A Guide to Caravanning in British Weather
By Anna Jones at Eversure,
1st August 2025, 15 min read
In Britain, summer caravanning doesn’t always promise sunshine – and with Storm Floris named by the Met Office on the horizon, it’s clear that unpredictable weather is never far away. Whether it’s heavy rain or strong winds, caravan holidays in adverse weather are not unusual.
This guide is your cheat code to caravanning in traditional British weather, from packing lists to pitching advice, as smart and sensible preparation makes all the difference. Eversure recognises that British weather is unpredictable; this is why both touring and static caravan insurance policies from us provide vital cover for severe weather such as storms, floods and fire damage. This means you can continue on your caravan holiday knowing you’re well prepared and you are covered whatever the forecast throws your way.
Caravan and Car Checks
If you have a static caravan, skip ahead to the packing phase.
Before you begin driving, you should conduct some checks on your car and your caravan. The most important checks include:
- Tyres: Adequate tread depth no less than 1.6mm. If your tread is any shallower than this, the stopping distance will increase and you are more likely to hydroplane - the grooves in your tyres allow water to escape. You'll also need to check that the pressure meets the manufacturer's recommendation.
- Brakes: Test your brakes are smooth in their response. Inspect for wear and damage as worn brake pads reduce stopping power, which is already compromised in wet conditions. As your brakes are your first line of defence on wet and slippery roads, them being proper functional is imperative.
- Lights: Ensure all your lights on your car and your caravan are in good working order. This includes your brake lights, tail lights, indicators, fog lights and reverse lights, all of which are important, but become even more crucial when visibility is poor. Whilst checking the lights you should also check the electrical plug that connects the caravan to your tow vehicle. It must be clean dry and firmly attached.
- Fluid Levels: Fuel, engine oil, coolant and screen wash must all be topped up if their respective tanks are not already full.
- Windscreen Wipers: Check for signs of visible cracks or wear on the rubber. Streaking, squeaking or skipping are also signs your windscreen wiper blades need replacing. Good wiper blades last between one and two years. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace, so worth doing if you notice any of the aforementioned faults.
- Caravan Sealant: Your sealant must be in good condition to avoid high winds pushing rain into the caravan through small gaps and causing water ingress. Inspect the sealant around roof joints, windows, doors and the awning rail. Signs of wear include it feeling soft to the touch, discolouration, staining and bubbling near the seals. You can reseal yourself, although it can be complicated, or you can get a professional to do it. If you DIY it, please know that you shouldn't apply new sealant over old.
Now that your caravan is safe and ready to tow, you can focus on packing.
- Waterproof jacket, boots and trousers
- Torches and batteries
- Blankets
- First Aid Kit
- Power bank
- Spare towels for wiping things down
- Dehumidifiers and moisture traps
- Spare sealant and tools for applying it to fix emergency leaks
After loading everything into your caravan, you'll need to verify that you've balanced the load correctly. An unbalanced load can increase the caravan's chance of swaying and snaking, especially if it's windy. Proper weight distribution makes for a steady caravan, which is a lot safer. To achieve this, place heavier items low down and close to the axle, and avoid overloading the rear or one side. You'll also need to secure your load both inside and out, as if your items were to shift, your tow can become destabilised. Our article 'The Ultimate Guide to Towing a Caravan' includes advice for packing too; it's worth referring to for more information.
Plan Your Drive
Even if you are not towing and you are just heading down to your static caravan, you should also plan your drive.
Check weather apps regularly and monitor the forecast. If there are particularly high winds (over 30mph), heavy rain or storms expected then it's a good idea to postpone travel.
If the route you plan to drive includes exposed areas, high passes or major bridges, it's worth double-checking that these are open and safe to cross. In a similar vein, confirm that ferries are still operating, as severe weather disruptions can lead to severe delays or even cancellations.
If conditions worsen en route, you should make sure you have a backup plan. This could be figuring out safe places along the route where you can pause for a moment whilst the worst of the weather passes.
Always allow time for your journey to take longer than you anticipate, as delays can happen suddenly. If you have children with you, this is why it's important to always have things with you to help keep them entertained.
Weather and Traffic Information Services
Below are some handy weather and traffic information services to check ahead of beginning your journey.
Executing the Drive
Driving in adverse weather requires you to be vigilant and to concentrate more, especially when traction and visibility are hindered. If you do begin to feel tired, take a break or swap drivers if this is possible - it's not worth compromising your safety just to reach your destination faster.
