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Subject Topic: Hi from a newbie Post Reply Post New Topic
01/5/2011 at 11:35pm
 Location: Great Yarmouth
 Outfit: Fleetwood Garland 148 2 SB Volvo S40
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Hi all

I'm a newbie with lots of things that I need to know about, hope someone can help.

I have a 2004/5 Volvo S40 2Ltr S.E. Diesel and have just bought a 1991 immaculate Fleetwood 148/2 SB Tourer, I'm having a Witter fixed flange towbar fitted together with twin electrics via a smart 7 way bypass.

Can anyone tell me if I can get a manual for the van and if so where, I've got manuals for everything inside and outside the van but not for the van itself.

What does 148/2 SB stand for? I guess the 2 means 2 berth but what are the other numbers for?

Can anyone tell me the best noseweight to go for please considering the above setup?

Is a 50mm ball the correct size to have considering the age of the van?

How do you fix up for 2 gas bottles so that when one runs out you can simply turn that one off and the other one on?

Where do you empty the toilet cassette when on site and how much do they hold?

Do I need a torque wrench, is it advisable to have one?

What are the best towing mirrors?

What pressures should the van tyres be set at?

What torque should the caravan wheels be set at?

That's about it for now before I get thrown off before I get started.

Best regards to all.

UKTech


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UKTech
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02/5/2011 at 12:11am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
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Youve really thought that thru,   anyway wellcome to the clan and i think their all in bed just now..

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Animals have feelings..

JEFF................


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02/5/2011 at 12:33am
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Various tents
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I'm guessing the 148 refers to the body length in feet and inches, and the SB may be Side (as opposed to End) Bathroom?

Chemical Disposal Points are usually marked as "CDP" or sometimes "Elsan".

A torque wrench is advisable.

Not sure about all the other questions, but you'll find tyre pressures and some other bits of information here.


02/5/2011 at 12:34am
 Location: Great Yarmouth
 Outfit: Fleetwood Garland 148 2 SB Volvo S40
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Thanks Jeff

I've tried to sort most of it out and really want to get going.
I've sorted storage from a friend and we've been there today and enjoyed being in the van. I can't tow yet until the towbar is fitted but that will hopefully be next weekend, I've bought the bar and electrics off the web and my mechanic (he does my servicing and MOT for me) is going to fit it all on Saturday as long as it all arrives this week after the hols.

I will retire in August this year and want to travel the country so thought this was an easy way to do it all.

I spent many years towing in my youth so hopefully it will all come back to me.

I'm just stuck on the things in my post and hopefully someone will help with some of them.

I'm off to bed now so I'll say good night and get some ZZZZZZzzzzz....

UKTech


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UKTech
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02/5/2011 at 12:35am
 Location: Great Yarmouth
 Outfit: Fleetwood Garland 148 2 SB Volvo S40
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Quote: Originally posted by Hacksaw Bob on 02/5/2011
I'm guessing the 148 refers to the body length in feet and inches, and the SB may be Side (as opposed to End) Bathroom?

Chemical Disposal Points are usually marked as "CDP" or sometimes "Elsan".

A torque wrench is advisable.

Not sure about all the other questions, but you'll find tyre pressures and some other bits of information here.


Thanks Hacksaw

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UKTech
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Has anyone found my marbles?


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02/5/2011 at 8:37pm
 Location: Great Yarmouth
 Outfit: Fleetwood Garland 148 2 SB Volvo S40
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Thanks to all but could do with a few more answers if possible please.

UKTech

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UKTech
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Has anyone found my marbles?


02/5/2011 at 9:57pm
 Location: West Yorkshire
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport & S-Max
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Hi UKTech!  I can't help with most of your questions but wondered if this website might help with the manual http://www.fleetwood-owners-club.co.uk/


02/5/2011 at 10:02pm
 Location: barnsley south yorks
 Outfit: 2012 coachman amara 550 5 ford kuga
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hi uktech welcome to the site and to the world of caravanning

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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


02/5/2011 at 10:13pm
 Location: Cumbria
 Outfit:  Elddis Affinity 482
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I'm far from your best bet for answers as we're newbies too but I'll give you the benefit of my very limited experience! I know the nose weight should be about 7% of your van's MTPLM and it's usually about 75 kilos, but you also have to check how much your car's tow ball will take, sometimes it's only 50k.

'Legal Phil' on this forum always recommends checking the torque of the wheels and my OH has just bought a torque wrench. I'm afraid I don't know what the torque on your caravan would be, or the tyre pressure but I know they're all different - it depends on the spec of the tyre and the weight of your van. If you're a member of the Caravan Club, their technical team are very helpful and will be able to give you some answers - that's who we got our info from.

The other thing I've found is a Fleetwood owners club
http://www.fleetwood-owners-club.co.uk who might be some help. (sorry link hasn't worked)

I'm sorry I can't be more help but hope this has been of some use. Hopefully someone with more experience will be along soon.

Good luck!

Ab


03/5/2011 at 9:09am
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: Lunar Conquest 544 a
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What are the best towing mirrors? Milenco Aero towing mirrors are quite good just make sure that they will clamp to your car mirrors.
 
Is a 50mm ball the correct size to have considering the age of the van?
Yes, i would think a 50mm ball will be the right size for your van .

Where do you empty the toilet cassette when on site and how much do they hold?
The elsan point is normally near the toilet block or can be on the site near drinking water points . It sometimes has a lid and is a large square shape with sloping china sides , can also look like a standard toilet built into a brick square . Note always put your cassette cap on the floor , NOT on the side of the of the elsan point .
You should have no trouble finding a elsan point when on site .
Some hold around 19ltrs others 22ltrs , always empty before you get near the top , it will be lighter to lift and a caravan flooded with wee etc is not nice . 

Do I need a torque wrench, is it advisable to have one?
Yes it's a good idea , check your wheel nut torque before each trip .

Can anyone tell me if I can get a manual for the van and if so where, I've got manuals for everything inside and outside the van but not for the van itself.
Send me a email and i'll email you the manual i have .

atb

Wizard

 



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03/5/2011 at 6:16pm
 Location:  lincolnshire
 Outfit: N A
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Hi uktech and welcome to the site


03/5/2011 at 8:53pm
 Location: Great Yarmouth
 Outfit: Fleetwood Garland 148 2 SB Volvo S40
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Thanks to all for the greetings and help, it's all so much appreciated.

I don't know if anyone has been to the Blue Sky Caravan Camp at Great Yarmouth many years ago but that is where I was brought up from the age of 14 to 24 then I married my wife of today and left home.
You can guess by that that I've been dealing with caravans for at least 10 years of my life, I used to site the static vans and help the tourers site theirs, I used to site them for some as they couldn't reverse to save their lives.
I'm quite looking forward to getting back to it all.

Regards
UKTech


-------------
UKTech
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Has anyone found my marbles?



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