Top tips for caravan security

Caravans are fantastic if you want the ability to tour the UK and further afield on your own terms. However, they can be the target of thieves. You need to think carefully about security, including when you have them at home, in storage, or at a park. We want to have a closer look at some of the things you can do to protect caravans. Then, if you want to book a pitch at one of the most impressive caravan parks in Yorkshire, you can speak to us.

Alarms

The first thing to look at is getting an alarm for your caravan. They are a good deterrent, making it harder for thieves to silently steal caravans or the contents. Crucially, they can also alert people to the presence of thieves. This is fantastic on caravan parks and if you have the caravan at home.

There are a number of different options if you want a caravan alarm. You need to have a look to see which will be best for you. Consider the reliability, features, and coverage. Make sure you look at systems that offer movement and tilt sensors; they will trigger the alarm if there is movement in the caravan or if someone moves it without authorisation. It is also important to think about power. The best systems have a backup battery.

Keep in mind that the services can differ with alarms too. Some systems will send a notification directly to you if there is a problem. Others will be monitored, so someone at the monitoring company will notify you and potentially the police if there is a problem. There will be additional costs here though.

Wheel clamps

One of the best things you can do is invest in some good wheel clamps. They are great for any location, including caravan parks in Yorkshire like Parklands, your own home, or a storage facility. They work to immobilise the vehicle by ensuring the wheels can’t turn. The most important thing here is to ensure you choose clamps that will withstand an attack. Therefore, they should be robust and durable. Plus, make sure a thief couldn’t simply deflate the tyres to remove them.

Immobilisers

Another option if you want to prevent a caravan from moving without authorisation is to choose an immobiliser. They can fix the wheels in place, preventing theft.

Hitch locks

It is also a good idea to invest in hitch locks. They go over the towing hitch, covering the assembly fixing bolts. As a result, they prevent someone from hitching the caravan to a vehicle. They are a great visual and physical deterrent. Make sure you choose a durable lock that will resistant forced attempts to remove it.

Trackers

GPS technology is better today than ever before. You can get trackers that can effectively locate vehicles, even if they are moved hundreds of miles or even overseas. What you need to do here is choose a system that will give you the best chance of recovering the caravan if it is stolen. So, make sure you think about the power supply. Ideally you want a discreet tracker that you can install where it will be incredibly difficult for a criminal to find. Plus, make sure it is hard to remove, tamper with, or disable.

Book a pitch at one of the greenest caravan parks in Yorkshire

Parklands is a lovely caravan park in a great part of North Yorkshire. It is quiet, green, and even has two private fishing lakes. All pitches are hard standing and include full electric hookup. We’re the ideal base to explore the area.

So, if you want to book a high quality pitch at one of the loveliest caravan parks in Yorkshire, get in touch with us. We’ll answer any questions and give you friendly advice if you need any tips.

Holiday lodges can be a fantastic investment. They give you the chance to have breaks whenever you want. In addition, they can be a great source of income if you decide to let them out at other times. Whatever you do though, you need to keep on top of maintenance to get the most from your lodge. We want to have a look at the most important things to focus on here. Then, if you want to browse wonderful lodges for sale in Northallerton, you can have a look at Parklands.

Main things to maintain

There are a few crucial things you need to focus on with lodge maintenance. They have the biggest potential of leading to serious problems, so being proactive is very smart.

Firstly, make sure you check the roof and gutters regularly. The last thing you want is roof or gutter damage because it can cause leaks, flooding, and serious structural damage. Inspect often for signs of trouble, and make sure you get rid of leaves and other debris so it doesn’t build up and become a problem.

Staying on the topic of water damage, it is also really important to check the plumbing and drainage regularly. This includes sinks, toilets, showers, and baths. A slow leak or a blockage can cause a lot of damage over time. If you’re not going to visit the lodge or have guests for a while, it is vital to make sure there aren’t any leaks or issues.

Ensuring your lodge is safe and secure is important. Sadly, criminals can strike anywhere, even holiday parks. You should ensure every door and window is in good condition and can lock securely. Don’t give any potential thieves an easy time of getting in and taking what they want. If you come to Parklands and browse holiday lodges for sale in Northallerton, you can check out the high quality locks on the windows and doors.

Fire safety is another crucial thing to think about if you own a holiday lodge. There are two main areas to keep an eye on. First, make sure you check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working; they may need a service. Second, regularly check the electrics to make sure there are no hazards like damaged wires. If you have a fire extinguisher, check it periodically too.

Finally, it is a good idea to maintain tiles, worktops, grout, and sealant in your lodge too. This can maintain the appearance of the kitchens and bathrooms, preventing discolouration, mould, and other problems.

