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Topic: Decision made

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andyfisher

14/9/2012 at 12:36am
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: Adria altea 542 dt Freelander 2

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Put down the deposit on a caravan! OH has persuaded me after tenting for several years Pick up early October after I've been on the caravan club course. There's seems so much to think about and learn with caravans - is it really as complex as it first appears?

nora

14/9/2012 at 7:43am
Location: Whitchurch shrops
Outfit: Swift conqueror 480

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The course should give you confidence . Don't worry just take it steady. I tow my OH avoids it as much as possible . But I don't worry . He is a great back seat driver so he constantly reminds me that it is still behind us.
I think if you have confidence in your car it will be fine. I need to know that my car is in good order and able to tow The weight . Then I just plod along. I even reverse on to pitches.
Just go for it if you don't like it you can always go back to a tent . You will never know till you try.

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feeblecat

14/9/2012 at 7:55am
Location: Scotland
Outfit: Coachman Highlander (Amara)

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Happy days ahead. How exciting. Congratulations.

The Vicar

14/9/2012 at 9:23am
Location: Suffolk
Outfit: Coachman Pastiche 525 4

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Welcome to the Dark Side !!!!

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A Fart is only Natures Ringtone

Finish what you sta

D S B

14/9/2012 at 9:28am
Location: Polesworth Warwickshire
Outfit: Bailey Unicorn III Valencia (LR Disco)

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Welcome to the wonderful world of tin tents andyfisher.

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David

Jax365

14/9/2012 at 9:38am
Location: south cheshire
Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi

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It seems very complicated when you first start - I actually thought what a load of faffing involved, but I had come from a campervan - key in ignition, off the drive and away you go!

Compared to that, the caravan was indeed a faff at first. However the more I did it, the easier it got. Everything seems to go like clockwork now and doesn't take very long to get on the road and away! There's also a lot more room in my caravan with the awning than in the campervan, plus you have a car to go places when you get there!

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savanne1

14/9/2012 at 9:39am
Location:
Outfit:

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congratulations, what van have you bought?

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Thistledown Easter
Nantcol June
Domaine du Verdon Castellane and Etoile d'Argens Frejus Aug

ct955

14/9/2012 at 10:17am
Location: Leicester
Outfit: coachman avocet565 + discovery sport

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You won't regret it. We changed from a folding camper this year and soon got the hang of things. Used the van much more and having a go at some winter outings this year.

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Chris

andyfisher

14/9/2012 at 6:41pm
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: Adria altea 542 dt Freelander 2

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Thanks for all your comments! Hopefully will feel better about it after the course and first trip out. Caravan is an adria altea 542 dt. Liked it because of weight (restricted to 1350kg laden weight), good sized bunks and got everything we need in a caravan.

lyn hathaway

15/9/2012 at 3:13pm
Location: barnsley south yorks
Outfit: 2012 coachman amara 550 5 ford kuga

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happy caravanning andy youll wish youd have done it sooner

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Sandringham 22nd mar - 30th mar
thorpe park 27th apr - 1st july

thorpe park 1st sept 2015- 1st nov 2015
clumber park 29th dec -4th jan

DaveCoaches

15/9/2012 at 4:29pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Coachman Pastiche

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There's less to go wrong when on site with a caravan. While towing safely has a lot more to think about, after a few trips it will become second nature and you won't think about it.

There's a lot more to remember driving the car solo than there is to add to that when you put a caravan on the back, but you don't stop and think about pressing the clutch to change gear or stopping at red lights, it becomes instinctive. Towing a caravan will be the same after a few trips.

While proper loading is important, after a few trips everything will have it's place for towing and you won't think about where to put things to balance the caravan.

michael

15/9/2012 at 4:46pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Caravan now Sold

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great start congratulations on your new van,the CC coarse will help lots.happy caravanning for the future.

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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.

janus

15/9/2012 at 6:05pm
Location: Rochdale
Outfit: Hymer Nova 470 Mondeo titanium 140tdc

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Quote: Originally posted by andyfisher on 14/9/2012
Put down the deposit on a caravan! OH has persuaded me after tenting for several years Pick up early October after I've been on the caravan club course. There's seems so much to think about and learn with caravans - is it really as complex as it first appears?

October caravanning is good fun.

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Bill

For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013

Mondeo Titanium 140 tdci

syemon

15/9/2012 at 6:57pm
Location: Manchester
Outfit: Elddis Jetstream BMW 320D Touring

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Congrats.
We started last year with an ABI Sprinter as I'd never towed before so didn't want something too heavy.
Having done around 12 trips since last June we felt we needed something bigger now I was comfortable dragging a van along.
Can't wait to pick up our Elddis Jetstream EX2000 this week.
Spent today cleaning the Sprinter ready for part exing..
We are chomping at the bit to use it :)

Wish we'd done it years ago.

Good luck with the new van and enjoy it :)

iybyisyl

15/9/2012 at 10:18pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Freelander 2 TD4 Lunar Lexon 530

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enjoy.. it can seem a little daunting.. but take it slow... suggest that you give yourself plenty of time, don't give in to distractions, concentrate.. all good...

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Oh it said walker?

Scoobz

15/9/2012 at 10:32pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

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Welcome fellow newbie.as a first time caravaner this year myself you won't look back. The best bit of advice I could give you is what ever van you buy make sure the dealer gives you at least a hour to explain everything about your new van. Then sit down and read your owners manual fully. If there is any questions don't hesitate to come on this forum and ask. The people on here are extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. Even on caravan sites that you may go on don't be embarrassed to ask for advice , I have not met one fellow vanner yet who has not been happy to help. It will all be a learning curve for you but as someone previously said the more time you go out in your van the more things will fall into place. O last bit of advice just remember why you married your partner when you put a awning up together. All the best and enjoy.

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