Towing caravans in the UK: What you need to know
When it comes to living life on the road, even the simple task of doing the washing-up raises a choice - do you tackle the dishes in your caravan’s compact sink, or should you make the trip over to the campsite’s communal facilities? Both options have their pros and cons, that’s for sure!
Let’s take a closer look at each approach to see what’s what…
Washing-up in your caravan sink
The biggest advantage of using your caravan sink is probably the sheer convenience. Everything you need is right there - there’s no need to gather armfuls of pots and pans, no trudging across the site in the rain in your flip flops, and no queuing behind other campers with a heavy load. It’s also likely less stressful - you can take your time without worrying about being in someone else’s way. For those who value independence and self-sufficiency, this option keeps you firmly in control. In terms of what you need to get the job done, you don’t need much, and you can use a collapsible washing-up bowl, which is easy to store.
On the flip side, caravan sinks are notoriously small. Washing up a big frying pan or a stack of dinner plates can feel like a game of Tetris, and water spills can be common, especially if you overfill the sink! Then there’s the waste water - every wash drains into your caravan’s waste container, which fills quickly and needs emptying far more often than you might like. Add in the issue of a bit of condensation building up inside your caravan - especially in the colder months - and suddenly the convenience feels la bit less appealing.
You also need to make sure you’ve got enough water, and keep on top of filling up the tank for this purpose. If it’s hot water you’re after, there’s obviously a small cost involved for the water heater if it involves gas or electricity, or you will need to keep boiling the kettle which can make the whole process take a lot longer…
Ok, so far, not too bad. Let’s see the argument for washing-up with our fellow campers…
Washing-up at the campsite sinks
Campsite sinks are usually far larger and sturdier than anything you’ll find in your caravan. Hot water is often on tap, the draining racks are hopefully provided, and the extra space makes light work of large pots and pans as there may be a bit more room to lay things out. Using these facilities also keeps steam, splashes, and dirty water outside your van, and there’s no need to lug around a waste water container afterwards. Using the facilities avoids the extra wear and tear inside your caravan, too, from water damage on the worktops, and it makes the clean up after cooking a bit easier if someone’s taking all the plates and cooking equipment away for washing so that the surfaces can be cleaned straightaway.
For many, it’s simply a more practical, efficient way to get the job done. There’s also likely to be less build-up of food and grease in the waste pipe, which can get a bit stinky over time if it builds up and isn’t cleaned regularly.
Also, it’s a social thing to go to the facilities - it’s nice to talk to people you might otherwise not do, when queuing or actually getting the washing-up done. You’ve also likely paid to stay over, and therefore the facilities are included in the cost so why not use them…
However, convenience is not necessarily on your side. Carrying dirty dishes and bottles of washing-up liquid across the site can be awkward, especially if it’s late at night, raining (or you’ve had a glass of wine with dinner). On the way back you’ve also got the added pressure of carrying dirty, wet tea towels too… yuck.
The communal sinks can also be busy at peak times, and you might end up queuing or feeling pressured to rush things through. And, of course, there’s the matter of cleanliness - not everyone leaves the sinks as spotless as you might like, which can take the shine off the experience…
Well, there we have it. In truth, neither option is likely to always be the right option - it totally depends on your individual situation. If you’re just washing up a couple of mugs and plates, then doing it in your caravan could be quick and easy. If you’ve cooked a full meal with lots of pots and pans, then heading to the campsite sinks probably makes life a bit simpler. In reality, many caravanners probably do a bit of both - keeping the quick jobs for in the caravan, and saving the heavy-duty cleaning for the campsite facilities.
Ultimately, it’s about balancing convenience with what’s practical. There’s also the issue as to whether you prefer the privacy of your caravan, or fighting for elbow room at the communal sinks! Although, if you are going a bit stir-crazy in the caravan, it might be nice to go and do your washing and drying in another area and escape for a while…
What’s your preference for washing-up? Let us know in the comments!
