KEEPING YOUR VAN SAFE DURING YOUR HIRE
Luxury Caravan Hire is committed in supporting you during your hire & with over fifteen thousand hires over the past decade, we would like to share our knowledge with you to ensure a trouble free hire experience. Unfortunately, accidents can happen but it is our experience that most of the damage sustained during a hire can be completely avoidable so below is a guide in how to mitigate common damage during your hire with us. Let us take you through some of these.
Caravan Awnings
The vast majority of the damage to awnings is a result of leaving the awning out during adverse weather conditions. Strong winds/gusts and/or rain can damage the awning arms, tear the canvas, bend the roller as a result of water pooling in the canvas and even damage the sidewall of a van. We suggest monitoring the weather closely using the BOM Weather app or any other reliable source before embarking on your trip and during your vacation. If you notice that the wind is picking up or you plan to leave the van unattended for an extended period, we strongly advise putting away the awning. The weather can change rapidly, and failing to retract it while heading to the beach can prove to be a costly mistake.
Damage/collisions when you're parking or moving a Caravan
Whether you are towing a caravan / camper trailer or driving a motorhome / campervan, parking and manoeuvring in a small area can always be a challenge. Damage, scratches and dents caused when moving the van around a park / campsite account for over a third of avoidable damage claims. We understand that reversing into your site, with an audience of other campers can be a little daunting, but it’s really important to take your time. Before attempting the big reverse, carefully study your site / pitch and consider where the power & water connections are, proximity to your neighbours and the direction your door & awning will be facing.
The importance in having a ‘Spotter’
It is highly recommended to have a spotter from your group while reversing or manoeuvring any type of van. This person can provide better visibility and prevent scratches and dents caused by obstacles like posts and trees. Having a spotter can be really helpful in avoiding such frustrating damages. When maneuvering a caravan, it can be challenging to hear the guidance from your spotter. To ensure clear communication, we suggest simply suggest a two way discussion via phone. If you are inexperienced in towing, for a fee, we can supply you a drop-off solution where we can tow and set up your van at your chosen destination thereby making the process easy and stress-free for you.
Handover of your Caravan
We understand that you may be eager to begin your holiday once you have finished packing, but it is essential to allocate ample time for a thorough handover. We suggest approximately an hour to review everything in detail, including how to hitch up, open windows, set up awnings and pop-tops, and pack everything away. Do not hesitate to ask us to demonstrate tasks more than once if you are uncertain, and we recommend attempting some of these tasks in front of us to ask questions along the way. Many of our holidaymakers prefer to pick up their caravan the day before to pack at home and depart at their leisure the following day.
Please don't forget that our team is always available to provide support and assistance throughout your entire hiring experience. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call us at 07-3808-6222. We are here to help.
