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Topic: Sky lights - a reminder.

Fee Fi Fo

24/7/2013 at 12:15am
Location: Somerset
Outfit: Bailey Olympus 540-5

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I travel on the M5 a lot as part of my commute. In last 2 weeks have seen 2 caravans with roof lights up on the motorway. I have tried unsuccessfully to alert them. One popped up as it was going along. So this is just a friendly reminder to check before setting off, especially in this gorgeous weather when they may have been having more use.

snowy747

24/7/2013 at 7:19am
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Sometimes, secured ones pop up, the catches fail.

Ali

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Davep

24/7/2013 at 9:23am
Location: Prestatyn Nr Wales
Outfit: Kia Seddona & 1995 Pennine Pathfinder

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Living on the North Wales Coast, near to a number of Camp Sites. It is a regular occurrence to see vans being towed with the sky lights open. Usually the chances are they have just come off site.

I have worn out my horn and lights, trying to let people know. Many just ignore you.

Personally if it was me, I'd be pulling over and checking.

Dave

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2015 Dates
April Llyn Rhys Farm
August Barleylands Essex
September TBA
Halloween field in Bala sharing with Birds of Prey

The 2 Tops

24/7/2013 at 9:44am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Swift Challenger Sport 524 VW Carave

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We both check for any open skylights/windows and make secure before commencing to hitch up.
Regarding failure of catches, we have not yet come across any sudden failures on any of our vans (hope I'm not tempting providence

), and I would replace any at the first signs of unusual slackness or wear.
On the subject of horns/lights to attract a driver's attention, the considerations such as "is it towards me?", "have I done something wrong, and the flasher wants to stop for a row?", and even the possibility of "do they intend to rob me if I stop?" have to be taken into account. These are common facts of life now, so it isn't surprising if the driver ignores horns andor lights.
Bertie.

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The 2 Tops

Aceselect

24/7/2013 at 7:20pm
Location: Nottinghamshire
Outfit: Sprite Alpine 2 Caravan

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We always check rooflights before travelling. On a couple of occasions after stopping I saw one of them open. I then had a rant at the other half blaming them for not checking, only to be told they had checked. It turned out that if there was a cross wind it was opening itself, catches appear really strong, but I now us a couple of elastic ties to stop it happening.

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David
Chillax, you're caravaning

doit

24/7/2013 at 7:39pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Bailey Orion 560-5

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I have been the clown zooming (60mph) along the motorway with the caravan 'sunshine roof' open. I was tooted at and left the motorway at next exit, saw my mistake and with a very red face closed and secured the rooflight. Was entirely my fault as I forgot to check before we left the campsite. Luckily nothing was damaged but if I see a caravan with a roof light open I will toot and point and hope the driver stops to check their outfit

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Why am i doing this instead of camping??!!

timtheenchanter

25/7/2013 at 8:08am
Location: Yeadon Leeds!
Outfit: Swift Challenger & Defender 110SW

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the older spring type are susceptible to popping open, my last van the front one I had to secure with a short batten and bungees.
My current van I have had one pop open once or twice, I always check before hitching and then after before we set off, its been known for the kids to distract during the first check and a window get misses, especially if its on the "vent" position.

david8858

25/7/2013 at 5:51pm
Location: Teesside
Outfit: Lunar Clubman SI H

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I should have read the instructions!! I didn't secure our Heikki properly when our van was new and it popped up on a French peage and you've guessed it not an Aire for miles!!

It was an expensive learning curve - the lid itself was fine and came through unscathed but the blind and fly screen got dragged up through the opening and got shredded. They only cost two hundred odd quid plus fitting to replace.

Needless to say all 'lids' get double checked now by both of us before we go anywhere.

David

Alphonso De Lard

26/7/2013 at 10:54am
Location: Derby
Outfit: Bailey Pegasus II Milan & Honda CR-V

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We always check ours, but we've had one pop too.. In fact it didn't just pop, once of the screws had sheared, no way we could have foreseen that... Fortunately a passing motorist used a sort of hand flappy hand signal, and we pulled in at the next layby.. No way we could fix it though, it was a gonna... Repaired as best we could in the layby, limped to the site, and called a travelling service/repair guy out who replaced rooflight for a reasonable price considering it was "out of hours".... Always double check since then, not had another one "pop" yet... Touch wood...

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2019:
Wye Meadow Camping
Dornafield
Wyatts Covert
Chestnut Meadow

allan-d

28/7/2013 at 7:43pm
Location: elland west yorks
Outfit: crown regent

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some times they do pop up by them selves you can get locks for them that are quite easy to fit by yourself.

allan-d

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