1st caravan- tips and tricks please
Discussion
We've had a trailer tent for a few years but decided we wanted to make life a little easier for ourselves. So we've taken the plunge and bought a caravan
We won't be picking it up for a week or 2 and the dealer will be taking us through it when we pick it up, but we are completely new to caravanning so would appreciate any advice/tips/tricks.
We won't be picking it up for a week or 2 and the dealer will be taking us through it when we pick it up, but we are completely new to caravanning so would appreciate any advice/tips/tricks.
Always know how much gas you have left before heading off to the arse end of Scotland.
If you are spending an afternoon hunting for gas in Scotland, you may as well buy a gas spanner whilst you are there.
After spending a morning hunting for the missing gas spanner, and an afternoon shopping for one - even if you do remember that you put it in the glovebox for safe-keeping, keep schtum and stick to the original story that it must have fallen out of the locker.
And remember a corkscrew and bottle opener - but you probably knew that anyway.
If you are spending an afternoon hunting for gas in Scotland, you may as well buy a gas spanner whilst you are there.
After spending a morning hunting for the missing gas spanner, and an afternoon shopping for one - even if you do remember that you put it in the glovebox for safe-keeping, keep schtum and stick to the original story that it must have fallen out of the locker.
And remember a corkscrew and bottle opener - but you probably knew that anyway.
Make sure you're actually licensed to drive it - they don't mention this in the Showroom! You either need B+E on your licence or you venture into the horribly complicated maths involved in towing on just a B licence: https://www.gov.uk/towing-rules
I always keep a spare breakaway cable in the just in case
A lot of good info here: http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/expert-advice/getting...
I always keep a spare breakaway cable in the just in case
A lot of good info here: http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/expert-advice/getting...
Some good tips I've gleaned as a recent convert:
Small spirit level on the worktop to help you level the van on arrival.
Depends on the layout of your van, but a mattress topper as an extra level of comfort to a made-up double bed. You can roll it up with the duvet for easy removal/storage.
Short bit of 4x2 and a bathroom weighing scales to check your noseweight.
Industrial type polystyrene as lightweight support blocks.
Store your beers in the fridge for the trip - ensuring you have a nice cold one to open on arrival
Small spirit level on the worktop to help you level the van on arrival.
Depends on the layout of your van, but a mattress topper as an extra level of comfort to a made-up double bed. You can roll it up with the duvet for easy removal/storage.
Short bit of 4x2 and a bathroom weighing scales to check your noseweight.
Industrial type polystyrene as lightweight support blocks.
Store your beers in the fridge for the trip - ensuring you have a nice cold one to open on arrival
therealpigdog said:
Always know how much gas you have left before heading off to the arse end of Scotland.
If you are spending an afternoon hunting for gas in Scotland, you may as well buy a gas spanner whilst you are there.
After spending a morning hunting for the missing gas spanner, and an afternoon shopping for one - even if you do remember that you put it in the glovebox for safe-keeping, keep schtum and stick to the original story that it must have fallen out of the locker.
And remember a corkscrew and bottle opener - but you probably knew that anyway.
If you are spending an afternoon hunting for gas in Scotland, you may as well buy a gas spanner whilst you are there.
After spending a morning hunting for the missing gas spanner, and an afternoon shopping for one - even if you do remember that you put it in the glovebox for safe-keeping, keep schtum and stick to the original story that it must have fallen out of the locker.
And remember a corkscrew and bottle opener - but you probably knew that anyway.
hornetrider said:
Some good tips I've gleaned as a recent convert:
Small spirit level on the worktop to help you level the van on arrival.
Depends on the layout of your van, but a mattress topper as an extra level of comfort to a made-up double bed. You can roll it up with the duvet for easy removal/storage.
Short bit of 4x2 and a bathroom weighing scales to check your noseweight.
Industrial type polystyrene as lightweight support blocks.
Store your beers in the fridge for the trip - ensuring you have a nice cold one to open on arrival
FIL is donating his nose weight measuring thingy, spirit level I have in my camping toolkit, mattress topper I'll have to sort out.Small spirit level on the worktop to help you level the van on arrival.
Depends on the layout of your van, but a mattress topper as an extra level of comfort to a made-up double bed. You can roll it up with the duvet for easy removal/storage.
Short bit of 4x2 and a bathroom weighing scales to check your noseweight.
Industrial type polystyrene as lightweight support blocks.
Store your beers in the fridge for the trip - ensuring you have a nice cold one to open on arrival
Beer in fridge, way ahead of you
Microchips said:
Make sure you're actually licensed to drive it - they don't mention this in the Showroom! You either need B+E on your licence or you venture into the horribly complicated maths involved in towing on just a B licence: https://www.gov.uk/towing-rules
I always keep a spare breakaway cable in the just in case
A lot of good info here: http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/expert-advice/getting...
I'm licensed I always keep a spare breakaway cable in the just in case
A lot of good info here: http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/expert-advice/getting...
I'l have a read through that.
crikey said:
Thanks for the guidance all.
I'm thinking of doing one of those caravan driving courses, although I've towed a fair bit in my time so I'm wondering about the value to me. What do people think if them ?
I haven't bothered. Not to blow my own trumpet but if you're even halfway competent behind the wheel it's a piece of piss. I'm thinking of doing one of those caravan driving courses, although I've towed a fair bit in my time so I'm wondering about the value to me. What do people think if them ?
Spare Wheel. Make sure you have an inflated and working spare wheel. And make sure it's a good one. Anyone who tells you you can get away with a tube of tyre inflater thingy is off their head. If you get a puncture on a van, ALL the weight falls on to the punctured wheel and it's destroyed in seconds. Had four punctures over the years and not one has been even faintly repairable.
First one I had was just coming out of Rennes in France early hours of Sunday morning and no spare. Had to sleep in the van till Monday when the shops opened and I could buy a new tyre.
So I'll just say again GET A SPARE WHEEL and check it.
First one I had was just coming out of Rennes in France early hours of Sunday morning and no spare. Had to sleep in the van till Monday when the shops opened and I could buy a new tyre.
So I'll just say again GET A SPARE WHEEL and check it.
Spare wheel - need to check
Carbon Monoxide Detector/Alarm - check
Smoke alarm - check
Fire Extinguisher - check
Fire Blanket - really ?
Leg winder - check
Spare bulbs - need to check
Gas spanner - need to check
Head torch (if you arrive onsite at dark you'll need it for winding the legs down) - check
Beer - check
Fold up chairs - check
Kettle - check
Carbon Monoxide Detector/Alarm - check
Smoke alarm - check
Fire Extinguisher - check
Fire Blanket - really ?
Leg winder - check
Spare bulbs - need to check
Gas spanner - need to check
Head torch (if you arrive onsite at dark you'll need it for winding the legs down) - check
Beer - check
Fold up chairs - check
Kettle - check
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