BEAT RISING FUEL PRICES:
TIPS FROM HARDINGS CARAVAN SERVICES

A caravan holiday is still the most affordable and best value recreation offering available. Here is a list of nine ways to save valuable fuel dollars on your next trip, thanks to the team at Hardings Caravan Services.

Tip 1: Reduce your speed and maintain 85 to 90 kilometres per hour for highway travelling. This is the most critical factor in reducing fuel consumption and will produce a saving of between 10% and 30% compared with 100 kilometres per hour. Your safety margin will also increase at a lower speed because your rig will be more controllable.

Tip 2: Shift down your automatic manually when approaching a crest or long climb rather than waiting for the car to kick down its self. This is to prevent the engine from “labouring” when it will not be at its most efficient.

Tip 3: Know the most efficient Rev Range for your engine. This is the “comfort zone” of your motor vehicle. Consult your vehicle handbook, talk to your service manager or other owners and look on your dashboard to identify this. Some cars have a highlighted section often between 2000 and 3000 revs on the tachometer. Keeping revs in this range will produce the best economy.

Tip 4: Don’t rule out the use of overdrive and cruise control. This would usually only be in ideal conditions when you were “coasting” on a slight decline or with a tail wind.

Tip 5: Become conscious of wind directions and strength in weather forecasts. If there is a howling head wind tomorrow consider staying another day or reducing your travel distance.

Tip 6: When approaching red lights slow down well in advance to give the light plenty of opportunity to change to green, hopefully avoiding a “standing start”

Tip 7: Maintain your car with regular tune-ups for maximum engine efficiency.

Tip 8: Pump up the tyres on your car. For towing we suggest an extra 10% above the manufacturers recommended normal pressure.

Tip 9: Plan your trip to stay in one location longer. Drive to the regional attractions without towing the caravan.

Hardings Caravan Services has everything for the caravanner, from 'How To' seminars through to service and accessories. Visit: www.hardingscaravans.com.au for details.

SAFARI SEASON IN FULL SWING

The Wildflower & Goldfields Trail (departs 21 August)

Last minute bookings are being taken for “The Wildflower & Goldfields Trail”, this unique 26-day outback adventure for caravans, motorhomes and campers will travel in a large loop around Western Australia, visiting such spots as Geraldton, Laverton, Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Albany, Boyup Brook and lots of great stops in-between. All overnight accommodation costs are included along with a number of meals and some great entertainment including quiz nights, tours and even a bit of boot-scooting! We’re expecting 25 or more vans on the convoy – but it's not too late to join for the experience of a lifetime! For details, visit www.caravansafari.com.au or call Kylie at the Caravan Safari Trails office on 1800 228 517.

The Murray and Wine Trail (departs 10 November)

The third and final Caravan Safari for 2006 is a 28 day wander along the Murray River, stopping to enjoy the wines, food, history and natural wonders of Victoria and South Australia as you go. Departing in spring, the warm days and cool nights will make perfect travel companions. This is sure to be the most popular safari - so don't miss your last chance to experience the Australian Caravan Safaris, visit www.caravansafari.com.au or call 1800 228 517 for a full itinerary.

BLOOMING SPRINg FESTIVALS

Here are three great reasons to start spring cleaning your caravan or motorhome now. Stay at our recommended caravan parks near the show.

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is Australia's longest running annual horticultural event and is renowned as a national Spring icon. Carnival brings together horticulture, entertainment and gourmet foods in a unique culmination of spring celebrations, horticultural excellence and artistic diversity that remains unrivalled by any other Queensland event. From food and flowers, wine and watering cans to music and mulch - the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is blooming brilliance at its best!

Website: www.toowoombacarnivalofflowers.com.au/

Where to stay while enjoying this event:

Floriade

Over one million blooms create a stunning backdrop to a month long festival filled with entertainment and activities. Each year from mid September to mid October, the national capital bursts into bloom with Floriade. More than just flowers, Floriade is a festive celebration with music, entertainment and activities, cultural celebrations, displays and demonstrations, gardening products, arts, crafts and produce.

Website: www.floriadeaustralia.com

Where to stay while enjoying this event:

Trade businesses to visit whilst in Canberra:

Riverland Renaissance

Riverland Renaissance – a two-week celebration which links existing major wine and food events in the Riverland region with new sporting and multicultural celebrations – will be held from 9 to 22 October. The Riverland ‘lifestyle celebration’ will feature the renowned Riverland Wine and Food Festival; the Chef of the Murray promotion; Riverland Wine Week; multicultural dinners and a golf competition.

Website:www.riverlandwineandfood.org

Where to stay while enjoying this event:

Blanchetown Riverside Holiday Park
Quiet, picturesque park on the edge of the River Murray 200m walk to Lock 1 and the oldest hotel on the Riverland. The park features its own private sandy beach with Pontoon for fishing or swimming. Boat mooring facilities in front of park. Activities include: Swimming, Fishing, Boating. Facilities include: Camp Kitchen, Free Undercover Gas BBQs, Large T.V. and Recreation Room, Motorhome friendly sites, dump point, Immaculate amenities, disabled facilites, Modern laundry, Email/fax/STD phone for guests use.