Ordinarily, thinking distance + braking distance = stopping distance. However, when it's raining and the roads are wet and slippery, the braking distance can increase by two times or more. To compensate for the longer braking distance, brake gently, well in advance and steer smoothly.
Not only does the braking distance increase, but so should the safe following distance. In dry weather conditions, it is two seconds ('only a fool breaks the two-second rule'), but when it's raining, the safe following distance should be doubled to four seconds.
Flooded roads are risky as large bodies of water can cause you to hydroplane, which is when your tyres lose contact with the road. They could also be concealing things like potholes and as you are not able to tell how deep they are, it's best to avoid puddles altogether, or straddle them.
Generally, it's not safe to drive through water that's more than 10cm deep. Different vehicles have different fording depths, but it's highly unlikely that your caravan is suitable. Often, the caravan's floor vent is lower than the towing vehicle's fording capacity, and if water were to enter the caravan, it could cause severe damage to carpets, flooring, upholstery and wooden fittings. Subsequently, it's best to avoid driving through puddles entirely.
If rain begins to fall hard and your visibility is impacted, it is safest to pull over and wait for the conditions to get better.
Passengers should allow the driver to focus and help by staying updated on traffic and weather reports, spotting hazards early and offering navigation support when needed.
Pitching Your Caravan
You should choose your pitching site carefully when the weather is bad. Avoid pitches that are near trees, riverbanks or steep edges as these pose risks in high winds and heavy rain. If you can, you should opt for hardstanding ground or gravel to avoid sinking. Check for drainage too and avoid low-lying pitches where water may pool or flood.
It would be wise to bring along reinforcements to prevent your caravan's steadies from sinking if you know you'll be pitching on a muddy field. This could be things like wooden blocks, track mats and ropes. These will also help pull your caravan out and onto firmer ground if necessary.
For static caravan owners, trim back any overhanging branches that could cause damage. Additionally, clear leaves and debris from the roof and guttering so water can drain and look for cracks around the windows, doors and roof edges. Make sure the base panels are secure too so that wind does not come in through the underneath.
Caravanning in Strong Winds
Touring
Take down any awnings. If you absolutely need this space, use storm straps.
Secure loose items that are outside. If that's not possible, bring them inside.
Use stabilisers and wheel chocks for additional support.
Static
Bring in any furniture that isn't bolted or anchored.
Reinforce the windows and doors with storm bars or locks to prevent them from rattling.
Caravanning in Heavy Rain and Floods
Touring
Raise your caravan slightly or use mats to prevent water from pooling underneath.
Keep electronics and valuables off the floor just in case as water can seep in quickly.
Static
If possible, raise your caravan with axle stands or blocks.
Familiarise yourself with your site's flood evacuation plan.
If flooding is imminent, turn off gas, electricity and water, given that it is safe to do so.
Caravanning in Thunder and Lightning
Whether you have a static or touring caravan, it's best to stay inside it - if it has a metal shell, skin or a substantial frame, then this is ideal.
Touring
Stay off the road when lightning is forecast.
Unplug and disconnect electronics during lightning strikes to prevent surge damage.
Static
Install a surge protector to prevent electrical damage when lightning strikes.
You could also consider installing lightning rods or grounding equipment.
Disconnect external antennae or satellite dishes to prevent lightning conduction.
It's worth labelling your fuse box so you can quickly locate it for a power shutdown in an emergency.
Enjoy Your Caravan Holiday Despite the Weather
You don't have to let a bit of bad weather ruin your caravan holiday! Why not embrace it instead? With the right mindset and gear, it's easy.
Start by getting dressed in all your wet weather gear and heading outside for a walk as, after all, rain can make landscapes look their best. Let your kids have fun and splash in puddles, and you could try a family-friendly activity like orienteering or geocaching. Don't forget to keep an eye out for rainbows, and if you pass a nice pub, treat yourself to a warm and hearty lunch.
If it's not too windy and your awning is up, leave your muddy boots and wet clothes in there to keep your caravan dry and tidy.
When you come back to your caravan, lean into the Danish concept of hygge. Dry off, change into something warm, make a hot drink and settle in. The patter of rain on the roof creates the perfect soundscape for board games, books, puzzles and films.
Final Thoughts
All it takes is a little planning and the right mindset for your caravan holiday to be just as enjoyable, even in typical British rain, blustery winds and dramatic thunderstorms. Check the weather forecast and pack suitable clothing. On site, stay cautious around slippery paths, unstable ground and rising water levels.
Most importantly, make sure you're properly protected. Caravan insurance from Eversure offers essential cover against severe weather, including storms, floods, and fires so you can have peace of mind no matter the forecast.