The COVID-19 pandemic has really thrown a spanner in the works for our 2021 travel plans. Instead of packing your suitcases to go jet-setting overseas, many people are opting for a ‘stay-cation’ in a caravan this year. Not only is this a great way to explore your home country, but it also gives you lots of freedom to choose where you go and for how long.
One thing’s for sure, when you’re embarking on a long caravan holiday, you need to make sure you have the right equipment from the get-go. The last thing you want is to be hundreds of miles away from home and feel like you’ve got to turn back for something!
When it comes to caravan essentials, you will of course need your toothbrush, spare clothes, entertainment etc. but a lot of people neglect to pack those ‘non-essential’ items that really make the journey a lot more pleasurable. One of which, is a humble ladder. Now we’re not talking about packing up your 12ft extension ladder and slotting it in the back. We’re talking about foldable hop ups and telescopic ladders and step ladders that are compact, portable, and very handy.
What can a hop up be used for?
While out on the road, a fold-away hop up can be a very useful piece of kit. If you’ve got children or grandchildren tagging along, they might find it difficult to reach higher parts of the caravan like light switches and cupboards. If you’re cooking dinner or relaxing on an evening, having a folding set of steps handy will relieve some of the pressure and make your little guests feel a lot more independent. Better yet, your hop up can double as a sturdy platform when you’re cooking outside!
What can a telescopic ladder be used for?
Telescopic ladders are ideal if you’re going on a caravan holiday because they’re incredibly compact and can extend to give you access to various parts of the caravan. Touching on the point above, if you have children going on holiday with you, a telescopic ladder can provide easy access to bunk beds or mezzanine beds that are just out of reach. During the day, when everyone is out of bed and active, the telescopic ladder can be easily folded out of the way so it’s no longer a trip hazard.
On top of this, telescopic ladders can come in handy if you need to access the roof of your caravan. Some caravans have a ladder attached to the side for this purpose, but many don’t! If something goes wrong with your overhead fan/sunroof – or if you want to give your caravan roof a quick clean, you’ll find a telescopic ladder perfect for the job.
What can a step ladder be used for?
Step ladders are also a great option for caravan equipment because they’re able to offer height whilst being stable on their own. Why might you need a step ladder? Well, some caravans give you the option to increase your living space with an awning, however, awnings can be notoriously hard to attach without the right equipment.
A step ladder will give you plenty of stability so that you can attach your caravan awning with ease. When your done, your step ladder can be folded flat and stored in the storage compartment, ready for the awning disassembly later on.
So, there you have it, to answer the question ‘should you take a ladder on a caravan holiday?’ – yes you should! Portable ladders are versatile and useful on the road.
