You might feel overwhelmed by all the accessories available for your caravan when you buy your first tourer.
You can find everything you need, from lightweight tableware to awnings and toilet chemicals, whether you are looking for security accessories or additional comfort items for your caravan.
There is a way out of this maze. You can easily divide accessories into two categories: those you must have and those that are more fun to use later.
We will guide you through the different caravan parts & spares and give you an estimate of the cost.
Containers for fresh water
A simple, white water container can be chosen that you can carry to the tap. However, there are many wheeled water containers available. We recommend looking at them carefully.
These containers are more expensive than small white containers, but they don’t require water to be carried. The good news is that you will only need to refill them about once per day because they have a larger capacity.
These cylinders have two tyres at the edge that can be pulled along. A handle clips to the top or bottom of the cylinder.
Aquaroll is the original rolling water carrier. The brand name has been ingrained in caravan culture in a similar way as Sellotape has infiltrated our language. Aquaroll, which first appeared 50 years ago, still hasn’t monopolized the market.
Aquarolls are available in sizes 29-litre or 40-litre. You can choose from beige (dull, boring), or metallic silver (smart, bright). Fiamma makes a 40-litre wheeled water containers with a different design. There’s an integrated handle at the top. The wheels are located on the base.
Royal, a Caravan accessory company, makes an Aquarius rolling water tank with a similar design as Aquarolls. It is bright blue. Kampa also produces awnings and a 40-litre container in pale grey.
Containers for waste water
There are two options: those that you must carry to the site’s water emptying point or those that you can pull on wheels.
Royal’s 40-litre Waste Warrior comes in bright green. The base of the Waste Warrior is on two wheels and it has a handle at its top. Royal also makes a basic black tank for waste water that has a handle and holds approximately 10 litres.
Aquaroll’s 38-litre Waste Master can be filled by Aquaroll. You can choose from beige or metallic, just like the fresh waste container in the same range.
Kampa also makes a wheeled container for waste water. It has 40 litres capacity and rides on chunky wheels like other models on the market.
Leisure batteries
A battery is required unless your caravan is designed for mains hookup. These batteries are also known as leisure batteries for caravan batteries. They run between 75 and 110amp-hour, and cost between £50 for the 75Ah and £90 to the 110Ah. It’s worth looking around for the best deal on batteries, as with all things.
Caravan steps
All new caravans come with a sturdy, plastic step. An older caravan might not come with a step. There are many options if you want to purchase one.
There are metal steps that fold, steps that don’t, and double steps. Additionally, there are steps that can be used to store small items in boxes.
You can get a caravan step for as low as £7 to as high at £87, depending on whether you buy a Fiamma folding aluminum one. The basic, cost-effective options are fine.
Towing mirrors
Drivers must be able see at least 20m to their rear and four meters to either side of their clothing. Mirrors can be attached to the car’s doors and extended the view along both sides of the caravan.
There are many styles and types to choose from. There are two factors that will determine which style you choose. First, make sure it fits securely onto your car’s mirrors. These vary in shape. Second, make sure you are able to afford mirrors that fit your budget. Generally speaking, however, the higher the price, the better the structure will be. This means less vibration that can distort the image.
For each mirror, expect to pay around £10; prices can go up to about £30. The best advice for mirrors is to shop around and find the lowest price. It is important to test before you buy. Caravan accessory shops can usually help you verify that the mirror you are interested in fits your car’s mirrors.
Why mirrors are important
Extension mirrors are required for caravans that are larger than your car. These mirror-less towers can lead to three points on your driving license and a maximum of £1000 in fines.
Number plate
You will be required to purchase an additional plate for your car to attach to the caravan’s back while you are on the road.
These are available at Halfords and Caravan accessory shops. However, they can also be purchased from car dealerships. You will need to show your vehicle’s ownership certificate before you can get a number plate.
Corner steady winding handle
It’s the cheapest item on your list, but it’s also the most important. Although you can enter your caravan without having to take a step, you must wind down the corner steadies in order to get into a single-axle caravan. Otherwise the rear will tip toward the ground as you walk along it. A decent corner steady winding handle costs around £10
Toilet chemicals
The invention of chemical toilets is a great one. These toilets are easy to empty, clean, and offer a wide range of chemicals for top tank and waste. Top tank additives and waste tank chemicals keep the toilets smelling fresh.
Caravan mains cable
All new caravans come equipped with mains cables. The majority are 25m in length. A caravan that is being sold as a used caravan might still have its original mains cables. Or, the caravan could have been built before it was common to have caravans equipped with supply cables.
Caravan gas cylinders
Caravanners can use propane or butane. Butane comes in blue cylinders, while propane is available in red.
Propane is better than butane if you plan to use your caravan in frosty conditions.
Propane
Calor propane gas is available in several sizes. The most popular is 6kg. There are also smaller cylinders of 3.9kg and larger cylinders of 13kg.
This is the cost arrangement: Your first cylinder will cost you £29.99 plus gas. This is also known as the Refill Agreement Fee. Calor will provide you with full cylinders as a swap for your empty one. You only pay the contents.
A 3.9kg cylinder can be replaced for £15.49, a 6kg one £19.99, and a 13kg one £25.49.
Butane
Butane is available in three sizes: 4.5kg (£15.99), 7kg, and 15kg. (£32.99). Although there are many other gas cylinder manufacturers on the market Calor is the most popular.
Choose the right size
The majority of caravanners choose the 7kg butane or 6kg propane.
Calor Lite
Since March 2008, lighter weight cylinders made by Calor and BP are available.
Calor Lite is 4.5kg empty. The empty BP light 5kg cylinder is 3.7kg. The Calor 6kg standard cylinder weighs 9kg empty. This saves you 5.3kg on your caravan’s overall weight and makes it easier to handle your gas cylinders.
Calor uses a stronger steel for Calor Lite cylinders. This allows the cylinder walls and cylinder to be thinner.
BP Gas Light
BP also makes lighter gas cylinders than the standard. These cylinders are known as BP Gas Light, and they weigh half of a standard steel cylinder. These cylinders are made from fibreglass and semi-translucent so that you can see how much you have left.
The downside to BP cylinders being sold in campsites and caravan dealers is that they cannot be sold there. Instead, they can only be purchased at Homebase stores (of which there are 300), so it’s easy for you to find one. You can see how much gas you have. They are available in sizes 10kg and 5kg.