Making the Most of Driving in Your Car

5 Steps Towards Environmentally-Friendly Caravanning

7 January 2016

Greg Sutton

Caravanning naturally involves plenty of driving, so it isn't often seen as a particularly eco-friendly pursuit. However, there are some tips and tricks that you can use to slash your impact on the environment, and most of them come with the added benefit of allowing you to enjoy your trip all the more.  

1. Buy Local

Buying from supermarkets usually means taking food that is flown in from overseas. Local stores or markets, on the other hand, will give you the chance to buy locally-sourced produce. You'll enjoy fresh food, help the local community, and lower your carbon footprint by avoiding food that has consumed resources simply to arrive at a store.

2. Consider a Solar Panel

Utilising solar power is one of the best ways to fight back against environmental damage.  A fixed one is preferable – it will go right onto your caravan to provide eco-friendly electricity. Just remember to let your insurer know that you will be making a modification.

3. Buy Used

If you haven't actually invested in your caravan yet, try buying used caravans instead of new. The benefits include a lower price, greater selection, and, of course, the fact that you'll be reducing your carbon footprint by picking up a caravan that has already been made. Use the money to extend your adventures, or, hey, buy a solar panel.

4. Buy to Last

When you're moving from place to place, it's easy to pick up cheap, one-use items that can simply be thrown away once you're done with them. Paper plates and cups are on the top of the list, but there are plenty more. Those products will have consumed resources unnecessarily, and will often have to be sent to land-fill. Instead of reusables, make sure you get something that will go the distance.

5. Don't Camel Up

Caravans are heavy enough without having to hold unnecessary items, so ask yourself whether you really need something before you take it with you, especially if it's on the larger side. It might not seem like it, but those items can add up to make a big difference to your use of fuel while driving. Water is particularly heavy, so avoid filling your tanks to the brim if you know you'll soon be arriving at a campsite.

6. Unplug

Finally, take some time to seriously evaluate which electronic items you need to bring with you. Your caravan is your home away from home, but that doesn't mean you need everything you'd normally have. TVs and computers can distract you from enjoying the trip, so leave them at home and prevent them from draining energy from your caravan's batteries.

Going eco-friendly on your caravan trip comes with a wide range of benefits, so make sure you take these tips into account.

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