Saunders St, Blanchetown
Phone: 08 8540 5070
Email: holidaypk@bridgeonline.com.au
Website: www.blanchetownriverside.com.au

IT'S SHOW SEASON

Goldfields Caravan & Camping Show, Kalgoorlie, 2 - 3 September 2006

Caravans, campertrailers and camping equipment will fill the centre turf at the Kalgoorlie – Boulder Racing Club on the weekend 2-3 September for the Caravan Industry’s second Goldfields Caravan and Camping Show. Entry is free and opening hours are Saturday from 9.00am to 5.00pm and Sunday from 10.00am to 4.00pm. For more information contact Caravan Industry Australia WA, phone: (08) 9240 8208

Penrith Caravan, Camping & Holiday Expo, 15 - 17 September 2006

The tenth annual Expo is the perfect opportunity for you to see the very best the caravan and camping industry has to offer. More than 120 exhibitors will have displays located either indoors in air-conditioned and carpeted comfort, or outdoors next to Panther’s beautiful lake.

The Penrith Caravan, Camping & Holiday Expo is also a great opportunity to learn. Weekend demonstrations will cover a broad range of activities from caravanning, camping, motorhomes and campervans, to camp cooking, 4WD accessories, off-road touring and pointers on how to plan for that around-Australia trip you’ve always dreamed of.

Website: penrith.supershow.com.au/

RV & Camping Leisurefest, Sandown, 6 - 8 October 2006

The RV and Camping Leisurefest is a three-day, annual event that’s jam packed with over 300 new caravans, motorhomes, camper trailers, off-road vehicles, campervans, pop tops, tent trailers, fifth wheelers, slide ons and 4WDs. It’s a great day out for the whole family (unless of course you’re planning on spending your kids’ inheritance) with free kids’ activities over the weekend and plenty of food and beverages available.

Website: www.leisurefest.com.au/about.htm

TYRE CARE TIPS: Beaurepaires

For a hassle-free journey next time you go caravanning, you cannot underestimate the importance of travelling with tyres that are in good condition. This includes checking that you have the correct tyre pressure for your towing vehicle and caravan. Beaurepaires is urging caravan owners to check and maintain the condition of their tyres because caravans can sit idle for long periods of time, making their tyres susceptible to the adverse affects of the weather.

To ensure that you carry out the correct maintenance procedures on your tyres, you need to have an understanding of the differences between light truck and passenger car tyres.

Light truck tyres are capable of carrying higher loads, and will need higher tyre pressure than passenger car tyres. A light truck tyre can be identified by an LT prefix or a C suffix near the size marking of the tyre. A service description that clearly states the maximum load that can be carried, and the maximum speed that the tyres can travel are also found at the end of the size marking.

After determining which tyres are fitted to your vehicle, you need to know how much your caravan weighs, and adjust the tyre pressures accordingly or purchase new tyres that will adequately carry your load.

"The easiest way to check the weight of a fully laden caravan is on a weighbridge," says Dunlop product manager, Prosper Labb.

Once you have established the weight, you can determine the correct tyre pressure required for your journey by consulting the tyre placard and metal information plate fitted to your vehicles.

Alternatively you can take the certificate issued to you at the weighbridge to your local Beaurepaires tyre expert, and they will ensure that the tyres fitted to your vehicle are able to carry the load, and can also adjust the tyre pressure for you. "Maintaining the correct pressure for your tyres has many rewards including improving the handling and stability of your vehicle, providing even tyre wear, longer tyre life and better fuel economy," says Prosper.

Beaurepaires also recommends that you use the following checklist
prior to departure:
• Are your tyres and rims in good serviceable condition?
• Are you tyres inflated correctly?
• Have you checked the spare tyre?
• Are the towbar bolts tight?
• Are the towbar bearings adjusted correctly for the load?
• Are your brakes operating correctly?
• Are the caravan and trailer indicators operating correctly?
• Is the load as even as possible?
• Do you have clear rear vision when towing?

If you are not sure about the exact requirements for your vehicle, contact your local Beaurepaires store for expert advice and all you need to know about tyres. Call 13 23 81 or visit www.Beaurepaires.com.au to locate your nearest Beaurepaires store.

STEADY ON! STABILISERS EXPLAINED BY AL-KO INTERNATIONAL

Steadies are available in conventional wind down style and also in “drop down” style, where the steady can be swung from the horizontal travelling position to different angles including the optimum position of vertical. The “drop down” corner steady requires only a small amount of winding to steady the caravan.

Drop down steadies are worth the extra money - not to mention pain relief - if you plan to move your van regularly. Alternatively, smart caravanners use a hexagon socket and an electric screw driver to quickly and effortlessly raise and lower the steady.

Steadies can be hot dipped galvanised or zinc plated. Which is best for you? Hot-dip zinc galvanised have about 10 times as much zinc on the surface compared to the zinc plated models and are suitable for use in all exterior and interior applications. Zinc-plated steadies will save you money but should be avoided if you intend spending time in coastal areas.

How do I make sure my steadies will wind up or down when needed? LUBRICATE THEM! Yes grease should be applied to the screw shafts especially when the van sits by the seaside for prolonged periods. Also if you are traveling in dusty conditions, clean the screw shaft threads occasionally and apply some good grease. Then using the steady will become a breeze. When you leave your camp site make sure all of the steadies are raised fully up.

It is important to remember that corner steadies are not designed to be used as a jack or as the means of lifting the trailer or caravan off the ground. They are designed to stabilize the trailer or caravan when stationary. To view the full range of AL-KO International products visit: www.alko.com.au/vehicle/accessories/steadies.html