Hi all
Just migrated from the trailer tent forum to here, as we have made the plunge and bought our first caravan. 2 weeks to go before collection, and a mixture of pure excitement and nerves at the prospect of a first tow.
Just wanted to say hi, and say feel free to offer any tit bits of advice, all welcome
------------- Life is too short to not spend it camping!
Welcome and congrats on your first 'van - hope you have many happy hols in it!
Best advice on is just take it steady when towing, remember it's a bit longer than your TT, and ask plenty of questions on forums like this - someone will want to help!
We changed to a caravan after 5 yrs of TTing and numerous yrs of tenting, we wouldn't go back to TT ever, too damp and cold and your season is so much shorter because of the weather, plus the whole setting up and taking down seemed to take ages.
Sure you will get the hang of it all as TTents sort of get you in training a bit for it, especially if like us you had a porta loo and 3 way fridge.
Ask plenty of questions no matter how daft you think they are.
------------- "Close your eyes and pretend it's all a dream, that's how I get by"
Thanks so far for replies! Definitely looking forward to not putting up the TT and not not having a freezing cold wife. First short break already booked for a test everything holiday.
------------- Life is too short to not spend it camping!
Enjoy, we are currently away in our van, it's raining and windy, but we are warm and cosy, we wouldn't of dreamed of being out in October when we had our TT especially in this, you'll love it, have fun :)
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
I know you will enjoy your new 'Holiday Home', as for towing, after many years of vanning I still dont enjoy the first 5 minutes of any journey, but the rest just flows. Good Luck.
Regards, John.
------------- Life is our Holiday enjoy it before its time to go back!
I agree with the forum on this one, the first 5 miles can be knuckle clenchers, but the rest is easy. We did the tent, then the trailer tent, being cold, damp and had condensation dripping onto us in the mornings...no more, our van is comfy, warm, dry and very very welcoming for us and our two retrievers after a hard walk on the fells. Welcome and enjoy yourselves, life isnt a rehersal so make the most of it.
------------- life may not be the party we had hoped for, but whilst we are here, we might as well dance.....
Hope that you enjoy your first trip, don't be afraid to ask for advice on the forum as a previous poster has stated, I have asked lots of questions and been helped out many times, good luck!
I thought it was just me that takes a few miles to acclimatise myself to the different feel of the car when towing. I soon find it quite enjoyable though.
Thanks all, getting really excited. Making list of essential items for first trip. What are people's suggestions? Some things will be transferring from TT
------------- Life is too short to not spend it camping!
A lot of things you have with your trailer tent you can use on the caravan. Make sure you have the correct gauge for the gas bottle fitted.
Unlike a trailer tent, you do need a leisure battery for a caravan. You also need to make sure you have the water pump.
If you plan on using an awning, you may find you need the feet things that sit against the side of the caravan and clamp onto the awning bead. When we bought our first caravan from a dealer we did a deal to include the awning but these bits didn't come with it.
You don't need the 12S wiring on the car but without it the fridge won't work while you are travelling and the battery won't be getting recharged.
On the subject of electrics, make sure you have the matching combination on the car and caravan, or an adapter to convert the 7 pin to 13 pin or vice versa.
Do you have an AlKo stabiliser hitch on the caravan? Identified by red patches on the casing and a large red handle. If you do and you have a bolt on tow ball then you will need an AlKo towball. Regardless of the towball type if you have a stabiliser hitch (AlKo or the dark blue Winterhoff)then you need to remove the grease from the ball.
We always seem to forget to take salt with us when we go away, we now have tubs and tubs of it in the house because everytime we use the caravan we end up buying more salt.
I'm new to tin-tenting myself and am amazed at the number of morons who pull out in front of you when you are making steady progress, with nothing following you, just for the sake of not being behind another Emmit or Grockle!
------------- Some days you are the dog,
some days you are the tree.
Quote: Originally posted by Bridgelayer on 03/10/2012
I'm new to tin-tenting myself and am amazed at the number of morons who pull out in front of you when you are making steady progress, with nothing following you, just for the sake of not being behind another Emmit or Grockle!
If your experience is like mine, those that are anxious to pull out in front of you are the sort that then trundle along at about 45mph leaving me changing gear every so often to maintain revs.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Novice family
