The caravan: here is the definitive guide for 2024

Today the recreational vehicle market, at least in Italy, seems to focus mainly on motorized vehicles. But it's there a vehicle that, perhaps, more than any other represents the essence of family travel. The caravan!

How many of us have had a camping experience right on board a caravan. I still remember my holidays as a boy. My family had a caravan which we used permanently during the year and for traveling in the summer. She became one "second house" from September to July, parked waiting for us in a campsite in Iseo. To then be hooked up to carry us to explore our beautiful country.

Of course the journey was long. We visited Sardinia, Calabria, Puglia, Marche, Abruzzo… with inevitable night stops along the way. It was an adventure and the holiday began with the “clack” of the hook... but let's discover everything together, or almost everything, with our definitive guide to the caravan.

We know the caravan        

The caravan, also known as a caravan, is a trailer equipped to be lived in only and exclusively when parked. It can be towed, via a specially designed coupling, by the most common cars. The optimal combination must be chosen not only on the basis of your needs, but also respecting existing regulations regarding weights and measures.

Furnished like all domestic environments, from the kitchen to the bathrooms, with beds always ready and/or transformable seats, the caravan can accommodate from two to eight people. It therefore lends itself to both couples and large families. Let's now discover all the secrets about caravans.

Who is it best suited for?

The caravan is it ideal tool for all those who wish to be in contact with nature and travel. Traveling holidays can be alternated with relaxing stays, even prolonged ones, in different environmental situations. Sea and mountains, summer and winter. In front of a relatively small investment in fact, it offers maximum versatility for use when parked. Here is one of the main advantages: the freedom to use the car for short trips and excursions in the area.

What types of caravans exist?

All caravans they essentially lend themselves to any type of use. But, as is obvious, there are models more suitable for traveling and others designed for the living room. The caravans ideal for the traveling holiday they should be easy to handle and light.

If we think about one more permanent solution, even if there remains the possibility of moving it as desired, you can think of different models. Maybe able to gensure adequate spaces and greater habitable volumes in all weather conditions. In any case, the crew who must use it must be taken into account.

• How many people are there?
• Are they adults or children and, if so, can they sleep together?
• What is the age of the crew?
• Are there specific requirements for use?
• What are the weights and measurements of the caravan – often depends on the car that will tow it?

There are also structural differences which have their weight, in every sense, depending on the intended use of the habitable trailer.

How much does a caravan cost?

The purchase of the caravan is a relatively limited financial commitment. There are in fact models with prices starting from around 15.000 euros. They are absolutely valid and able to respond to the most varied needs and conditions of use. Naturally, prices rise (even by several tens of thousands of euros) depending on size, equipment, construction technique, insulation, design and level of interior furnishings.

The reasons that drive the caravan

To the economic issues, which have already been mentioned, to his functionality and versatility they can and must be added emotional reasons. Although small and modest, it is a real habitable trailer. A support point that is easy to move and position that allows us to set off on new adventures and excursions foreverwhether short or long.

It goes without saying that the caravan represents a valid and healthy tool for cultural growth. Both from a family and social point of view, for couples and families especially in the presence of children. Camping life in contact with new people and different cultures can only be enriching.

The reasons that hold back the caravan

The doubts that potential Italian users have regarding caravans mainly concern driving with a tow. Fears like “will I be able to” are common, thinking about possible dangers or difficulties. Fears that they disappear almost immediately after the first kilometres, actually. Furthermore, increased travel times must be considered.

We remind you that the maximum speed allowed on the motorway is 80 km/h. If on the one hand it could perhaps slow down for the weekend away it hides an advantage. You can see it as an extra chance to make a slow tourism to know and respect the environment.

The caravan is not autonomous. It has no battery and the hydraulic system discharges to the ground. Not all have large supplies of water. So for a pure traveling use, it is necessary “camperize it”. The houses offer packages for this purpose. Or your local dealer will install what is needed.

In any case it always works checked the data on the available load. To avoid installing accessories that cause the caravan to exceed the maximum weight permitted in running order. Or to reduce this value too much and then not be able to load the supplies or clothing.

But is the caravan safe?

Construction techniques and technology, combined with the evolution of the car, have made great progress. Today towing a trailer is much easier and safer than it used to be. The setting of the structure itself, low and light but stable, already represents an important milestone.

If we then add the many auxiliary dynamic safety devices, from the stabilizer joint to the self-adjusting brakes, even the Trailer Control on caravans and tractors, we can easily face the towing experience. As long as you always pay attention to driving and comply with the regulations.

Which caravan to choose?

