I'm not sure if I'm on the right site or not but am really new to caravaning so bear with me. We have just recently bought a caravan and even more recently a tow car and thought we would try and get out for Easter. We have not caravaned before and thought tonight we would try out the electics. First things first! We are not too sure what we are doing wrong as we can't get the lights to work. We have connected up to the mains and the fridge light comes on but the interior lights don't seem to be working. Any helop would really be apprecated.
If the lights are all on the 12v system, it might be that the 12v are turned off. On many vans there is a switch panel with a master switch for 12v. Some vans have a switch, usually near the door that controls the 12vc lights. Most vans have both 12v and mains lighting--do the mains light work. Have you found the fuse box and checked the fuses? I assume you do have a leisure battery fitted. Not much more to say without more information.
Brian
------------- there are 10 types of people in this world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
Thanks Brian for the tip it did have a master switch and it is now working. The van is a Bailey Ranger 470/4. Yes we do have a leisure battery fitted. It's all a bit confusing when you have never owned one before. Thanks again.
pearl
Hi guys just about to try out the van for first time this weekend, hope everything goes ok. Hubby is refusing to go on one of those courses people talk about so just pulling round the estate to begin with terrified really cut i know we'll get there eventually.
We were both clueless when we got our first-ever caravan last month. We both went on a CC towing course and it was invaluable. Some of the things they taught us you would just never have known and probably only have found out the hard way after damaging the caravan or the car, or worse. Although still complete novices, we both felt much more confident after the course.
Thanks Ab I know people have said they are good but he a bit on the stubborn side and said he doesn't need to go. I don't intend to tow the van at all, do you think it would be any good me going with him (i might stand a better chance at convincing him if i went too i suppose) or is it only for people who are intending to tow do you think??
No, not necessarily. They go through hitching, levelling nose weight and other stuff. They also show you how to avoid jack-knifing and how the hitch can become compacted and smash into your car's bumper - something you couldn't possibly know unless someone told you.
We had to go separately as we have no-one to leave our dogs with for a day, so I went on my own. There were 3 other "lone females" of various ages and one lone male on my course, as well as some couples. It is easier if you can go as a couple as you don't have to swap cars over all the time but you'd be fine on your own and you get more practice at hitching up! We've only been out twice with our van up to now so I haven't towed it yet but I do plan to and it's good to know that I can if I have to, if OH broke his ankle or something like that. Also, when we're hitching & unhitching, I sometimes remember things that OH has forgotten.
I know it's not rocket science but when you've never done it before you do need someone to show you the ropes.
What year is your Ranger? If you don't happen to have the full owners handbook, there's a 2007 copy at my link here.
I can sympathise to a degree ref. hubby on towing course, but to be fair if you're anxious I'd encourage he considers it. As Absurdbird mentions, the course will cover issues that you wouldn't necessarily be aware of otherwise. There law relating to towing isn't hugely complex, but it's not just a case of hitch-n-go and you might just save a costly mistake.
Thanks Ab might give it a go, we took it out today and it seemed to go fine, OH drove it quite well, we took it on small roads to practice reversing and on a few major roads. Still feel like I would like us both to go on the course tho!
Cheers Paul we have the book but many thanks for taking the time to answer, it's great that so many people are willing to give advice which is needed when you are starting out!!