With interstate border restrictions now eliminated and with the February/March east coast rain events abating, many caravan owners are ready to hit the road and enjoy caravan holidays and travel experiences that have been ‘on hold’ for some time. While summer is of course the busiest time for holidays in Australia, the April-May period also represents a very popular time to getaway. Easter this year is followed by the Anzac Day long weekend. Presenting a great chance for many to extend their time off over the full two weeks.
Autumn in Australia is also a great season for holidays. In many areas the weather is still very warm and ideal for outdoor activities. In others, it has that exhilarating chill in the air. Something many outdoor enthusiasts adore. To enjoy autumn caravan holidays now could be a good time to buy a RV with finance while secured caravan finance interest rates remain low.
But as camping and caravan enthusiasts plan to head off the Caravan Industry Association has launched a safety campaign. The association advises caravan and RV owners to take precautions and pre-plan their trip to ensure they have a safe and enjoyable holiday.
Recent research by the organisation indicated that there was a ‘pent-up demand’ for travel and 62% of those surveyed thought Australia had been less impacted as a result of the coronavirus pandemic than many other countries.
That means more RVs on the road and with many not having the opportunity to get away for some time, a possible increased risk of overlooking some of those basic precautions and safety measures.
Safety Campaign
The industry body has launched a campaign around many issues of safety associated with caravan and RV travel. The information covers the pre-planning stages of the trip; managing fatigue while on the road; the proper use of the rest stops and truck rest areas; preparation of the RV; road-sharing especially with trucks; towing tips; using shared spaces in caravan parks; pool safety and other matters.
In a statement posted to their website, the Caravan Association reveals some interesting statistics from Road Safety Research to take notice of:-
- Monday and Sunday are when RV users are more likely to be involved in a road crash as this is the popular time for returning from a holiday.
- The most likely timing for crashes is 10am to 12 pm.
- Crashes are more likely in urban areas but fatalities more likely on regional roads.
- The most common reasons for crashes are: rear ends 18%, angle/turning collision 14%; and 13% from losing control.
The digital and print materials for the safety campaign involve videos, online quizzes as well as email, social media and other digital content. For more information and access to where to source these materials head to https://www.letsgocaravanandcamping.com.au/safety/
Towing Guide
That website also includes a very handy Towing Guide to refresh skills for RV owners. As long-term caravan owners know only too well, there’s a lot more to towing a caravan than simply hitching it to your towbar. But with so the surge in caravan sales over the past two years, there a lot more new RV owners on the roads that perhaps do not have that same level of skill, experience and understanding of the risks and implications of towing.
Download the guide for more information and consider reviewing your info on towing weights with the National Towing Calculator Matrix.
Equipping Your New Caravan for Safety
When purchasing a new caravan it can be wise to specifically ask the dealer about the accessories and options available to make your RV safer. Both safer on the road and when parked-up. There may be options which can be included at the time of purchase and as such included in your Secured Caravan Loan.
With caravan loan interest rates still at historic lows at the moment, it can be a smart move to include the cost of any accessories in your loan rather than pay for them separately after-purchase. Speak with your Jade Caravan Finance consultant about the possibilities.
To see how the cost of any or all safety equipment available may change the repayments on your caravan loan, use our Caravan Finance Calculator for estimates. This is a very handy buying tool for working out estimates on different priced makes and models and for deciding how you would like your loan structured. Using the calculator can provide guidance around the number of years you would like the loan term and assist with making decisions around opting for a no deposit caravan loan or not.
Safety on the roads is a responsibility of all road users. When buying a new caravan, ensure it is up to standard and when travelling, be careful and be a responsible and considerate road user.
Contact Jade Caravan Finance on 1300 000 003 to discuss your caravan loan requirements
DISCLAIMER: THE DETAILS AND INFORMATION IN THIS CONTENT ARE PREPARED AND PRESENTED PURELY FOR INFORMATION AND NOT INTENDED IN ANY WAY AS THE SOLE SOURCE OF FINANCIAL ADVICE FOR CARAVAN PURCHASING. IF ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL ADVICE IS REQUIRED, READERS SHOULD REFER TO A FINANCIAL ADVISOR. NO LIABILITY IS ACCEPTED FOR ANY ERRORS, PRODUCT DESCRIPTION VARIATIONS, OR OTHER MISREPRESENTATIONS OF INFORMATION AS PRESENTED.
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