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Hello,

I am new to this site so forgive me if I am in the wrong section. I have taken the plunge and just bought my first caravan and have no idea AT ALL about caravanning. My first questions really are just making sure my husband doesn't need a special licence to tow (!), what general tips and advice can you offer me as a complete caravan virgin, and can I pull up one of the bench seats at the back to make room for a cot? Any tips on caravanning with infants? (14 months old).

Thankyou so much!

Oh, anyone heard of the make Cosalt? I have bought one and cannot find any info at all on them, other than a mobile home website. It is a '86 Cosalt Abbey SR, if that helps x

 hi just to say welcome to the site you will soon be like  the rest of us addicted. Sorry cant be of much help but someone will be along soon no doubt with help

welcome to UKCS.

BOB

Hi and welcome to the site

 I'm not sure about it but your van could be an Abbey Cosalt sr

on the towing front when did your oh pass his test if it was before 1997 I think he does not need to worry if after that date he can only have a combined weight of 3.500kgs

Advice for towing remember the caravans wider than your car use your tow mirrors and you have to take corners that little bit wider & slower

there should be a plate on the caravan either near the door or on the a frame which will have the weight onit there will be 2 weights the higher one is the max weight if your car and van have a combined weight of less than 3.5 tonnes you will be ok your disco will be about 2.25 tonne fully loaded so you could tow a van of up to 1250gks

if your outfit is going to weigh more than this then your oh would have to sit a towing test to stay legal

Blimey,

It is a very small caravan, from the outside it looks like a 2 berth. Single axle little one. Eeek! I have bought it now!

may help

Driving Licences
A full (not provisional) driving licence is required to tow a caravan. From 1 January 1997, new category B (generally held as 'normal' car entitlement) vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kg Maximum Authorised Mass allowing a combined weight of up to 4.25 tonnes MAM OR a trailer (for example a tourer) over 750kg MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM. This would mean that many drivers who possess only a category B on their licence would be able to tow a caravan provided it was not heavier than their car, and that car and caravan combined, does not weigh more than 3.5 tonnes.
New drivers of outfits over these limits must take a category B + E test.
Further information from: Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA)
www.dvla.gov.uk

Speed
Towed outfits may travel at up to 50 mph on single carriageway roads and up to 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways. Towed outfits are not permitted in the outside lane of a three or more lane motorway unless other lanes are closed.

Hi sounds like you're in a similar boat to us.

We bought a van because we didn't want our little monkey (now 14 months old) keeping the whole site awake in a tent, or waking up at 4.30am because it's too light!

we used to put her in a little travel cot / pod thing on top of the rear double bunk but now she's in a big cot, we removed one of the bench seats, just 5 or 6 little screws..no problem.

Best tip: we also sewed blackout linings onto the rear of the curtains and re-hung them so she stays asleep until 8.00 'ish...It's not morning 'til we decide it is!!

Apart from that, don't park too close to anyone else, and for a really good night's sleep, let the little one have the whole van to themselves and sleep in the awning!!

Our's now loves the 'vanning life, especially watching daddy trying to hitch / unhitch successfully.

Have fun