roof hatches and windows are closed and locked.
• Remove the plate from the microwave.
• Make sure the gas and electrics are switched off.
• TV is removed from bracket and stored securely. Plus the TV antenna is down.
• Secure any loose items in the van.
• Table is set to travel position.

Knowledge Of Your Destination

Australia has many remote and rugged places and it’s essential for your enjoyment and more importantly safety that you are prepared. Whether you are new to caravanning or an experienced camper, we always recommend finding out about your destination and what the travel conditions will be like. This will allow you to plan and pack the right items, so you don’t get yourself into any unexpected trouble. 

Final Walk Around

Take a  final walk around the van before you head off every time to make sure you haven’t missed anything. Create yourself a pre-trip checklist and following the same routine each time is the best way to make sure you don’t miss anything. Even experienced caravanners can miss things and that’s when damage can happen or people can get hurt.

Need some service and maintenance advice before heading off? Our caravan workshop has a team of experienced technicians who are on hand to help. If this is your first adventure in your new van, we also encourage our customers to take a maiden trip somewhere close by to become familiar and comfortable with your van. For expert advice on caravan sales in Adelaide our team is more than happy to share our advice and experience. 

If you’re like most people, you probably have been thinking about purchasing a caravan to start travelling at home. It’s no secret that Aussies love to travel and with international travel off the cards for some time, local holidays are the answer. What’s even better, here in South Australia our travel restrictions have already been lifted, meaning travel is back on.

So you have decided to buy an RV, where do you go from here? With so many brands and options available, the process can feel somewhat overwhelming and naturally you may feel anxious.  Buying an RV is no small investment and not one to be taken lightly. The really good news though is when equipped with the right information and knowledge you can feel confident and excited to make the best choice for you. 

Get started today with Caravan Sales Adelaide: 5 Key Things You Need To Know Before Buying an RV.

Understand your vehicle’s towing capacity

First off, if you are keeping your current vehicle for towing you need to research its towing capacity, as this dictates the size of van you can purchase. Manufacturers set the towing weights and limits based on the vehicle’s design and how they are built, which means it’s critical to not exceed these limits for safety. Did you know that it’s your legal responsibility to ensure you don’t exceed your vehicle’s towing capacity and these laws are in place to keep us all safe on the roads.  

Know your vehicle’s towing weight and ball weight before you set off looking for a van. Once you have this information an experienced sales consultant will be able to help you choose the right van.

Consider your budget & Financing

Let’s be honest we all wish we had an unlimited budget to purchase our dream van, unfortunately that’s most likely not the case. It’s essential to set your budget in advance so you are clear on what is affordable for your family. Of course you could always choose to pay for the van through finance, provided that is within your means. Caravan finance can be sourced through your own contacts or often dealerships have preferred finance companies they can recommend.

Questions to ask yourself

To begin it’s important to understand why you want the caravan. Ask yourself questions like how will you be using the van and what kind of places will you be travelling to?  You may not have all the answers at the start and that’s okay. Naturally, everyone has different reasons for buying an RV and taking the time to discover how you’ll be using the van will help you choose the right one.  

Get the ball rolling with these questions:

• How many people will the van need to sleep? Do you need a family caravan?
• How often will we be travelling in our van and for how long?
• Where will we be taking our van? Will it need to be off road capable?
• What can my current vehicle tow? Will I need to upgrade my car?
• Where will the RV be stored?
• Will I be free camping or mostly staying in caravan parks?

In addition to these questions, sit down and make a list of features that are important to you. You see there are stacks of features that can be included but making a list of what’s important to you will also help with choosing the right van. For some people an ensuite is essential and for others they are happy to go without. Once again, the features that you want will be dependent on how you intend to use your van.

You probably already know some caravanners, so another suggestion is to chat with them for ideas and experiences. You may not have all the answers at the start, but taking the time to get an understanding of your needs will inevitably help you choose the right size, layout and type of van.

Begin your research – knowledge is power

Research is inevitable when buying an RV. In fact it’s one of the most important parts of the buying cycle. With the internet at our fingertips, we are lucky as this takes the hard work out of researching new products. Before you set off to some dealerships, we suggest you spend some time researching  different brands and types of RV’s currently on the market. You might be quite surprised how many have popped up over the last few years. A good place to start is Google reviews. Get a feel for the brand and their products through these reviews. However remember that there are always going to be some people who like to complain, so try not to focus on the one or two bad reviews in a sea of good.

Once you have a shortlist of local dealerships, make a day to go out and visit them to see what they have on offer.

