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my tip .......enjoy

not all 'vans have issues and I am sure your's will be problem free

Quote: Originally posted by bobsbabes on 11/3/2010

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my tip .......enjoy

not all 'vans have issues and I am sure your's will be problem free

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Very true words, remember that people shout louder on forums in complaint compared to praise.  Forums can give a doom and gloom feeling to everything.

One of many great ideas earlier in the thread was about videoing the handover.  As a few vans now have TVs with DVDs and failing that a good many people bring their own, perhaps vans should come with a 'how to DVD'.  Our Pyramid Awning did and it was very useful for the first few times we did something that was completely new to us

Thanks guys!  Some nice words there and lots of great advice.  I'm excited but a little scared too with it being our first van and being newbies to this!!  Hey ho, bring it on.

And ready to take the pi$$ watching you reverse cos they think they are sooo good!

I remeber when we got ours last year and everyone just watch me struggle setting up, but when we left the guy next door came out and comented on my reversing i just said it what i do for a living.

Sheer muppets!!!

Remeber JUST take your time and chill

Best tips on here (IMO)

Have Fun

Take your time

Read the manuals

Then you go through the

"What did he say about turning this on?" "Can't remember"

"Why isn't there any gas?" "Have you turned it on?"

"Can you remember what this is for?"

"That bloke on the message baord said we should have a bucket. I see why now!"

"Should have checked that we had a big enough spanner to turn the nut on the gas cylindar"

Its all about learning as you go along. Its one great long learning curve. You are learning all the time so you may as well start on day one as well as day 15 years and 20 days!

Expect to make mistakes but enjoy them and learn from them.

Take your time. Think about what you need to do and when you have done it, stop and ask yourself whether you have missed something. Always look round the van to see if you have left something lying around, especially when leaving a site. Don't leave the caravan mover remote on the garden wall like I did. Its no use there.

Read the guidance from the CC. Write out a checklist of things to do and remember the law....its the men who empty the toilet cassette......so I'm told

Phil  

Quote: Originally posted by D S B on 11/3/2010

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Don't forget to either take a car registration numberplate for the back of the caravan, or to take the necessary documents with you if you have arranged for the caravan dealer to make up the number plate for you.

We picked up a new van once.  Dealers said they would make up the numberplate.  We took documents.  Half way down the M6 realised both the dealer and I had forgot all about the number plate and I was driving illegally.  Keele Services gave me a piece of card and the loan of a felt pen - but it's still illegal I think.

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Have Fun.

We fetched our first van inn October and they gave us a full rud down and said no question was too silly. I had to ask all sorts of silly stuff. They were really good though so just ask and make notes. Read the manual.

We also took our first trip with experienced van owners and that was very handy but nothing is real rocket science if you take it slow and logically.

Only thing is check the electrics on the car. New vans have a fancy 13 pin plug thing and you need an adaptor to fit into the two sockets on the car. The dealer will have one but they are about £30 so be ready. Numberplate also. And if it has an Alco hitch you need a special tow ball but again the dealers sorted that for us.

Oh have fun the adventure beging now x x x x

dont believe anyone that says there will be plenty of help .......we had people watch us burn our clutch out :o(

no help was offered until everything was done if you want help ask ! people will always help if you ask

I hope you enjoyed the hand over of your new caravan & that you're pleased with it. Don't worry about the nightmare reports you'll see on here, I'm sure your van will be lovely & I hope you'll let us know how you got on with it when you got it home.

Enjoy it

BB

Firstly, enjoy getting your new van and take your time looking around.  Let the dealer do his bit first when you're attentive and then don't be rushed just tell him you'd like to have a good look around and check it out in your own time.  I'm sure your van will be fine not all vans have faults. 

The best tip I can pass on when you go on your first trip is don't press any buttons until your husband tells you to.  That way its always going to be his fault!  I should really pay more attention as I don't think I would even know how to set the caravan up now.  I get the water, while he does all the other bits, then I get the kettle out and thats me about done.  I then get asked if I've flicked the switch from battery and my stock reply after 4 years is "No you havent told me to yet".  He he - caravaning is easy. 

Quote: Originally posted by Ace Van on 14/3/2010

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Firstly, enjoy getting your new van and take your time looking around.  Let the dealer do his bit first when you're attentive and then don't be rushed just tell him you'd like to have a good look around and check it out in your own time.  I'm sure your van will be fine not all vans have faults. 

The best tip I can pass on when you go on your first trip is don't press any buttons until your husband tells you to.  That way its always going to be his fault!  I should really pay more attention as I don't think I would even know how to set the caravan up now.  I get the water, while he does all the other bits, then I get the kettle out and thats me about done.  I then get asked if I've flicked the switch from battery and my stock reply after 4 years is "No you havent told me to yet".  He he - caravaning is easy. 

 

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So have you told us how the pick up went...how the van is etc or have I missed that?

Phil