Now is the ideal time to start planning your next camping or caravan adventures, as campsites will soon be opening, and you will need to make sure you are ready to hit the road. If you want to start getting ready for your next staycation, one of the most important parts of preparation is getting your vehicle ready to go.

 

The bad weather we have had over the last few months may have caused some issues to your vehicle and in March and the rest of spring, the weather can still be unpredictable, so it is best to get as well prepared for preventing or coping with a breakdown, as possible.

 

Here are some tips for preparing your vehicle before a long trip:

 

Make sure you have had a service or winter check

 

If your vehicle has had a recent service, any issues should have been picked up but if it has been a while since the last service, you could book in for a winter check-up. Some garages offer this service for free or charge a small fee for the check-up that will highlight issues such as tyre tread, low coolant or anti-freeze and battery performance.

 

Pack an emergency breakdown kit

 

If your vehicle does break down, you should ensure that you can be as comfortable as possible, by putting together a kit that includes a warm blanket and clothing like gloves, hats etc. as well as non-perishable food and drinks. Make sure that your mobile phone is fully charged before you set off and that you have the number of your breakdown service stored in your phone.

 

Plan your route and check for roadworks

 

Before you set off, map your route using tools like Google Maps that will highlight any roadworks, diversions or other problems on the route. Spending time sat in traffic that you could have avoided will not be the start to the holiday you were hoping for and it will increase the chances of breaking down.

 

Packing your vehicle

 

Making sure you have enough room for everything you want to take is an important part of the planning, but it is also a good idea to carefully distribute weight to help prevent accidents that could happen if the vehicle is weighted in one main area. Only pack what you really need to take, so that you are not wasting storage space.

 

Storage options

 

If you enjoy going on outdoors adventures then storage options such as roof boxes will be a great investment, as will high quality cycle carriers if you want to go on bike rides. A roof box provides evenly distributed storage to securely carry your belongings, so that your vehicle is less cramped and more comfortable to sit in, as well as being safer as everything is secured down. PF Jones has a great range of different roof boxes to suit your vehicle, which you can find here.

 

Towbar fitting

 

If you require a towbar to mount your cycle carrier onto, or to tow your caravan trailer, make sure that it is supplied and fitted by an expert for ultimate security and safety. PF Jones has the UK’s largest towbar stock to help you to find the best towbar for your vehicle, to ensure safe journeys when you are towing. We also provide an expert towbar fitting service.

 

Book your towbar fitting service in advance to make sure that your vehicle is fully ready for your next trip. Use our instant quote builder here to get a quote in minutes.