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?
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!
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.
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.
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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Topic: Caravan Novice - What To Do On Arrival?
