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Subject Topic: Newbie caravanner - what`s on your list? Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonLinus
08/9/2014 at 9:23pm
 Location: Cambridge
 Outfit: Ace Jubilee Statesman View Linus's Profile View Profile   Reply to Linus Reply   Quote Linus Quote  
Joined: 04/3/2011

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We've just gone and done the deal on a 2006 Ace Jubillee Statesman aka Swift Carisma. We're very excited but being newbies we also are very inexperienced. Luckily for us the lovely people we bought from are leaving the caravan scene so we've purchased everything from them, from car mirror extension thingy to wedge blocks but other than the gear which I think we might have covered as they are bunging everything in they have what else do we need to know?

We've the tow car but the biggest thing we've towed is a little Erde trailer!

We passed our tests pre 1997 but long in the tooth doesn't give us the necessary stripes to know what we're doing with a caravan!!

What's on your list of 'need to knows'? For example I've heard about the chemical stuff for the toilet but no idea what it's for!


Personmillermicm
08/9/2014 at 9:51pm
 Location: west country
 Outfit: None Entered View millermicm's Profile View Profile   Reply to millermicm Reply   Quote millermicm Quote  
Joined: 29/3/2009

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The toilet chemical goes in the toilet tank to break down the solids and nullify smells/sterise pending disposal in the appropriate disposal point on your chosen campsite. The chemical comes in blue or organic green. Many sites insist on green.

A (usually pink) fluid is also required for the flush tank.

The rest you wil get the hang of as you make mistakes along the way.

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Steve


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Personfleck2
09/9/2014 at 4:36am
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Elddis accordo Motorhome View fleck2's Profile View Profile   Reply to fleck2 Reply   Quote fleck2 Quote  
Joined: 27/4/2006

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Try & use the toilet for number ones only if you can, it's less horrendous to empty and you only need to put bleach in whilst using.


Personalbee
09/9/2014 at 1:37pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View albee's Profile View Profile   Reply to albee Reply   Quote albee Quote  
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Hi, my tip is have 2 fresh water containers then when one is empty you can just swop straight over then fill up the empty at your leisure. This avoids the wail from the washroom of she who must be obeyed as the water runs out half way through preening her feathers as you scuttle off for 15 mins to refill the water butt. a caravan is a small space to share with a sulking maiden. Ha Ha. have fun that's what its all about


Persongreenhill
09/9/2014 at 2:46pm
 Location: Norfolk
 Outfit: None Entered View greenhill's Profile View Profile   Reply to greenhill Reply   Quote greenhill Quote  
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Consider a course with the caravan club or camping and caravanning club re loading, towing and manoeuvring a caravan. Also the caravan club as good intro leaflets on the basics of having a caravan. There is also an owners manual, can't remember the name though, think it starts with H that goes through everything you might need to know. We found it a steep learning curve, maybe a checklist of all the things to do so you don't pull away with the roof vent still up or drain your car battery whilst on a ferry to name a few!

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From tents to trailer tents to a tin tent to an air tent to trailer tent and back to tin tent!


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PersonLobeyDosser
09/9/2014 at 3:43pm
 Location: Argyll Scotland
 Outfit: 1997 Bailey Ranger 470 4 View LobeyDosser's Profile View Profile   Reply to LobeyDosser Reply   Quote LobeyDosser Quote  
Joined: 28/12/2002

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In your position, the first thing I would get a hold of is a Haynes Caravan Manual. You can buy them at Halfords.
Read it from cover to cover as it will explain a lot of things that you may not be aware of. Safety, maintenance, comfort and security as well as how everything goes together and works.

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Lobey.


Personsarahsop
10/9/2014 at 12:32pm
 Location: Cheshire
 Outfit: Outwell x 3 & an Eldis Crusader. View sarahsop's Profile View Profile   Reply to sarahsop Reply   Quote sarahsop Quote  
Joined: 19/8/2008

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Congrats on the van! We've just bought a new 'old' van to get used to being 'caravaners'! My advice would be to tap into any friends and family you might have who have a van. Luckily my OH is a great driver and has years of towing experience so we should be ok on that front.

Our first trip will be with friends who know how everything works!

Great advice on the Haynes Manual i'll be getting one of those!

I'm a bit confused on the camping pitches! Hard standing V Grass with Electric... i'm sure we'll work out the pros and cons!

Good luck!

-------------
North Wales May 2014
Wirral July 2014
Arrowe brook farm July 2014
Bellingham August 2014
North Wales October 2014
Hayfield August 2014


PersonTonkarav
10/9/2014 at 7:07pm
 Location: Fife
 Outfit: Adria Adiva 552PH View Tonkarav's Profile View Profile   Reply to Tonkarav Reply   Quote Tonkarav Quote  
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Hi, see below for a checklist on what to do before starting out on a journey.

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp?id=202

Congrats on your can. Relax and enjoy:)


-------------
Mine's a Pint!


PersonLinus
10/9/2014 at 9:11pm
 Location: Cambridge
 Outfit: Ace Jubilee Statesman View Linus's Profile View Profile   Reply to Linus Reply   Quote Linus Quote  
Joined: 04/3/2011

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Thank you all for the invaluable advice. Our first reversing lesson has been via YouTube We haven't collected her yet as we're working out storage solutions,

Looking forward to our new adventures!



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