Don't know how old your kids are, but our youngest two (an active 2 year old and a baby) need to be kept contained so we use a windbreak to make a little 'garden' area and also have a stair gate on the van door to stop the 2 year old escaping from the van - handy when putting up awning and setting up !
Good luck, hope you enjoy it!
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Well said Maid Marian - going "local" is the best and easiest way to experiment without getting caught out. I have owned a number of 2nd hand vans over the years and always do a trial run to a local site overnight before embarking on a "real" trip. Gives me the chance to check that I have everything and everything works ok. No matter how carefully you plan there will ALWAYS be something you havent got - but then thats part of the fun of caravanning - its surprising how ingenious you can be when the need arises. On little thing I would suggest, start an "odds and sods" box in your van. Over time you will find it filling with all kinds of screws, washers, grommets and all the other paraphernailia. You will be surprised how often you find the right bit (or something close to it) when the need arises
------------- hawk
"Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone"
I have the body of a greek god - its in my freezer
I dont think it really matters about being a newby! Firstly go to a site thats about an hour away and if you find you either dont have something you can either go to a caravan shop nearby then leave it in the van or if you have one but left it at home then ask your neighbour onsite, we had an experienced family of tenters by us last time out and they had forgotten their mallet ,plus its a good way of meeting people!!!!!
Dont forget your steps!! I did once and it was a right pain getting in and out of the van. in the end up I bought a plastic one even though we had metal ones at home. I bought a travel kit for my caravan and campervan. They were around £15 each and have a low wattage kettle, iron and hairdryer in them. Brilliant for the sites and you always forget your own from home. They never trip the electric either. Scissors, electrical and Duck tape are always good for odd jobs as well!! Go away local and see what you could do with and then write a list and laminate it. My caravan and camper are ALWAYS packed with everything and we only ever need to put in food and clothes!! Happy vanning!!
------------- Jan:Braids Gretna, Feb Stanwix Park Silloth & Braids Gretna,
hi mummy to four good luck with your van ,have fun don't worry.go to a site close to home for your first trip and then you can always drive home to get what you have forgot.
you will find in time you will sail through setting up and packing up.in between have fun.and if all else fails ask the wardens for help or the people in the next van..most are very willing to help.
i remember him himself helping a family put their awning up and the pair of them just couldn't get it to go right a few beers later their sitting their and figure the problem the panels were the wrong way round .
Hi mummy to four,we have only been caravaning for 2 years but we still laugh at our first outing.The setting up of the van was quite easy but the awning well that was a nightmare,lots of poles and a huge bit of canvas. But you will be amased at how helpfull other caravaners are. Two men in the caravans beside us come over and helped us put it up, even put tape around the poles so next time we would know what pole went to what.Go local and enjoy it.
Dont take any notice of the neg post, one day they will need help and lets hope they dont get it.
You will soon get the hang of things and its one of those hobbies that you never stop learning as you go along. I personally enjoy the fact that it just gets better all the time. I took it up a few years ago and then stopped after a terrible time with my ex, I thought I would never return to it, but since meeting Sue, we are itching to get back to it and have ordered a new van. Cant wait to back out there. You will love it too.
Hiya mummyto4, we only got our van in july and only had our first trip in it last week. thourghly enjoyed it cant wait till next w/end. we only went to skegness but it was a good learning curve, we only forgot one or two minor things and they were'nt a problem but a couple of things you must take are towing mirrors, wheel brace and jack for your van(our car does'nt have a spare wheel) and a waste water container otherwise get out and have a great time. Bill
------------- Bill n Kay
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when the going gets tough... get someone else to do it.....
I smile besause I have'nt a clue whats going on... appreciate everything in life especially your friends...