A key thing for letting

Owners can earn a really healthy income from letting their holiday lodges. However, a really good tip is to ensure you occasionally overnight in the lodge yourself. It is the best way to spend time in it and get a feel for everything. You will be more likely to spot issues than you would with a quick inspection. Make sure you use appliances to test them.

Incredible holiday lodges for sale in Northallerton

Parklands is one of the most stunning settings in North Yorkshire. Our park is in the heart of the countryside, with great views to enjoy. We also have two private lakes for fishing, a cafe, and other great amenities. You can own a holiday home here if you want the perfect luxury bolt-hole.

We recommend you have a look at the different models on offer here. They’re all beautiful and have high specifications. The size and layout can vary to suit various needs, including 2 or 3 bed lodges.

So, browse holiday lodges for sale in Northallerton at Parklands today. If there’s anything you want to know, or you want to get a price, you can contact us; we’d love to help you.

Whether you’re new to caravanning or have been part of the community for years, you need to ensure you have the right skills. One of the most important is the ability to hitch and unhitch to your towcar. We want to have a closer look at this today to give you a little guide. Then, if you’re ready for a break and want to book a pitch at one of the best caravan parks in Northallerton, you can speak to us.

Before you start

There are a few crucial things you need to do before you start positioning your towcar and caravan. Firstly, make sure everything is right with them, including the weights. Secondly, ensure you have a suitable towbar and it has been fitted correctly. Thirdly, check that both the towcar and caravan are under control and won’t move unexpectedly. Finally, check the instructions from the manufacturers, including the car, caravan, and towbar. If you need some more help, you may be able to get a demonstration from the caravan dealer.

Positioning

When you’re ready, the most important thing is to position the towcar and caravan properly so it is as easy as possible to manoeuvre. Ideally, make sure you have someone to help guide you, especially if the ground is sloping.

Start by adjusting the height of the caravan hitch, ensuring it is above the towball. You do this with the jockey wheel. When you’re happy, you can gently reverse your towcar into position. Always ensure you take care here and have enough room to manoeuvre. You’ll have no trouble if you stay at Parklands; we’ve created one of the best caravan parks in Northallerton, ensuring pitches have plenty of room.

Hitching

Next, you need to connect the breakaway cable. This is an important safety device that will apply the trailer’s brakes if it separates from the towcar. It prevents the caravan from slamming into the back of the vehicle or rolling into traffic. You must ensure you attach it properly, providing enough slack that it won’t pull taut and disconnect when you are manoeuvring.

Now you’re ready to connect to the towball, making sure the hitch is fully down over it. The most important thing here is to ensure you always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep in mind the process itself can differ depending on the towbar; there can be different coupling heads and handles, plus newer ones typically have integral stabilisers. It is good practice to double check couplings to confirm everything is secure.

Your next step is to retract or remove the jockey wheel. Make sure you do it by hand and don’t overtighten if you’re retracting it. If you remove it, put it safely in the caravan or towcar, ensuring it won’t move around.

Finally, you need to connect the electrics. This is vital to ensure all the lights are working. It can be a wise idea to get the dealer to demonstrate how to do this too so you understand the arrangement. Ultimately, every time you connect, make sure the connection is secure and test the lights.

Stay at one of the most unique caravan parks in Northallerton

Parklands is exactly what you want from a caravan park; a quiet, green setting in the Yorkshire countryside with quality pitches and good amenities. There is plenty of space, making it easier to hitch and unhitch caravans. The location is also ideal for everyone, especially if you want to spend some time enjoying local history or two of the UK’s best National Parks.

So, why not book your break today? You can learn more on our website and see why we are one of the favourite caravan parks in Northallerton. Then, you can contact us if you want to secure a pitch for your dates. Keep in mind we’re open all year round too!

Choosing your towcar is one of the most important things if you enjoy touring with a caravan. You’ll need the vehicle to ensure you can drive safely and do everything you need to, including hitching up and overtaking. But, how do you decide? We want to have a look at the most important details here. Then, if you want to book a plot at one of the most impressive caravan parks in Yorkshire, you can have a look at Parklands.

Weights

The most important thing to look at is the weight of the towcar. It will have an impact on the caravans you can tow. The Caravan and Motorhome Club recommend you always ensure the total weight of a loaded caravan is less than the total weight of the vehicle. They suggest aiming for 85% or as high as 90% if drivers have experience towing a caravan.

It can be a little confusing here because some vehicle manufacturers will claim their vehicles can tow more than the kerbweight. However, while it may not be illegal to do so, it can compromise vehicle performance and safety. The best thing to do is calculate the full laden weight of a caravan and then choose a slightly heavier towcar.

