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Subject Topic: Caravan Novice - What To Do On Arrival?
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PersonMacadoodle
02/7/2017 at 10:17pm
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As the title says, really. We're seasoned campers, but this year will be dipping our toes into the world of caravanning. When you arrive on site, is there an order to do stuff to make life easier?

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Summer 2011 - Clippesby Hall, Norfolk
Summer 2012 - Clippesby Hall, Norfolk
Summer 2013 - Wareham Forest, Dorset
Summer 2014 - Clippesby Hall, Norfolk
Summer 2015 - Clippesby Hall, Norfolk


PersonOutfortheweekend
02/7/2017 at 10:30pm
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I am a novice also but here is what we do;
Jockey wheel down, hand break on van, unplug electrics from car and safety wire.
Once unhitched I roll the car forward an inch or two because the caravan moves towards the rear of the car.
Legs down on caravan and make sure it is level.
Connect electric hook up if available, gas bottle and connect water pump to filled up water barrel. Put grey water connection into waste bucket.
[Put food in the oven]
Put awning up if you have one.
Make the beds and close the blinds/curtains.
Have a drink and eat!

Looking forward to picking tips off the more experienced posters!


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PersonHacksaw Bob
02/7/2017 at 11:09pm
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These printable checklists from the Camping and Caravanning Club might be helpful.


PersonGrampian91
03/7/2017 at 1:00am
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Level it before detaching from the car. Apply the handbrake until its vertical, that locks out the auto reverse.

If you only apply the brake a few clicks (like a car) it wont roll forwards but it can roll backwards.

If you have a non stabilised hitch which needs to be greased then put the towball cover on ASAP otherwise your going to be walking around with grease on your legs/clothing.

Do you have a spare wheel and a jack?


PersonPickled Onion
03/7/2017 at 8:30am
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When we get onto a pitch and move to the spot we would like to be on, I see if the van is level from side to side, if not I need to place a board or two which I carry with me under the lower wheel to raise it until it is level, now put brake on. (you don't say whether or not you have a mover but that makes life a lot easier)

Next I level the van from back to front by raising or lowering the jockey wheel, easy-peasy bit.

Next is corner steadies down, (old saying helps- 'all the way to the floor and one turn more'.

Next fill with water, remembering to close the drain-valve first and connect electric so that you can get the kettle on. The rest can be done as n when you've had a brew.

Dave.

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Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.


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PersonJohnnie Boy
03/7/2017 at 10:17am
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As pickled onion states fill system with water then plug into mains, Ya might have left boiler switched on mains.... been there and done that


Personegbert
03/7/2017 at 10:53am
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We disconnect from car, feet down and level, electric on, awning up, hubby pegs out while I set up carpets, table and chairs, send daughter to fill the water barrel and connect waste water. Then we have a beer.



PersonRay Clayton
03/7/2017 at 3:00pm
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pull up
unhitch, legs down, fill water, gas on electic on.
Cack a can before getting the awning out, and start to chill.



-------------
Cheers
Ray

Discovery 4 & Bailey Barcelona 4







PersonGrampian91
03/7/2017 at 5:27pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Johnnie Boy on 03/7/2017

As pickled onion states fill system with water then plug into mains, Ya might have left boiler switched on mains.... been there and done that


Yep. Been there and done that also. Luckily my heater has the reset button not the fused link which i think needs to be soldered back in?

Dont plug the mains in until water comes out of all hot and cold taps without spluttering. It will take a good 10 - 12 litres to prime the water system.


PersonGrampian91
03/7/2017 at 5:29pm
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Quote: Originally posted by egbert on 03/7/2017
We disconnect from car, feet down and level, electric on, awning up, hubby pegs out while I set up carpets, table and chairs, send daughter to fill the water barrel and connect waste water. Then we have a beer.




You dont use the legs to level it do you? Why not level attached to the car?


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PersonRay Clayton
03/7/2017 at 5:55pm
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No i dont use the legs
i move the air suspention up and down on the disco to level it, also planks of wood if needed.




-------------
Cheers
Ray

Discovery 4 & Bailey Barcelona 4







Personnavver
03/7/2017 at 8:28pm
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At some time fit the locks


PersonRay Clayton
03/7/2017 at 8:49pm
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good idea that



-------------
Cheers
Ray

Discovery 4 & Bailey Barcelona 4







Personforty-two
03/7/2017 at 8:49pm
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I've given this a bit of thought as I do the outside stuff while the wife sorts out the inside of the van, so the order is...

Plonk van in general place and use the mover so I can get the wheel lock on,

Press the button that makes all the legs come down and level the van automatically,

Put some blue in the bog,

Connect the electric,

Plug in water or aquaroll,

Connect the gas,

Put up awning, Kampa rally air soooo easy

Done.


PersonOutfortheweekend
03/7/2017 at 9:18pm
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Can you give more detail Grampian91 on the leveling process. What do you whilst still attached to the car?

My caravan is older if that makes a difference. I thought the four legs would usually be used to level the caravan.

I also forgot to switch the fridge on once the gas/electric had been plugged in on my routine and the alcohol is getting warm


Personboff
04/7/2017 at 10:14am
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Quote: Originally posted by Outfortheweekend on 03/7/2017
Can you give more detail Grampian91 on the leveling process. What do you whilst still attached to the car?

My caravan is older if that makes a difference. I thought the four legs would usually be used to level the caravan.

I also forgot to switch the fridge on once the gas/electric had been plugged in on my routine and the alcohol is getting warm


The age of caravan makes absolutely no difference. But our pitching up procedure is as follows.   Roughly get into position.
Check level across the van with a spirit level in the door way or against the side wall.   a cheap one will do.

If the van needs levelling a quick check to make sure that you haven't parked where one wheel isn't in a dip or a hill. Sometimes just moving a foot forward or back can make a tremendous difference.

Get out ramp place on low wheel, pull the van up the ramp until van is level chock wheels put on hand brake.

Unhitch from the car. Remember sometimes the nose of the van will need to go down. So don't alway lower the jockey wheel down to the ground. It is better to have the wheel a couple of inches off the ground and wind it down to the floor and unhitch, move car away, then level front to back with jockey wheel.   

Put steadies down

Takes me less than 5 minutes.   



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