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Well we have just survived the first trip out and didn't want to come home.

Can you believe we forgot the bottle opener!!! (This was quickly realised and got us talking to our neighbours who told us what amateurs we are and promptly leant us one) Anyway I am sure I will be back with a million questions but here are the most pressing ones.

Our van is 6 years old and came with a new watermaster. However I was unsure whether we should drink the water in the van even after boiling so we haven't yet. I have been told to sterilise the system by using Milton overnight and running it through. Can water then be drunk? Would you only do so if boiled?

As it was a scorching day on sunday we opened all the windows, now we can not close the front large window properly as the left hand catch will not engage at all- the rest of the catches do. It looks like the window is warped on that side so the latch wont get anywhere near the catch. Even if hubby pushes the window from outside it does do up but then pings out immediately once he lets go. Now we have a warranty but what should we be expecting.. has anyone experienced anything similar, does the window need to be replaced. 

Thanks in advance

Quote: Originally posted by CatieB on 29/6/2011

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Can you believe we forgot the bottle opener!!!__________________________________________________________

Welcome to UKCS, Catie.  Pleased you enjoyed your first trip.

  Oh well, you've obviously lost page one of the manual.  Most on here would consider the bottle opener, corkscrew, beer and wine to be right there at the top of their list. 

Once you have used Milton or Puriclean through the system (and aquaroll) and flush the system though to clean out any chemeical left, then you should be absolutely fine to use the water from the tap the same as you do at home, IMHO.  We use water in any way necessary.  I have to admit, I do prefer to drink bottled water, mainly because we can put it in the fridge and cool it.  In the summer it can be 'less than cold' from the aquaroll, especially if the sun has been on it.

Sorry to hear about your window.  I would contact the place where you had the van from and point out that you have a problem that needs needs fixing under warranty.  If it is warped the window needs replacing before you get water in.  This should be covered under warranty, and even if they argue it isn't, your consumer rights say that you must have been sold goods fit for purpose.  In my book, a window that does not shut properly is not fit for the purpose for which it was intended.  It is not natural for a caravan window to warp.

They may be very helpful and reasonable - if so, great.  If not then you will need to give them a gentle push etc.  If you have any problems, get back to the forum.  There are those on hear (like Phil) who would be only to happy to advise.  I would do it as soon as possible, the be on the safe side.

Quote: Originally posted by G7ACU on 29/6/2011

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Drink the water! What about the beer/wine/ etc

There's been much opinion regarding drinking from the aquaroll and mixed views. As David, we keep a bottle in the fridge but I don't have issue with van water when it comes to brushing teeth etc., and have used it to make up squash. I'm still here (just) and never been ill.

I would however advise against leaving Milton for too long, no more than 20-30 minutes as it can be corrosive to the water heater and be a sod to rinse properly. I've opted for Puriclean which does the job (better I think) and leaves the system fine.

Regarding window, can't help without seeing it but it does sound like a possible warp somewhere. As it's under warranty, get it looked at. Don't mention the excessive heat though; some dealers will latch onto any excuse to avoid doing the repair.

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My preference is for Puriclean too. 

It may have been warm these last few days, but in my opinion, not warm enough to make the window warp.  We have endured far warmer weather in Provence and Italy and have never had a window warp.  Just my opinion.

Don't worry about forgetting the bottle opener! On our last trip out, I forgot the bottles, so we had to have an emergency visit to the nearest supermarket. My excuse was that I had a cold coming on and wasn't operating on all cylinders, but I could still hardly believe that I had been quite so stupid.

Technically, the water from your taps should be OK to drink, provided that you sterilise the system fairly regularly. However, we prefer to use that just for washing/washing up. We usually buy a 5 litre bottle of mineral water from the supermarket at the beginning of the season - it only costs a bit over £1, then we refill that direct from the site tap as and when we need it. We think it tastes better and we don't need to worry about nasties in the water.

It sounds as if you got off to a pretty good start, so best wishes for your future trips.

Hello thanks for all the answers.

Where do you get Puriclean from, I've never heard of it and we dont have a caravan shop anywhere near us - milton was so easy to sorce but I have now been put off using it.

If you knew us you would realise just how unbelievable it is that we forgot the bottle opener! So much so that I can not consider putting water in the fridge and waste beer and wine space LOL. I really hadnt thought about the fact that water from the aqua roll would be warm though yuk. So I will probably need to make way in the fridge.

What about for the kettle and cooking, Do you use the aquaroll water for that.

Quote: Originally posted by CatieB on 01/7/2011

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Hello thanks for all the answers.

Where do you get Puriclean from, I've never heard of it and we dont have a caravan shop anywhere near us - milton was so easy to sorce but I have now been put off using it.

If you knew us you would realise just how unbelievable it is that we forgot the bottle opener! So much so that I can not consider putting water in the fridge and waste beer and wine space LOL. I really hadnt thought about the fact that water from the aqua roll would be warm though yuk. So I will probably need to make way in the fridge.

What about for the kettle and cooking, Do you use the aquaroll water for that.

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We've always got Puriclean from the Camping/Caravan Shop, but if you haven't got a shop close then it might be worth trying on line. e.g. here  - the trouble is you might end up by paying as much for the postage as the product itself.  I know Halfords sell it on line - just wonder if it's worth checking to see if they have it in store.

-re wine and beer.  What some do is to buy a seperate fridge for the awning - something like this.  You can get cheaper ones, but in my opinion it's worth getting something decent.  Some only take the temperature down a certain number of degrees from the outside temperature - probably OK for UK use, but if you ever want to consider S of France, Italy or Spain you'll need a good one.  The one in the link can also act as a freezer and is not so much effected by the ambient temperature.  The lid broke off our old one so I'm ordering one of the ones in the link within the next week, specifically to keep our drinks cold.

Water OK from tap for kettle and cooking, in my opinion.

We had a slight problem with our previous van Bailey Pageant Bretagne in that the midle window was a bit of a b****r to close once opened,with a bit of jiggling managed to get it shut and locked once I discovered the knack. Hope that is all thats wrong with yours.