The owner’s kit · via Amazon
The owner’s kit
A short shelf of practical things static caravan owners need, with what to look for in each. Check your park’s rules before adding anything outside the caravan, and leave any work on the gas supply to a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Alarms and fire safety
Carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are the most important things on this shelf. Anything that involves the gas supply itself is a job for a Gas Safe registered engineer — see safety.
-
Carbon monoxide alarm
An alarm that sounds if carbon monoxide builds up. The NCC recommends two in a holiday caravan, and NCC member manufacturers now fit them in all new holiday caravans.
What to look for
- Marked as meeting BS EN 50291
- An audible alarm that’s loud enough to wake you
- A test button you can reach easily
- The battery type and life printed on the pack
Fit one in the hallway near the bedrooms and one in the main living area, test them monthly and replace them about every five years (NCC).
-
Smoke alarm
An early warning of fire. If you let the caravan in England, the government’s fire safety guidance covers where smoke alarms should go.
What to look for
- A sealed long-life battery, or one that’s easy to change
- A test button you can reach easily
- Interlinked alarms if you want them all to sound together
Letting in England? The guidance suggests smoke alarms in escape routes, living areas and bedrooms — see letting your caravan.
-
Heat alarm
An alarm for the kitchen area — where the government’s fire guidance for paying-guest accommodation suggests a heat alarm rather than a smoke alarm.
What to look for
- Designed for kitchens
- Can be interlinked with your smoke alarms if you want them to sound together
- A test button you can reach
That guidance covers England; see letting your caravan.
-
Fire blanket
A fire blanket to keep in a case on the kitchen wall.
What to look for
- Quick-release pull tapes
- A wall-mounting case
- A size that suits a caravan kitchen
Damp and winter
The NCC says older caravans used in the cold months suffer more condensation, seen and unseen, which can affect their life and value. Never block the caravan’s ventilation to keep the cold out — see maintenance and winterising.
-
Dehumidifier
Pulls moisture out of the air while you’re staying, to keep condensation and damp down.
What to look for
- A size that suits the caravan’s floor area
- Auto switch-off when the water tank is full
- A hose outlet if you want to drain it continuously
- A noise level you can sleep with
-
Moisture absorbers
Non-electric tubs or bags that soak up moisture from the air — handy in cupboards and while the caravan is empty.
What to look for
- Refillable containers, so you only replace the crystals
- Sizes that fit wardrobes and lockers
- A lid that stops spills if knocked
-
Pipe lagging
Foam insulation for the water pipes you can reach.
What to look for
- The right inside diameter for your pipes
- Self-sealing seams
- A material rated for outdoor use if any pipes are exposed
Lagging doesn’t replace a drain-down. NCC model agreements require insurance to cover water freezing in fixed systems — check whether your policy needs the caravan drained down for that cover.
-
Min–max thermometer
Shows the highest and lowest temperatures since you last reset it — a simple way to see how cold the caravan got while you were away.
What to look for
- Records minimum and maximum readings
- An outdoor sensor if you want both readings
- A clear display and a long battery life
Water, storage and security
Practical bits for the pitch. Check your park rules before you add anything outside the caravan — and remember the space around and under it must be kept clear.
-
Drinking water hose
A hose made for drinking water, for filling containers or rinsing out at the start of the season.
What to look for
- Sold as safe for drinking water
- A length that reaches your nearest tap
- A reel or bag to keep it clean between uses
Ask whether your park offers drain-down as a service before you do it yourself.
-
Outdoor storage box
A weatherproof box for outdoor bits such as chairs, cushions and the hose.
What to look for
- Weatherproof lid and seals
- A lockable catch
- A size your park allows
On holiday parks in England, the Model Standards don’t allow combustible things to be stored under or between caravans — ask the park where a box can go.
-
Key safe
Lets family or a trusted helper get in without you posting a key.
What to look for
- A resettable code
- A weatherproof cover over the keypad
- Fixings suited to what you’ll mount it on — and your park’s permission
-
Rechargeable lantern
A light for power cuts and for walking back across the park after dark.
What to look for
- Rechargeable by USB
- Several brightness settings
- A hook or handle for hanging
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We don’t test products and nobody pays us to list them.