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Subject Topic: Done it
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25/11/2014 at 10:58pm
 Location: Wearside
 Outfit: Sterling Europa 490
View p7hut's Profile View Profile   Reply to p7hut Reply   Quote p7hut Quote  
Joined: 17/8/2008

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After camping since 2005 we finally bought our first caravan today!

We've enjoyed our 10 years camping but the last few years have seen us grow envious of friends (and strangers!) who pull up next to us, just wind the legs down, plug in and are done... while we spent 4 hours putting the Tigris 800 and kitchen extension up.

We are the new owners of a 2005 Sterling Europa 490. It came with a full awning, gas bottle, 2 water bottles, a leisure battery, hook up and free storage through March.

It isn't perfect, there are a few internal cosmetic marks that are unfortunate but either fixable or livable with.

I'm going to have many questions, so I'll apologize in advance, insurance, tow bars and hitch locks being top of my list.

We're already thinking about Christmas or New Year away.

Cheers!


25/11/2014 at 11:44pm
 Location: 
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View glittering-prize's Profile View Profile   Reply to glittering-prize Reply   Quote glittering-prize Quote  
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congrats on your new purchase,im sure you will love the lavish life style.in my view you need one good quality wheel clamp and a bulldog hitch lock.There are many companies fitting towbars so shop around,depending on vehicle expect to spend around 250 to 350 quid.I had mine done at home by a mobile fitter.Cost me 300 on a chrysler 300c with twin electrics,so good i rekon.single electrics is not much cheaper.

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i dont sell cheap tat.I sell tat cheap


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25/11/2014 at 11:52pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View jeff juke's Profile View Profile   Reply to jeff juke Reply   Quote jeff juke Quote  
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Good for you enjoy

-------------
Animals have feelings..

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


25/11/2014 at 11:53pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Coachman Pastiche 420 2
View fredted's Profile View Profile   Reply to fredted Reply   Quote fredted Quote  
Joined: 01/8/2012

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Well done, welcome to the Tin Tops, you won't regret it!!


26/11/2014 at 9:09am
 Location: sunny south east!
 Outfit: Coachman
View sunshinetours's Profile View Profile   Reply to sunshinetours Reply   Quote sunshinetours Quote  
Joined: 08/5/2011

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enjoy!


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26/11/2014 at 3:39pm
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Adria Altea 542DT
View clever's Profile View Profile   Reply to clever Reply   Quote clever Quote  
Joined: 28/2/2012

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Hope you enjoy your van and well done for lasting 10 years camping.

We only managed 1 year of camping before getting a van !


27/11/2014 at 9:06pm
 Location: Falkirk
 Outfit: 2022 Elddis Avante 840 2022 Audi q7
View Aldoscott's Profile View Profile   Reply to Aldoscott Reply   Quote Aldoscott Quote  
Joined: 20/1/2013

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Congratulationson your purchase. Hope you enjoy your new van.


27/11/2014 at 9:53pm
 Location: Derby
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 530 4
View pencamper's Profile View Profile   Reply to pencamper Reply   Quote pencamper Quote  
Joined: 19/3/2014

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Hi
And welcome to the tin top club.
We only joined in September after camping in various tents,trailer tents and folding campers over the past 8 years.
We bought a 2002 swift challenger and just returned from our first weekend away in it.
It was great and so much easier (even with the porch awning).
We have booked 5nights over New Years and are enjoying winter camping. The van is toasty warm and can be used all year round although can't wait till summer next year when we can put our full set-up...up.
We have a full isabella awning with annexe/ bedroom for my daughter.

This is my van on site last weekend


Good luck with your van and don't forget to post pics.
Pen camper


28/11/2014 at 8:56pm
 Location: Wearside
 Outfit: Sterling Europa 490
View p7hut's Profile View Profile   Reply to p7hut Reply   Quote p7hut Quote  
Joined: 17/8/2008

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Thanks for the replies and the welcome everyone... hoping to get sorted and get away for New Year, fingers crossed.

And the first question!

I mailed the caravan man and he says I have an ALKO 3004 type hitch. Do you recommend the yellow one or the purple one.

I'm on a budget and the cheaper the better, but not at the expense of the van, the yellow one fits my pocket better but if it's rubbish I would rather pay the extra.

Thanks


28/11/2014 at 10:22pm
 Location: Derby
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 530 4
View pencamper's Profile View Profile   Reply to pencamper Reply   Quote pencamper Quote  
Joined: 19/3/2014

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Purple one
Proper alko type hitch lock and can be bought for around £50 second hand on eBay.

I use this type and a wheel lock and it is parked on my drive so I can see it every day and know it's still there.

Pen camper


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29/11/2014 at 7:53am
 Location: Southport
 Outfit: Adria Adora Premium Yeti 4x4 run about
View naturlist123's Profile View Profile   Reply to naturlist123 Reply   Quote naturlist123 Quote  
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Buy the purple one which is a Alko made hitch lock. state this when you insure the van and you will get a reduction.
or some companies insist you use ALKO.
Good luck and hope enjoy your van for years to come.


29/11/2014 at 11:19am
 Location: Warwickshire
 Outfit: Gobur Clubman
View kpnuts81's Profile View Profile   Reply to kpnuts81 Reply   Quote kpnuts81 Quote  
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I use the yellow on the same alko hitch as you have it is more than adequate

Keith


02/12/2014 at 2:58pm
 Location: Wearside
 Outfit: Sterling Europa 490
View p7hut's Profile View Profile   Reply to p7hut Reply   Quote p7hut Quote  
Joined: 17/8/2008

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Making some progress.

Picked up a nearly new Bulldog wheel clamp for £49, a brand new ALKO Type 1 hitch lock for £55 and just bought 2 second hand Aqua roll water carriers and a waste carrier as a bundle for £55.

Detachable tow bar being fitted by Hedley's on Thursday, £312 for double electrics fitted at my door, seem reasonable to you?

Shopping list of wing mirrors, step ladder, bedding, cook ware, a little microwave, fire extinguisher, water pump and a hitch cover still outstanding (shout up if I'm missed something glaringly obvious!!).

I'm still a little confused at what you do for waste pipes coming from the van to the waste carrier...


02/12/2014 at 3:48pm
 Location: south cheshire
 Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi
View Jax365's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jax365 Reply   Quote Jax365 Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by p7hut on 02/12/2014



Here is a good video on setting up, and also explains the water system bits.

Not sure you'll need a microwave! I find a three tier steamer set of pans is more effective, but each to his own, I couldn't fit a microwave in my van, it's way too small! :)


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02/12/2014 at 5:35pm
 Location: Derby
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 530 4
View pencamper's Profile View Profile   Reply to pencamper Reply   Quote pencamper Quote  
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Pity your not close to us.... As I have a pair of Milenco Aero towing mirrors for sale.
Only reason is they came with our van and I already have some.
Pen camper


03/12/2014 at 6:24am
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: Touring caravan
View Tc1962's Profile View Profile   Reply to Tc1962 Reply   Quote Tc1962 Quote  
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Gosh you're getting everything sorted quickly - why do you need a step ladder ? I don't want to spoil the excitement but please watch your weight, microwave and two Aqua rolls, awning, it's already starting to add up. You might want to look for a thread on here about loading a van as well, that will help you when you start to tow it. I hope you get away at Christmas, we love winter away, only managing new year this year. Hope it all goes well.

-------------
2014 - 15 trips
2015
Jan - betws y coed





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