Buy from a reputable brand & dealer

It’s a fact of life,  like with all industries, there are some brands and dealers that let industry down. You’ve probably heard negative stories about people buying lemons and it’s true this can happen. This makes buying from a reputable brand and dealership even more important. You’ll benefit from choosing a brand that has many years experience in the industry and employ knowledgeable staff. To make your selection easier we recommend buying from a dealer accredited from the Caravan Industry Association of Australia.  This means the vans are manufactured to comply with Australian design rules, standards and safety regulations.

Most importantly remember to enjoy the experience of purchasing either your first caravan or upgrading to a new one. This is an exciting time ahead and new adventures are about to begin.  

Let’s be honest COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing measures have been tough, yet a necessary measure to stop the spread of the virus. Travel restrictions has put a hold on caravan and camping trips and many of us can’t wait to be free to travel once again.  What we do know is this won’t last forever and Australian’s will be back holidaying at home once domestic travel restrictions are lifted. Which means this is the perfect time to start day dreaming and planning your next Aussie holiday. 

Right here in South Australia, regional travel restrictions have already been lifted and caravan and camping is back on!  So let’s support SA and take a caravan trip right in our own backyard. To help inspire you we have listed our top 5 caravan destinations in SA.

Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges

You simply can’t go past this iconic destination. Just 430km north of Adelaide, Wilpena Pound feels like you’ve arrived into another world, with its ancient and rugged mountains, that are 800 million years old. Home to some of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes in the country, this extraordinary destination offers so much to see and do. 

Take advantage of this superb location and stay at the Wilpena Pound Campground, located within the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. This campsite makes an excellent base for your trip, with a large variety of walks available close by to suit all fitness levels.

Streaky Bay, Eyre Pensinsula

The perfect spot to discover the rugged coastline and beautiful landscape of the Eyre Peninsula and take in all its natural beauty.  Known as Australia’s seafood frontier, you’ll be blessed with an abundance of local seafood during your stay. If you love a bit of adventure, like me, then Streaky Bay has it all.  Discover amazing beaches for endless beach activities. Get up and close with marine life, such as dolphins, sea lions and sharks. Try out sand boarding at Yanerbie beach sand dunes, a fun experience for both adults and kids.

What more could you ask for? Start planning your trip today, Streaky Bay foreshore caravan park is an excellent place to stay. Once you’re done exploring for the day, its and ideal spot to sit by the water and soak in the calmness of this magnificent waterfront holiday park. 

Beachport, SA

Looking for a tranquil beachside holiday? Discover how Beachport will easily become your favourite beachside spot. Located about 385 kms from Adelaide, this seaside location is an idyllic place to holiday. With its historic charm, this quaint town is perfect for a relaxed beach holiday atmosphere.  Rivoli Bay delivers white sandy beaches, aquamarine water and spectacular views, so it’s ideal for boating, fishing, surfing and safe swimming.  While Beachport Conservation Park is perfect for hiking, a bike ride or to wander one of the famous walking trails. That is if you can drag yourself away from the beach. Remember to pack your binoculars as this is a great spot for bird watching. 

An interesting fact, Beachport is home to one of Australia’s longest jetties because of the shallow waters in Rivoli Bay, measuring in at 772m.  All you have to do to make the most of this seaside town is stay at the Beachport Caravan Park. Located right on the beachfront, overlooking Rivoli Bay, you couldn’t ask for a better seaside holiday right here in SA. 

Morgan, Murray River

Only 2 hours from Adelaide, Morgan is a great place to experience the Murray River!You’ll appreciate the large riverfront reserve with the magnificent gums and excellent river access for watersports and swimming. Not to mention Morgan is also well known for its historic wharf and paddle steamer heritage that has been preserved for you to explore. 

Love your food and wine? Make sure you check out one of the local country pubs or visit the Clare Valley wine region, that’s only a stone’s throw away. Located on the banks of the Murray River Morgan Riverside Caravan Park is an excellent spot to set up camp. All in all this town is an absolute beautiful part of the Murray and perfect for a relaxing riverside holiday.

Kangaroo Island

Saved the best to last! If you haven’t travelled to Kangaroo Island you are missing out. Most people don’t realise just how large KI is, in fact it’s the third largest island off the coast of Australia. Quite simply you need to plan to stay for more than a day trip to discover all its natural wonders. Simply blissful, with unspoilt nature, rugged coastlines, clear waters, natural wonders and unique wildlife. The experiences and people are second to none, you’ll easily feel at home. 

Kangaroo Island has taken a big hit first with the devastating bushfires and now COVID-19, but they are ready to rebuild. Travel to KI is now being encouraged, so support them and start planning your trip today.

Today, more than ever our message is to stay home and travel right here in South Australia. Support the bushfire affected towns as well as industries that have been impacted by COVID-19. We are blessed to live in a place with an abundance of stunning locations to explore, plus every time we support our local businesses, we are helping make SA stronger. 

