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After all the useful tips I got to sort my mould problem, I thought I'd pick your  brains  a bit more. There are a couple of little niggly bits and pieces that perhaps you've got solutions to. (We've got a Panda, by the way)

1. How do you stop things falling down on either side of the fridge in the kitchen? And how do you go about getting things out again that have fallen down?

2.Do you leave the awning on when folding the unit up? Where does it go? Does it take away much space from  the top of the beds?

3. I've read about nose weight and caravans. Does this affect trailers as well? Why is it important and what do you do about it?

4. How often do you service the trailer and who do you get to do it - if you don't do it yourself?

I'm sure there are more things, but that should do for the moment. I'd appreciate  your thoughts...

Quote: Originally posted by dotty52 on 04/04/2005

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After all the useful tips I got to sort my mould problem, I thought I'd pick your  brains  a bit more. There are a couple of little niggly bits and pieces that perhaps you've got solutions to. (We've got a Panda, by the way)

1. How do you stop things falling down on either side of the fridge in the kitchen? And how do you go about getting things out again that have fallen down?

My combi-camp doesn't have the plush kitchen unit yours has, but how about using some barbecue tongs to retrieve things?

2.Do you leave the awning on when folding the unit up? Where does it go? Does it take away much space from  the top of the beds?

The new Venezias fold away with the awning on.  I unzip ours, but chuck it on the beds before folding the unit up - there's still room for the awning poles, 4 folding umbrella chairs, 2 sleepmats, roll up table, toilet tent, zip in bedroom, wash stand, BBQ stand and clothes airer!

3. I've read about nose weight and caravans. Does this affect trailers as well? Why is it important and what do you do about it?

Yes - its the amount of weight exerted on your towbar by whatever you tow - too much will knacker your car's chassis!  You should see a plate on your towbar / towing hitch which tells you what the maximum noseweight for your car is.  (Depending on the age of your car - my Morris Minor doesn't 'cos I made the towbar!)

The noseweight is not the same as the actual weight of the trailer - if you put all the trailer's weight at the front end - the noseweight will go up.  It's best to concentrate the weight over the axle (not at the back end otherwise the trailer will try to "see-saw")  HOWEVER - trailertents are much lighter than caravans, even with all the extra paraphernalia packed in / on them,m so noseweight tends to be less of an issue.

4. How often do you service the trailer and who do you get to do it - if you don't do it yourself?

Ummm - I usually put grease on the greasy bits once a year, and check the tires at the same time.

I'm sure there are more things, but that should do for the moment. I'd appreciate  your thoughts...

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Thanks a lot Fran. We've tried the BBQ tongs but I'm afraid they don't work [- the gap is too narrow.

Not sure what to do about the nose weight thing though it sounds as if we could just forget it.

We'll definitely try leaving the awning on next time - gee I wish the weather would gert warmer again. Last weekend was so lovely, I was getting my hopes up and now winter is back...

 very hard to get things which slide down between fridge, I have used a flat spatula blade covered with one of the dust master cloth things -that and being careful is about all you can do .

 We always leave the awning on our venezia - it packs up fine and there is plenty of room - it's a big help if it's pouring on your next pitch