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Subject Topic: Feeling Nervous Post Reply Post New Topic
Personmattsmith
11/10/2016 at 10:14am
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: 1991 Sprite Major Super View mattsmith's Profile View Profile   Reply to mattsmith Reply   Quote mattsmith Quote  
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So i bought a 1991 Sprite Major Super a couple of months ago and have been doing bits and pieces to it since then.
I wasn't going to go away till next year but have decided to go away on Monday for 2 nights just to try it all out.
Feeling a bit nervous about everything (arriving at site, setting up etc)
Any tips welcome.

Matt


Persontango55
11/10/2016 at 10:27am
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
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Make sure you have at least one ramp for levelling up side to side on site as it will need to be level for the fridge to work effectively. Levelling up front to back is done via the jockey wheel and only use the four corner steadies to stabilise the caravan, never use them as lifting jacks as they are only fixed to the wooden floor and not the chassis.


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Personclever
11/10/2016 at 10:33am
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Adria Altea 542DT View clever's Profile View Profile   Reply to clever Reply   Quote clever Quote  
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Most sites will be fairly quiet at this time of year. Just take your time with everything and you will be fine.


Persontango55
11/10/2016 at 11:25am
 Location: Lichfield
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Also a really good tip is to buy a book if you are totally new to caravanning as there is so much to learn about apart from just setting up. A good book to start off with is the 'Caravan Handbook' by John Wickersham.


Personmarg6
11/10/2016 at 11:34am
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at this time of year I would suggest turning up mid afternoon or earlier, take your time, before leaving find nearest caravan shops, take a decent toolbox with you, and if possible go with a caravanning friend, at least then you could use there caravan for cooking and keeping warm etc if things went wrong with your van


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Personrose+max
11/10/2016 at 11:35am
 Location: Nottingham
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 530 View rose+max's Profile View Profile   Reply to rose+max Reply   Quote rose+max Quote  
Joined: 28/5/2010

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Make a list of what you want to take with you. You'll probably still forget something but can add it to for next time.

-------------
Rose


PersonSamandRose
11/10/2016 at 2:12pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: 2019 VW Arteon + 2002 Avondale Dart View SamandRose's Profile View Profile   Reply to SamandRose Reply   Quote SamandRose Quote  
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Echo tango55 ... take a levelling ramp and level the caravan using that and the jockey wheel. Steadies are just that - not jacks.

A few other mistakes to avoid (not that we've made any of them ourselves, you understand)!

Journey to site
- Make sure the caravan tow hitch is FULLY attached to your towbar, the breakaway cable is attached and the handbrake is off
- The towing mirrors need to be TIGHTLY attached to your car mirrors in order that one of them doesn't - for instance - fall off onto the motorway

Set up
- If you need to put one of the caravan wheels onto a levelling ramp, do so BEFORE unhitching it from your car
- The freshwater inlet and waste water outlet valves are entirely different. If you try and connect the water pump to the wrong place, you will instantly look silly
- Have you fully connected your electricity cable to both your caravan and the site hook-up point?
- Is the gas supply turned on?
- Don't leave the pump to run dry if it's not submerged in water. If you do, it will break.

All sorted? Well done, now you can have your first cup of tea

Leaving site
- Is gas turned off, water drained and toilet emptied
- You haven't locked the door/gas locker but left the key in the lock have you??

Forgetting something is not included in the list because that's normal (for us anyway)! and it's what caravan shops and/or supermarkets are for! Remember the wine and you'll be ok. Enjoy :)


PersonAndy Higham
11/10/2016 at 2:55pm
 Location: Bolton Lancs
 Outfit: Bailey Orion 430-4 & Mitsubishi PHEV View Andy Higham's Profile View Profile   Reply to Andy Higham Reply   Quote Andy Higham Quote  
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for levelling side to side I use a length of 25mm decking board cut into 3 and use the appropriate number of pieces. If parked on wet grass a piece under each wheel stops it sinking


Personmattsmith
11/10/2016 at 4:40pm
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: 1991 Sprite Major Super View mattsmith's Profile View Profile   Reply to mattsmith Reply   Quote mattsmith Quote  
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Thanks everyone. I'll report how i get on next week.


PersonAcornis
11/10/2016 at 6:04pm
 Location: North Norfolk
 Outfit:  Bailey Olympus View Acornis's Profile View Profile   Reply to Acornis Reply   Quote Acornis Quote  
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Just look like you know what you are doing, that's what I've been for the last 20 years. in a few years time you will be sitting, getting entertainment from a newby just as other will be next week.
Post next week and let us know how it went.
Good luck

-------------
Just saying
If all is not lost where is it then?


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PersonMike3003
11/10/2016 at 6:06pm
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And do not forget the Red wine......!

-------------
Not ALL Newts get p**sed.

“Semper Fidelis”


PersonHacksaw Bob
11/10/2016 at 6:10pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Various tents View Hacksaw Bob's Profile View Profile   Reply to Hacksaw Bob Reply   Quote Hacksaw Bob Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by SamandRose on 11/10/2016

- Have you fully connected your electricity cable to both your caravan and the site hook-up point?



In that order (reverse when disconnecting) so you're not carrying a live socket around!


Personskipp66
11/10/2016 at 9:11pm
 Location: Essex
 Outfit: None Entered View skipp66's Profile View Profile   Reply to skipp66 Reply   Quote skipp66 Quote  
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Hi Matt,
Hope you enjoy your first trip , I know how excited we were in May when we used our new (to us) van for the first time.
All I would add to the great advice above is plan your journey so you know what roads you will be towing on, and take your time. My first trip was only 50 miles down the road but it was pouring down with rain!! so was a fun trip!
Make sure you have some decent towing mirrors, its very useful to see whats behind you.

Dan


PersonMike3003
11/10/2016 at 9:41pm
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Levelling, hook ups, steadies, planning and lists are all very well..............But do not forget the Red wine!

Have a great trip Matt, and yes, you will make mistakes. Just learn from them.




-------------
Not ALL Newts get p**sed.

“Semper Fidelis”



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