Dear valued customers,

At Avan Adelaide, our top priority is always serving and protecting our customers and employees. We seek to provide a safe environment for our customers and our team members and in times such as these, we understand that it is our responsibility to do our best to ensure we keep our customers and employees safe and healthy.

We wanted to share some of the things we’re doing to ensure everyone who enters our dealership or works with us is safe, as well as doing our part in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

We value the health and well-being of our customers and team members and are following the advice from the Australian Government and World Health Organisation (WHO) to help minimise the spread of the virus.

• In addition to our regular cleaning, we have commenced increased cleaning and sanitisation in our dealership.
• All staff have been briefed on safer cleaning practices and personal hygiene to reduce spread of the virus.
• We have requested team members displaying cold and flu like symptoms to refrain from coming to work until cleared by doctor.
• We are following all social distancing recommendations. Please don’t be offended if we seen unfriendly, the health and safety of our customers and team members are our top priority.

At this stage, it’s business as usual for our dealership and we remain open. For the safety of all of our customers and team members, we ask that if you have had contact within the last 14 days with someone who has travelled overseas or you feel unwell, please do not visit our dealership during that period. Our stock is updated regularly on our website, so feel free to browse avanadelaide.com.au or call our sales team on 08 8261 8442.  

Due to disruption of international travel, maybe it is a good time to consider visiting spectacular locations in Australia and support bush fire affected regions.  As a reminder Avan Adelaide offer a hassle free guaranteed buy back option for all caravans, campers and motorhomes. 

Over the coming weeks we will continue to monitor the situation closely and act quickly on the advice of Australian Government and World Health Organisation.

With over 25 years experience in caravan, camper and motorhome manufacturing, you can feel confident when you buy an Avan RV that it has been designed and built by experts right here in Australia.

When travelling in your caravan one thing that you can’t avoid is the hefty fuel bill. Fuel is a significant cost when towing a caravan but there are simple ways to improve your fuel economy. Follow these fuel saving tips and enjoy the savings!

Plan Ahead Of Time

Preparation before you head off can help reduce your overall fuel bill. Planning your route beforehand has advantages by reducing wasted travel time and avoiding getting lost. A good GPS can help here too.

Fuel cost fluctuates from town to town, so pre-planning gives you the chance to check the price of fuel at different service stations in advance. Try to fill up in larger towns where fuel is generally cheaper due to competition. While you are in planning mode it’s a good idea to find out the optimal driving speed of your car for best fuel consumption.

Ensure the towing vehicle is in good condition

Properly maintained and serviced cars will run at their optimum and use less fuel. Quite simply if your engine needs a service then it’s not going to burn fuel efficiently. Servicing your car regularly, replacing air filters, spark plugs and so on will keep your car running at its best. Simply cleaning your air filter regularly may improve your fuel economy by 10% and every little bit helps when it comes to reducing your fuel bill. 

Check tyre pressures

Maintaining correct tyre pressure throughout your trip is essential. Find out the recommended tyre pressure for both your vehicle and caravan then maintain these throughout the trip. This not only improves the safety and performance of your vehicles, but will also deliver better fuel economy. Tyres with low pressure or ones that are not aligned will make your car’s engine work harder and burn through more fuel. During your trip check your tyre pressure about once a week.

You can find some great information about correct tyre pressures at Without a Hitch. 

Drive to save fuel

The way you drive makes a measurable difference to your overall fuel bill. Steady and smooth driving will help boost your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Hard acceleration just wastes fuel and money! Driving with the air conditioner on uses quite a bit of fuel, so where possible keep it’s use to a minimum.

Choose the right caravan

Choosing a light weight caravan or pop top will reduce your fuel bills substantially. With increasing costs of fuel, choosing a lighter van that is better on fuel is more important than ever. Avan’s unique smooth panel construction delivers vans with superior strength but without the weight. With Avan’s light weight caravans you can enjoy spacious, comfortable living with better fuel economy.

Pack Right & Light

Pack light and avoid overloading your caravan for better fuel economy. Your car’s engine will struggle to pull the weight, which will affect your fuel efficiency. If possible avoid excess baggage on your roof racks and it’s best to remove them if not in use. Roof racks cause considerable wind resistance and will cost your more on fuel. I found some excellent information on packing your caravan here.

Invest in fuel saving accessories

There are many accessories on the market that improve your vehicle’s performance and aerodynamics. Caravan accessories such as weight distribution hitches. sway controllers and wind deflectors are all fuel savers. We suggest you talk to your local caravan dealer to find the best solution for your caravan.

There’s no getting around paying for fuel on a caravan holiday but with careful consideration and preparation you can significantly reduce your fuel bill. 

Our parts department can be contacted on 08 8266 5779 for help with your fuel saving accessories. If you are looking for caravan sales, our team are more than happy to help. Avan Adelaide has a large selection of both new and used caravans available at 494 North East Rd, Windsor Gardens SA.

