we have just purchased a second hand campervan and i feel we have plunged right in to a very unknown world ,we are heading off to Normany this weekend and i am in a major panic state ,so any advice of any kind ,would be greatly appreciated .Regards
As you are in Germany you are presumably well used to European motoring and you don't have the hassle ofcrossing the english channel. What help specifically do you want?
Hi constantine,Welcome to the forum,and to the world of camping,first thing is Do'nt Panic, there are loads of members on here to help with any questions you may have no matter how silly you think it may be,only silly question is the one that is not asked,make a list of all the questions you need to find out about,post them on this forum, some of the other members that travel in europe will be much more able to answer all of your questions,.what make of campervan is it,and the equipment that you already have,that will give an idea of what else (if anything)you may need,also on this forum at the top, there are links to features/tips (very useful for first timeers) all the do's and do'nts,and campsite search, there is also topics that cover maintenance and repairs,in fact anything to do with caravan and camping,you could have a look there till some of the others come along to this post.hope this helps till the do.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
I have never even pitched a tent before , my biggest fear is probably the whole toilet thing and looking like real idiots when we turn up, if nothing else at least i know we are going to give the others on site a right laugh. As for fully kitted out i am not even sure what kit we should have
I am sure everyone on here has something they wish they had been told before they set out
Hi constantine,first you will need to check that you have gas bottle(with enough gas in it for your trip),the blue is butane and the red kind is propane they have different type fittings,red one can be used all year round(starts to freeze around - 40deg. blue one freezes at around 4deg.(summer only),check that all your lights,fridge and cooker all work,when working fridge or heater on gas it takes time to come from bottle to the equipment(30 to 40seconds before it ignites),you may need levelers is on pitch tha has slope,,your van will need to be leavel for fridge to work on gas,and to drain waste water,you should have a eletric hook up cable(orange colour with plug ether end),you should have water containers,Gray for waste washing up water, blue for fresh water,and water pump to draw it into van,small length of hose to fill water container,cups,plates,pots ,pans,cutlery,bedding,light weight folding table and chairs,spare bulbs and fuses,as for the toilet,dont know the type you have or how it is filled with flushing water, but there is an indicator window on the lower part of toilet it has a red,a green indicator strip to tell you when it needs emptying, Look on the Thetford website and you can download the manuals for you toilet, hope this is of help.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
Best i can offer dont panic put the kettle on have a nice coffee this will calm your nerves and you will learn how to use the gas appliances in the motorhome .
As for the toilet it,s just like using one at home only you use chemicals to everything fresh smelling and you empty the cassette yourself.
As for people laughing at you forget that they will laugh with you and help you explore the workings of your new motorhome.
Enjoy it lots.
Delboy
------------- you may be frustrated now but infront of me there is a big incline . yeh it may be slow but it is in front
Thankyou everyone for your help and words of encouragement , I have just about read this entire site most stuff i dont have a clue but i am learning (fast)
Do i ignite the fridge or does it do it itself and do you drive with the fridge on
We leave about 4am in the morning on our big adventure we are off to do a battlefield tour around Normandy for the weekend,( hubby's choice ) but as per usual i am packing enough kit to last a lifetime aboard our van .Where does it all go lol, lets hope i can work everything or we are all going to starve or blow up .
Quote: Originally posted by constantine on 15/7/2010
Do i ignite the fridge or does it do it itself and do you drive with the fridge on
When you're travelling, the fridge should be switched to 12v and powered by the van's electrical system, and for safety reasons the gas should be turned off at the cylinder.
On site you may be able to use EHU or run the fridge on gas - this usually involves turning on the gas at the fridge whilst pressing an ignition button until you see a small flame in the inspection window inside the fridge.
Hi constantine,Do you have the manuals,for fridge,cooker,heater,water heater,oven and hob, they will help you get too know your equipment, if you do not have them look at the make and model of your equipment and go on line where you can down load them.there might be some emergency equipment that you have to have, there was a topic on here (a few months ago i think),about road side brake downs, and the things that were needed by law in some country's, high visibility vests for all in vehicle, and the warning triangles 3 of, 1 for rear of van 1 for front and one in van, for what reason not sure,presumably you have to have two after you leave brake down area and rear one left by road side. I think thats one for the continental travelers.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
Well...we've just returned from 3 days at Normandy. We couldn't work the heating or the fridge, the toilet broke, the weather wasn't great and my son was sick twice in the motorhome!!!
We've got back up, dusted ourselves down, took a deep breath and booked our next weekend away....Holland.
We had our first trip out in our campervan the other weekend. Drove up to Seahouses and went puffin spotting on the Farne Islands. We had a great time even though it lashed it down for most of the Saturday. Plenty of room in the van to move around and the luxury of switching the kettle on and not having to run outside to try to boil the kettle on the gas stove
Heading off to Normandy on Saturday - I think I am more excited about going on the train than anything else
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: New to site
,we are heading off to Normany this weekend and i am in a major panic state ,so any advice of any kind ,would be greatly appreciated .Regards
