Top 10 most wanted accessories

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Peak caravanning season is approaching and nothing makes a trip away more enjoyable than having everything you need to ensure your holiday goes smoothly!

If you’re new to caravanning you may not realise the extent of the accessories available, so be sure to pop into our onsite shop or browse online to see what’s on offer. Experienced caravanners may also benefit from an accessory refresh! Check out our Top 10 most wanted list to ensure you have those all-important items...

1. Awnings

Awnings are a great way of creating more space on your caravanning holiday - some can even double your footprint! This extra space can be used for additional lounging or dining, sleeping quarters for guests or teenagers, or as a play area for the kids on rainy days!

There are three main types of awning to choose from - full awning, porch awning or canopy. Full awnings are practically the length of your caravan and therefore offer the most space, porch awnings offer sheltered space outside the caravan, ideal for drying off and storing boots etc, and canopies offer a retractable roof which could provide shelter from the rain or sun if required.

You’ll also need to decide whether to go for an inflatable or poled awning. Poled awnings are usually cheaper than inflatable ones so if cost is a factor, that’s something to consider. If using an electric pump, putting up an inflatable awning should be quicker and simpler and they fare better in windy weather too. However, inflatable awnings can suffer from condensation, which is inconvenient, but won’t cause any harm.

2. Electrical hook-up cable

These are essential as they enable you to hook up to the mains supply at your chosen campsite. Once hooked up you can enjoy all your creature comforts - charging your devices, drying your hair and boiling the kettle for that all-important cuppa! Don’t just buy the first cable you come across - consider the different brands, make sure the connectors are the correct ones (caravan ones differ from camping ones) and think about what length you’ll need - they come in lengths of between 5m and 30m, though the most common length is 25m.

3. Leisure battery

Leisure batteries can provide you with up to 11 hours of power, enabling you to use your lights and appliances off grid or on a site with no hook-up. Keep in mind that it’s best not to let your battery go under 50% charge or it could take a long time to recharge. Most campsites have charging stations, so once you’re ready for bed you could go and plug it in ready for the morning. Alternatively, if you’re going out for the day, plug it in before you go and it’ll be charged by the time you return.

4. Outdoor furniture

Although caravans have great dining areas, when the weather’s good, we want to be outside! We pray for dry, warm weather for our caravanning trips so if we’re blessed, it’s great to make the most of it. Getting the right outdoor furniture can make all the difference to enjoying the great outdoors - the last thing you want to be is uncomfortable! 

Invest in some good quality, comfortable chairs that can be used for both dining and lounging. If you want to eat at a table (rather than your lap), research the range of outdoor tables available and make sure you get one large enough for your party, but that folds down compactly and easily for storage.

5. BBQ

A decent BBQ will provide the opportunity for alfresco dining at its best! BBQ food is so versatile - from your standard sausages and burgers, to kebabs, pork chops, chicken thighs and steaks of all kinds, the choices are endless! Not forgetting the halloumi, corn on the cob and all the lovely salad trimmings too - yum!

We stock a range of Cadac BBQs and accessories, all of which are of the highest quality and offer great design features - contact us if you can’t find what you’re after on our website as we may be able to order items in...

6. Water carriers

Water carriers are essential for life on site, to enable you to transport fresh water to your van for drinking and washing, and to remove the waste water as needed too. You’ll need separate carriers for fresh and waste water and they come in different sizes so have a think about what size will suit you and your caravan. For fresh water, you can buy Aquarolls which allow you to roll the water, which is ideal for larger volumes. You can get a smaller container such as a 5 or 10 litre one to enable you to easily top up the Aquaroll if you wish. If you’re unsure about which containers are compatible with your caravan, email us at shop@winchestercaravans.com or give us a call on 01962 714 844 and we’ll be happy to advise.

7. Kitchen essentials

Kitting out your kitchen is one of the most exciting parts of getting your caravan ready for its first trip! There’s so much to choose from when it comes to dinner sets, cutlery and glasses/cups/mugs, with much of it is made from non-breakable materials such as melamine. Of course, you can opt for ceramics and real glass if you prefer, but be sure to pack them well whilst in transit.

There are also compact caravanning pots and pans and a range of collapsible bowls and other items that are great space savers. Don’t forget the toaster and kettle (tea and toast is a must!) and any other appliances you fancy - just keep in mind that you’ll need  sufficient worktop / storage space for everything you buy...

8. Fire extinguisher 

Better safe than sorry, always keep a small fire extinguisher to hand for handling small flames - and you could also invest in a fire blanket too. For anything more substantial, always get out of the caravan immediately and call the emergency services. If you have time, call the site reception to inform them of the situation and keep them in the loop.

9. Wedge level

Getting your caravan pitched correctly is important as being off kilter could affect your comfort (especially when sleeping) and it could even stop the fridge working properly! The Milenco wedge levels are great for increasing the height on one side of the van if you’re on an uneven pitch to help bring it level so they can prove very handy!

10. Towing mirrors

Towing mirrors are essential when you’re towing a caravan as they give you an extended view of the van, enabling you to see all of it and from better angles than just your standard wing mirrors. The Milenco towing mirrors come in two forms with flat glass or convex glass - the choice is yours!

Our on-site accessory shop is a treasure trove of caravanning delights, so please pop in for a browse - you’re sure to find things you never even knew you needed! Rest assured that we have a range of measures in place to keep you safe including a face mask policy, social distancing markers, a one-way system, screens around tills and contactless payments. You can also opt to place orders on the phone for outdoor collection if you prefer - simply call us on 01962 714 844, discuss your requirements with us and pay with a card to secure your items.

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