Muscular Dystrophy SA provides support and services for people living with neuromuscular conditions along with their families.  Muscular Dystrophy is the name given to a group of neuromuscular conditions, which are found in the nerves, muscles or at the nerve muscle joint and all cause the muscles to waste away and become weaker. There is no cure and muscular dystrophy SA supports research into finding a cure.

My Dream Lottery

With a $2.4 million prize pool and only 60,000 tickets this dream lottery is a win-win kind of thing! The grand prize is a fully furnished $1.6 million home at Somerton; your dream home. Tickets are $100, so why not take a look at the impressive prize pool thats up for grabs and purchase a ticket or two while you’re there > My Dream Lottery

1. EXPERIENCE FREEDOM & FLEXIBILITY

The freedom you experience when travelling with no schedules and timeframes is priceless. There’s no chance of missing that plane or waiting in airports after cancelled flights. A self-drive holiday allows you to set your own schedule and take each day as it comes. Loving a particular location? Then why not stay longer! You have the freedom to change your plans and destinations without the worry of cancellation fees. 

2. DISCONNECT FROM LIFE AND RECONNECT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Life can be crazy these days and caravan holidays are a chance to experience a complete change of pace from everyday life. Without the usual daily distractions it’s a great time to reconnect with friends and family. There’s nothing better than taking each day as it comes, turning off the electronics, slowing down and enjoying your surroundings.

3. NO NEED TO LEAVE YOUR FURRY FRIEND AT HOME

People are often reluctant to head away in a caravan because they don’t want to leave their furry friend at home. With so many pet friendly accommodation choices these days there’s no need for them to miss out.  Taking the family pet on holiday is essential for many and that’s no exception for us. We don’t like leaving home without our dog Wookie and holidaying in our caravan means he can tag along.

4. ENJOY YOUR PERSONAL SPACE AND HOME COMFORTS

There’s something nice about taking a road trip with all the creature comforts on board. Sleeping in your own bed with your favourite bedding is the best!  A caravan or motorhome becomes your home away home so you can pack your much loved comforts. This is ideal for families with children, as you can take along all the bits and pieces needed to keep them happy.

5. EXPERIENCE AUSTRALIA

Experience all that Australia has to offer. With so many beautiful locations you’ll find some of the greatest experiences come from the places you discover on your own. Many of the best sites are found off the beaten track and depending on your choice of RV you have the freedom to explore these splendid destinations.

Exploring your own state is just as rewarding as longer trips around Australia. Weekend getaways and short trips in your RV is the ideal way to explore your own backyard.

6. JOIN THE CARAVAN COMMUNITY

It’s the perfect way to make new friends and join the caravan community! Caravanners are most often a friendly bunch that loves to socialise and share stories. Staying in caravan parks and campsites will allow you to meet new people, make new friends and share experiences.

7. SAVE MONEY

After the initial purchase of your caravan, camper or motorhome, holidays will be excellent value for money. With self-drive holidays there’s no need to pay for expensive transport or accommodation fees and you can cater your own meals without having to dine out daily. Family holidays are more affordable as there are loads of free activities to keep the kids entertained. Plus your new RV is an asset and can be sold if no longer needed.

Feeling inspired? These are just a few reasons why a caravan holiday is an excellent choice. The list of benefits is endless and there’s no doubt once you start exploring new places and meeting new people you’ll be hooked too. 

If you are new to the caravan and camping industry, it can be difficult to choose whether a caravan, camper or motorhome suits your lifestyle. Plus with so many brands and options in the market today, deciding to buy can be quite daunting. With many years experience and backed by the ultimate brands, our sales team are the experts in caravan sales Adelaide and can help you make the right choice.

What exciting news and we are so pleased Avan is part of this 2 year fundraising trip with Sammy for Love Your Sister Foundation. What an incredible charity this is too, already raising close to $10 million for cancer research. For this 2 year trip around Australia, Sam will be travelling comfortably in an Avan Ovation M5 motorhome along with the Golf Savannah 584 caravan for his support crew.

Samual Johnson Gold Logie winner and well know Australian TV personality, most recently winning Dancing with the Stars and portraying Molly Meldrum in the TV miniseries, couldn’t be more passionate about raising money for cancer research in memory of his sister Connie.

Connie lost her battle with cancer at the age of 33 and she established the Love Your Sister charity with Sam in 2012 with the goal to raise $10 million for cancer research. It looks like that goal will be hit shortly, but that wont stop Sammy in his efforts to vanquish cancer, as he’s determined to raise as much awareness and money to continue the fight against cancer. 

We’ll be following Sammy on his journey around Australia and look forward to seeing him in Adelaide. If you would like to help with the fight against cancer you can donate directly to Love Your Sister here.