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We got speaking to some Rallying members of the CC who were talking to us about Rallying.  We've never really considered anything like that before but it seems like good fun, especially for the children so we thought we may give a weekend rally a try.  I know that we would need to have a solar panel bu tis there anything we need to consider having never been non hook up before. 

Ditto to the above,  remember that if it works on 240v only, you will not have it.  So no microwave meals

Most vans are 12v for the important bits lighting, water pump and maybe toilet flush, gas for the heating and chilling so you should be fine for a weekend.

Go forth have fun and if you like it, then come back with Solar request  

But best to start saving now cos' your going to want one for the longer stays.

Thank you - of course Hob top kettle thats a good one!  Not bothered about tv for a weekend, the kids can take their ds's and charge them on the 12v points.  We were talking to two couples, one couple said you will manage fine without a solar panel and the other couple said oh no you need a solar panel so we thought we had better look into it.

We've just been scouring our areas timetable of upcoming rallys and most are fully booked so it looks like its something we will have to try next season - OHs spotted the Golf weekends groan!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote: Originally posted by FionaW1971 on 19/9/2011

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We've just been scouring our areas timetable of upcoming rallys and most are fully booked so it looks like its something we will have to try next season

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We travel around the country doing civil war shows and often are camped from Thurs -  Tues on a field with no electric, we have no telly or microwave and only use the lights of an evening sparingly, we have never had a problem with our battery and only use a  £10 trickle charger from Maplins as backup, this was only purchased recently as it was so cheap.

 I think you have been given a lot of good advice here.  We rally all year round mainly with the Cheshire centre of the Caravan Club.

Do you need a solar panel absolutely not, I've got one and think its great.  But I don't need one for a weekend away without ehu.  All the advice about LEDs light is great as well and once again I have converted all my lights to Led's but I wouldn't bother to start with. 

What I think is important to have enough gas the vast majority of Ralliers will always have two bottles one in use and one spare and if you have on a spare battery,  but if you don't or have forgotton something ask for help, some one will help you out.

To Rally with the Cheshire Centre you have to be a member of the caravan club, obviously if you want to rally with C&CC for instance you have to be a member of that.  If you are a member of the caravan club then you can join a centre for free the advantage to the centre is they get a bit of money from the CC the advantage to you is that you get a rally book which lists the rallies for the year I think Cheshire are running about 125 this year and 136 are proposed for next year so there is a reasonable choice.

The cheshire centre website www.cheshirecentre.co.uk/  You don't have to join your local centre or indeed any centre to Rally just be a member of the club.  I'm sure it not for everyone but we have made some really good friends and enjoy it.  If you want any specific advice then just ask

We started rallying with the C&CC this year when we got the caravan although I've seen tt's & tents on meets as well. Not having to book is a bonus - we just decide if we want to go away & then check the monthly magazine or website for details of meets. As we take along our 10 year old we like to go on childrens meets because we know there'll be someone for her to pal up with & usually lots of activities to keep her busy. She's made some good friends & although we're not a very outgoing couple we've made friends too.

We've managed 2 x 5 day meets with just gas & battery.  Our toilet is manual flush & we don't watch tv much - just a film in the evening .My husband showers every day We take 2 gas bottles & 2 batteries just to make sure we've got power for the motor mover when we get back to storage. Friends recommended a solar panel which we bought but really only to keep my husband happy as he'd seen  other people with them - I think we'd have managed our weekends fine without one.

Now we're coming into Autumn/Winter some of the meets have switched to commercial sites with full facilities but the cost of the pitch is still cheaper than booking direct.

Ooh thanks lots to think about - we have two calor lite bottles so thats not a problem - we'd probably need a spare battery in case we need to use mover.  Solar panel probably something to think about next spring.

We are members of both clubs and we must have been automatically made members of the cheshire group as I have just found a letter and booklet of 2011 rallies.