Power

The next thing to look at is the engine power and torque the towcar will offer. Both are vital to ensure you don’t have issues with performance. Most people will have had an issue following behind a car towing a caravan. In many cases it is because the power to weight ratio is wrong, compromising acceleration and top speed. It can easily result in drivers unable to overtake when they are towing a caravan.

What you need to do is think about the fully laden weight of the vehicle and the caravan. You can then factor in the power. The Caravan and Motorhome Club recommend aiming for 40bhp/tonne. Think about the torque here too; high torque at lower driving speeds is great. Talk to us about caravan parks in Yorkshire.

What type of engine?

One of the best things about buying cars at the moment is there is so much choice in terms of engines. You can go for classic petrol or diesel, hybrids of both, and full EVs. However, it does make it trickier to decide what to choose for a towcar.

Traditionally, diesel cars had an advantage over petrol in towing terms. This goes back to the torque; generally you get more at the lower end. Hybrids are notable because the electric motors increase torque and fuel economy, while reducing emissions. EVs are an option, but you need to think carefully about the impact on range and charging.

Gearbox

Finally, think about the gearbox. Most newer vehicles will be automatic. In fact, stats last year said just 24% of popular new models are available as a manual. Luckily, automatics can offer benefits when towing caravans. There can be less wear and tear and fantastic low speed control to make hitching easier. Manuals are still useful though, especially when driving in conditions where you want to hold at lower gears for braking.

Book a plot at one of the most comfortable caravan parks in Yorkshire

At Parklands we have the perfect plots for tourers. This includes full electric hookup and plenty of space for various needs, including additional cars and awnings. We also have really great facilities, including a cafe and shower block. If you’re passionate about fishing, you’ll love our fishery. The two lakes are full of carp, bream, roach, and more.

We’re one of the most popular caravan parks in Yorkshire because we give visitors a warm welcome, great value for money, and a lovely setting. So, have a browse today or contact us.

Brits get a lot of mockery for our fascination with the weather. We also get a fair bit for not being able to handle it when it’s hot. The truth is it gets really humid here and a pleasant mid 20s can quickly become sticky and uncomfortable. Luckily, we can do different things to keep cool, even when staying in a holiday lodge or caravan. We want to have a look at some tips here. Then, if you want to browse the finest lodges for sale in Northallerton, you can look at Parklands.

Cross breeze

One of the best things you can do is create a cross breeze. Open windows and/or doors at each side of the lodge or caravan. It will allow the air to blow inside, flow through the interior, and then escape out the other side. This will keep fresh, cooler air flowing in and get rid of warmer air.

Curtains or blinds

It might sound counter-productive, but closing the curtains or blinds on the sunny side of your lodge or caravan can help with cooling. It can reduce the amount of solar heat radiating in.

Outdoor space

It’s always nice to have a shady area outside where you can sit if it gets too hot inside a lodge or caravan. So, an umbrella or gazebo and comfy chairs are a good investment. If you have a deck, setting up here is a great idea.

Fans

One of the things that stands out with the lovely lodges for sale in Northallerton at Parklands is the quality of the designs. They have wonderful interiors with high spec fittings. You will appreciate the number of sockets in summer, because you’ll have plenty of places you can plug in fans to circulate air and keep it cooler. Just remember to think about how much energy they use and whether they are safe if children are around.

Air con

If you want to invest in a reliable, energy efficient solution, you may be able to get air conditioning for your holiday lodge or caravan. Portable units are good because you can move them room to room to suit your needs. Again though, make sure you think about energy consumption and running costs.

Bedding

Light, thin, airy bedding is a must for hot summer months, especially in a lodge or caravan. You definitely won’t need that thick winter duvet, even on the coldest days. Materials with natural fibres are great. Or, choose a modern material that can offer moisture wicking and breathability.

Temporary relief

Finally, it can help to have some cooling spray ready. Sprays are great when it is humid. A quick spray can help you or a room to cool down. Focus on the face, hands and feet; cooling them can work wonders.

Find wonderful lodges for sale in Northallerton

Parklands is a wonderful site if you want a holiday lodge or caravan park in a beautiful piece of Yorkshire. We’re proud of how green, spacious, and relaxing it is here. We’ve also got some amazing amenities, including two private lakes for fishing.

We recommend you have a look at the exceptional 2025 holiday lodges for sale in Northallerton here. They have top specs, including comfortable interiors and lovely finishes. Then, if you want to learn more or enquire about pricing and availability, you can contact us.