Urgent care tips for your towcar in winter

Continuing to use your caravan is the best way to keep it in good working order throughout the winter, as long as you take precautions to stay safe.

This also applies to your towcar, which is responsible for getting you and your trusty caravan to its destination.

With this in mind, Ellie Macsymons, consumer expert at NetVoucherCodes, has put together eight tips to help towcar drivers avoid any nasty surprises.

Check your tyres before setting off

Tyres are your towcar’s first line of defence against icy roads, which are common in many areas of the country at present, making proper grip essential for safety and efficiency.

Ensure your tyres have at least 3mm of tread for driving throughout the winter months and keep them inflated to the recommended pressures, as underinflated tyres reduce fuel efficiency.

Keep your battery charged

It’s a little-known fact that cold weather reduces your battery’s ability to hold a charge, which can leave you stranded midway through your journey to a holiday park.

Check your battery’s voltage before long journeys and if you’re unsure how to do this, many local garages will test it for you, often for free.

Keep fluids topped up

Low or incorrect fluids can cause damage to your towcar in winter conditions, but winter-grade screenwash can prevent freezing and improve visibility while towing your caravan.

Some towcars also benefit from winter-grade oil, so check your manual to see if it applies to yours. It’s cheaper to top up than deal with engine damage, so be proactive in your approach.

Protect your windscreen and wipers

Ice and grit can pose a threat to your windscreen and wipers, but be wary of quick-fix hot water solutions such as running a bag of hot water over your windscreen, as these techniques can cause damage by cracking the glass.

Stock up on de-icer sprays and use a scraper to remove ice and a soft cloth for any grit on your windscreen to stay safe.

Monitor fuel efficiency

Cold starts and longer idling times often lead to more fuel use in the winter, but there are ways to improve fuel efficiency.

One useful tactic is to keep your caravan as light as possible, as towing a heavy load uses more fuel, so try not to pack any unnecessary items.

Check your lights

Winter’s shorter days and foggy conditions make lights more important than ever for visibility and safety.

Check lights on both your towcar and caravan regularly to make sure they’re in top condition and clean them for maximum brightness, replacing any dim or flickering bulbs promptly.

Wash your towcar regularly

Salt and dirt thrown up from winter roads can corrode your towcar’s body and undercarriage, making regular washing, including the underside, a must-do.

It’s easy to think that the rain at this time of year will do the job for you, but there’s really no substitute for specialist products and some personal attention.