The proposals on the market there are many, both in size and in terms of trim levels and, consequently, price. In addition to your own budget of spending, we must naturally focus on models that meet our needs family needs. Or our aspirations.

So keep in mind number and type of crew, type of holiday you intend to take (short/long-haul trips, seasonal stays, weekends, etc.). As well as towing capacity of the engine in our possession.

Can I tow with my car?

The vast majority of combustion engine cars can tow a trailer. As long as you respect the maximum towable weight reported on the registration certificate of the tractor itself. The maximum fully loaded weight of the caravan is also reported on the relevant registration document.

You need to be careful because with the simple driving license B it is possible to drive a train consisting of a tractor + trailer. This it must not have a total weight exceeding 35 quintals.

Or if the engine is already a 35 tonnes (as in the case of campers), not exceeding 750 kg. With large SUVs and caravans it is easy to exceed this limit.

It is therefore necessary to equip yourself with BE or B96 license extensions. As for hybrid and electric cars, their towing capacity and above all autonomy are limited. We recommend inquiring on a case-by-case basis. Furthermore, the width of the trailer must not exceed that of the tractor by more than 70 cm (never more than 2,55 metres).

Naturally, each car must be equipped with its own specific features towing device, better known as a hook. Installation to be carried out only at specialized workshops that also take care of the registration on the registration document (approximate cost 700/1.200 euros depending on the models).

If you want to learn more about towing with an electric car, read also Knaus Yaseo 340 PX

How do you travel with the caravan in tow?

Driving with a trailer is demanding a calm approach and constant attention. It is advisable to get started carry out tests on large open spaces but without approaching them as an exam. Just for take domesticity with dimensions and maneuvers, engine power and braking times.

It is essential to maintain a safe distance, pay attention to potential obstacles, always signal your direction in advance and prevent any kind of situation. Then once you get started everything will be so immediate and simple that the only risk could be to forget that you have a caravan in the back. And remember, however, that a coupled trailer requires a greater turning radius when cornering, especially narrow ones in residential areas or campsites.

Where can I go?

In general with the caravan you can go anywhere. As long as you follow roads and routes that are feasible for motorists in general. Of course it is best to avoid itineraries with steep slopes, extremely tortuous or in precarious safety conditions.

For example, roads with uneven or icy surfaces, the presence of protruding branches or balconies, low-height underpasses or strong winds. Regarding parking it is always advisable to stop, especially if for several days, in organized structures. Accessible rest areas, camping, agricamping. Nothing stops you from spending a night in "free" during travel, provided that they are in safe environments, free from prohibitions and in full compliance with local regulations and common rules of coexistence.

Read also: “Caravan trip in the Czech Republic”

How much does it cost me to maintain it?

Regarding fixed expenses, property tax and dynamic insurance (an appendix to the normal RCA insurance of the towing vehicle), the numbers are truly limited. In both cases it is about a few tens of euros. Insurance for additional coverage is more expensive, to be evaluated depending on the case and needs.

Like that of static risk, required by some campsites or garagesthe. Or theft and fire. They are both variables and for each company they can have different values. THE travel costso they are higher both for fuel (the average higher consumption can be 30/40%) and for motorway tolls, which follow a pricing system based on the number of axles.

Totally maintenance costs are negligible, due to the ordinary maintenance of simple mechanical parts and tire changes. To these we add that of storage which we deal with in the next point.

Where do I keep it?

Wherever possible, it is anyway Street parking is widely discouraged or on public land. Let's remember that the trailer must possibly rest only on its wheels.

Also for reasons of practicality and security as it would be easy to steal it. Lacking your own space it is advisable to store the caravan in special organized structures. Outdoor storage or better yet indoors.

This is a significant cost and varies from facility to facility. It can be close to 500 € in the first case (with positive and downward oscillations). To get to overcome the 1.000 for indoor accommodation. But lets preserve the value of our property intact and to be able to make the most of it to organize outings (washing, loading and unloading, electrical connection for refrigerator, etc.).

In some cases, if we have chosen a permanent holiday using the caravan as a second home, campsites that close in winter offer on-site solutions.

Not just caravans

A caravan is forever, yet it is not a burdensome and binding commitment. In the sense that it is a limited expense that it pays for itself in a relatively short time. And which, above all, does not preclude other types of travel. In fact, the investment made does not oblige us to continue using it.

If we have the opportunity we can also look forward to other experiences with enthusiasm. Continuing to discover emotions, without regrets even if for once the caravan remains safe in storage.

in this In the coming months we will publish other guides dedicated to the various types of caravans. Continue following us.