Ahhh, Australia… What a beautiful country to call home! And with ongoing restrictions to international air travel, what a country to holiday in.
Research shows more of us are looking to stay local for our holidays this year with online searches for caravan sales up 50 per cent December 2020 compared to the same time in 2019.
If you have a campervan holiday planned in Australia this year, there are many things to consider. Not least of all how to keep your windscreen crack and chip-free while you’re driving along the open road.
At O'Brien® we’ve repaired and replaced our fair share of campervan windscreens and to help you avoid having to do the same on your holidays, we’ve pulled together a few things to be mindful of while driving in your home away from home;
- Trucks. There are lots of them transporting goods all around Australia. Trucks often flick stones which cause windscreen chips. So, where possible, always maintain distance from trucks on the open road.
- You may encounter gravel or unsealed roads or road works on your travels. These type of roads make it easy for other cars and trucks to flick up rocks and debris that could hit your windscreen or chip your paint – so slow down and keep your distance from the vehicle in front.
- Weather conditions across Australia can be pretty hectic. Baking hot one minute and freezing cold the next. While the tendency may be to blast the aircon or heating onto the windscreen to counteract the weather outside, it’s far better for your windscreen if you can maintain a moderate temperature within the vehicle at all times.
- Vandals are out there and campervans can be a target for them. Make sure you do your research on where to stay. Also, read road signs and don’t leave your campervan for extended periods in spots where you aren’t permitted to stay.
As with all road trips make sure you take care while driving. You may find yourself driving in areas where cars are infrequently seen and wildlife abundant. So respect the wildlife that lives in that area by keeping to the speed limit and being extra vigilant of animals near the road at dawn and dusk. To help maximise your visibility on long road trips we recommend regularly cleaning your windscreen and making sure your windscreen wipers are in good working order.
If you do find yourself with a cracked or chipped windscreen, O'Brien® is here to help wherever you are with our national network covering 99% of the Australian population. If you’ve rented your campervan, your first port of call is the rental company. If you own your campervan, O'Brien® can assist you in repairing or replacing your windscreen and can be contacted 24/7 on 1800 059 829.
