A caravan holiday can be the epitome of a carefree experience, regardless of your current level of physical ability. That being said, when taking any kind of trip away from home, planning is absolutely essential to having a worry-free, hassle-free experience.
5 Preparatory Caravan Steps For Disabled People
In addition to making sure that you invest in a fully accessible model of caravan (one with accessible washrooms, hand rails, accessible sleeping areas, etc.), before you leave on your trip you should take the following steps:
1. Make sure you can enter and leave your caravan easily. Depending on your level of ability, you will either want to invest in a sturdy set of access ramps or caravan steps for disabled individuals. (Caravan steps for disabled individuals are akin to typical caravan steps, but also include supportive hand rails.) Powerstep lifts are another viable option (lifts are particularly useful when a person cannot easily navigate inclines).
While it’s tempting to look for used access ramps and/or caravan steps, generally this is not advised. There is no way to gauge the safety of used equipment purchased from marketplaces like Ebay, and a broken ramp in the middle of your holiday will present a grave inconvenience. Save yourself the potential hassle and buy new instead.
2. Purchase any necessary driving aids. It’s generally a good idea to at least purchase an electric motor mover to help you move your caravan while it’s not hooked up to a vehicle. You may also wish to buy an infrared steering device if you plan to drive the vehicle your caravan is hooked up to.
3. Double check that the sites you wish to visit are accessible. Today, many campsites within the UK have excellent disabled access. That being said, there are (unfortunately) still exceptions to this rule. You should therefore verify that any campsite you wish to visit is completely accessible before you finalise your trip plans. (If you’re not sure where to look, the Caravan Club offers extensive resources to help disabled travellers locate accessible campsites.)
Remember that what makes a site accessible is not limited to just its facilities: You will also want to check for paved, mostly-level pathways to the main areas of the site if you have limited mobility.
4. Consider getting caravan insurance that covers your mobility aids. Mobility aids represent a significant investment, and while theft of such items is rare, it’s better to be covered in the event of any unexpected loss.
5. If desired, place a ‘Help Welcomed’ sticker on your caravan window. These stickers, which are available from the Caravan Club, notify camping site staff that you may need assistance.
Once you have taken the five steps above, you should be well on your way to having a fun, worry-free holiday. Caravaning is one of the best—and most leisurely—ways to see the UK’s beautiful countryside, so you’re sure to return home with a wealth of treasured memories.