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HI

My wife and I are thinking of going away in oct/ Nov for weekends but my wife has used up most og her holiday, could leave at 4.30 but may get there when dark.

Is it easy to set up in the dark, sorry a newbie to caravaning

Depends upon how much light there is on the site, what the weather is like, and what you mean by set up.   Getting the caravan on the pitch is much easier with a mover (I find).  Connecting the electric & sorting out water and waste is generally not a problem, providing you can see what you are doing and you know where you have stored everything and it is easily accessible.  If all as you want to do is basically sleep, then you could get away with just the electric.  If you want to eat then under such circumstances we would probably find a pub, but remember that most would stop serving at about 9pm.  If you want a drink, make it beer or wine and wash up the next morning! 

Personally, I wouldn't put up an awning in the dark.  I'd save that until the morning.  Apart from the light, sometimes the last thing you want to do when you are tired is put up an awning. 

Setting up can also depend on things like what you carry in your van and how much is 'in the way' on the floor.  I always keep absolutely everything from off the floor of the caravan - everything is in cupboards or under the beds.

If you plan it carefully then it is quite possible to set up in the dark, within these limitations.

You do say you are new to caravanning.  If you are going to set up in the dark, make sure you can do in in the light first.  I wouldn't recommend setting up in the dark for a first time out, and probably noit a second either.

Hope this helps.

You need good communication trying to reverse on to a pitch when its dark.

We once set up in the dark at Clumber Park and said we would never do it again.OH always stands where i cannot see her in the daylight so it made it much worse in the dark.

A head torch can be quite useful to set everything else up.If you need an awning get a porch awning for weekends and put it up in the morning because if its not up right you will be listening to every creak all night.

Andy

hi

we have been once and have 3 more trips booked until end of september. we have ehu and onboard water and the loo so should be ok as caravan lights are 12v so fingers crossed will be ok

thanks for the help

A good torch is essential. Preferably two.  Reversing on to the pitch is easy, my wife stands where we want the back corner of the caravan to be, and I just aim at the light.

Everything else is just the same as in daylight.  As previously advised, a walkie talkie and a head torch are very useful.  I have both but don't bother with them unless the position is really difficult.

Sorry I don't have an awning, but from what I have seen of them, that's probably best left until next morning.

Jim

getting on site at night shouldnt be a problem..

I like the idea of the walkie talkie for comunicating ( i may start using mine in the day let alone night as my helper hides out of veiw and bellows at top of voice) also the walkie talkie idea will stop you disturbing neighbours aswell.

as long as you can get van somewhere close to where it needs to be water and waste set up power on and legs down you could always do the rest next day.

Quote: Originally posted by jaysere03 on 24/8/2009

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"i may start using mine in the day let alone night as my helper hides out of veiw and bellows at top of voice"

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hi

thanks for the replies think we will go away then

Quote: Originally posted by the-saint on 24/8/2009

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Quote: Originally posted by jaysere03 on 24/8/2009

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"i may start using mine in the day let alone night as my helper hides out of veiw and bellows at top of voice"

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 Hahaha -  my OH does exactly the same, and thinks that I can turn it round on a sixpence.

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We have set up in the dark many times both on our own and at  rallies  with the help of others and not had any problems with either.   If you have things you would put in the awning pop them in the car over night but we try to manage without the awning for weekends Good luck  

Lynda