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Last weekend we picked up a caravan purchased on ebay for the princely sum of £500! It's a 1987 Sprite Rapide, all bits working fine with full awning. I have NEVER been camping or caravanning in all my 40 odd years and, I know this is silly, but I am really nervous about it! I wanted to try out caravanning after speaking to load of people who love it, and like the idea of the freedom it gives you. I have booked to stay for a few nights at South Cerney at whitsun to see how we get on, I just hope we don't end up looking like complete idiots! DH is really excited about it, as is 10 year old daughter, but the 16 year old is refusing to come!!!! Any tips on how not to look an idiot will be gratefully received (and also how to placate neighbours who are miffed at having the "jan the van" anywhere near their house :)

Cheers

First of all...welcome to the website. If you're nervous now...wait until you've read all the threads on noseweights, maximum gross weights, towing weights, corner steadies, tyre pressures, suspension, which gas bottles, which gas, damp, electrics, carbon monoxide poisoning, being gassed and robbed, to grease or not to grease, hitchlocks, wheel clamps, toilet fluids, cleaning fluids, scratched windows, misty windows, window plugs, leisure batteries, electric hook-ups, TV aerials, dodgy heaters, water leaks, micro switches...to name but a few...

...hope you enjoy your first expedition and that you don't look more of an idiot than everyone else  

thanks Bob! I feel so much better now!!

Anyone want to buy a van.....

Mel

Quote: Originally posted by melbeer on 06/5/2007

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thanks Bob! I feel so much better now!!

Anyone want to buy a van.....

Mel

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You're welcome ...and no thanks, I've got one of my own to worry about.

Welcome melbeer. Just take your time on everything. We all had to learn at sometime so it will be no problem you wait and see.will you be taking just the van or will you be putting up an awning as well. If you are going to put the awning up I would sugest you put the poles together at home for a practice run and you could see if they have been colour coded.

What is your location if its near swindon I may be able to give you a hand etc etc.

Regards

Steve  

Hi all

Thanks for your replies - Yes we are going to take the awning and intend to have a practice run before we start! We live in Gloucester Steve, thanks for your offer of assistance! We have some neighbours with all the set up luckily so we will try out their expertise (they are away at the mo on their second trip!) If we get stuck I'll be posting again....

We just went to the local dealers and had a good look at what we can't afford - Just need to save up 10K (some hopes!). I feel really envious now ,think I'll take a damp cloth and a bottle of Mr Muscle out into Jan the Van and see it that improves her!

Thanks

Mel

Hey melbeer - it's amazing what a good clean can do for an older 'van and please don't feel bad about it - most of us start there - I know we did!! 

As others have said, take your time, we all had to learn the basics some time and it does get easier with every trip - other good advice already given is to stay fairly local for the first few outings - that way you can pop home for anything you've forgotten, or if it really goes wrong, you're not so far from comfort, but I'm sure that won't happen!

You'll find that the majority of caravanners are very friendly and are almost always willing to help / offer advice if they see a fellow 'vanner in distress - struggling with the awning is the international distress signal for caravanners!!!

We're now on our third 'van in just over 3 years - lots of overtime by both of us to upgrade and, now we've got one with fixed bed and all the features we need, we'll be keeping it for a while - if yours has and does all you need, there's no shame in only having paid £500 for it - just think how much that leaves you for pitch fees wherever you want to go - the world is now your oyster!!  (Never quite understood that expression!).

Anyway, welcome to UKCS and to caravanning - I hope you enjoy as much as everyone here does!