Hi All, we have just picked up our very first caravan tonight. A 1993 5 berth ABI Maurader with awning.Shes as new and been loved for years. We are on our first weekend away this Friday..cant wait.Just a couple of questions. We are towing with a Nissan Nivarra and can see past both sides of the caravan with ease. By law do we still need extended wing mirrors??? Also we would like to get a roof aerial (vision plus dish maybe) where is the best place to go and how much roughly. I will let you know how are weekend goes. WE LOVE ARE NEW VAN!!!!!
you lucky things. Where are you going for your first trip? We chose a CL all of 5 miles from home - good job as it turned out as we kept having to nip home to fetch stuff we had forgotten!
There is a law about towing mirrors, but I'm not sure of the exact wording. There is a legal requirement for you to have mirrors that allow you to see clearly an area that is 4 metres wide from the side of your caravan at a distance 20 metres behind the driver. I can tell you that I can see both sides of my van, but I still need and use mirrors.Hitch up t'van and make sure the outfit is straight, then get someone to stand at the back corner of the van. If you can't see them, you need towing mirrors. In your place I'd use them anyway - safety for yourself and other road users is paramount.
No idea on TV aerial as we avoid telly like the plague when we're away...
As you are on your first weekend away and clearly do not have towing mirrors then you are driving unlawfully I am afraid. Fixed penalty of £60 and three points usually. Before you come back home you must get along to the nearest caravan accessory shop and get some mirrors. Try the Milenco mirrors.
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
Thanks Phil - I knew there was a law but wasn't sure of the penalty. We use the Pyramid Rock Steady ones (they aren't) and they are rubbish. I have my eye on the Milenco Grand Aeros. One of the Pyramid Wobble About All Over The Place ones that I have may have to meet an untimely demise...
I don't think they have actually gone away yet Phil, I think they mean they are going away this Friday , so I'm sure now they have read this they will buy some .
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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.
Hi All, we have just picked up our very first caravan tonight. A 1993 5 berth ABI Maurader with awning.Shes as new and been loved for years. We are on our first weekend away this Friday..cant wait.Just a couple of questions. We are towing with a Nissan Nivarra and can see past both sides of the caravan with ease. By law do we still need extended wing mirrors??? Also we would like to get a roof aerial (vision plus dish maybe) where is the best place to go and how much roughly. I will let you know how are weekend goes. WE LOVE ARE NEW VAN!!!!!
Well thanks so much for the prompt advice. I must admit we don't really watch TV when away. We are going to an Adults Only site in Shrewsbury. £20 per night with awning and 1 dog. We have 3 dogs but thought we would try with just the 1 first. The next question is "how hard are these awnings?"Do you know we still cant believe what a bargain we got. No rot, no marks nothing. What sites would you recommend. We love our dogs and don't have kids. Feel like a big kid with my maurader though lol!!!!!!
Yes chilephilly we had those and I spemt more time looking at the road or the sky as they wobbled up and down. Milencos stay in place. Apologies Scrubsie for misreading your post.
Awnings are really hard to put up. Then it gets easier and easier. Try a practice at home. If you can't fit it to the van at least open it up and figure out how the poles go together. Good tip, work out which way the awning fits into the awning rail to end the right way up and then put a big black mark on that part of the awning which fits into the awning rail so that when you are on site you will always fit it into the rail the right way every time. It is really tricky to work it out on site when the awning is still more or less folded up. Folk will be impressed and won't know you are cheating.
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
If caravan body is wider than tow vehicle body you need towing mirrors. To actually comply with the letter of the law the distance between inside edges of towing mirrors should be same as caravan body width but in practise you might not be able to achieve this & it don't really matter.
As long as you have towing mirrors fitted you will be left alone. If you don't have & caravan is wider than car then it will be impossible for you to comply with law & you could get nicked both in UK & continent.
Many towing mirrors don't really achieve what they are intended to do which is why plenty don't think they are a lot of good. Milencos are ok but cheap ones are all but useless on many vehicle but at least you will avoid a fine.
For the few 'vanners that tow to Holland, Dutch cops do caravan checks generally on a Friday & have been known to nick folk whose mirrors are not wide enough apart so if you go there ensure your mirrors are adjusted as wide as poss.
Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 22/6/2011
As you are on your first weekend away and clearly do not have towing mirrors then you are driving unlawfully I am afraid. Fixed penalty of £60 and three points usually. Before you come back home you must get along to the nearest caravan accessory shop and get some mirrors. Try the Milenco mirrors.
Phil
and dont forget when not towing take the tow mirrors OFF as thats illegal too.
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Hi Scrubsie, Welcome to the world of caravaning,Congratulations on your new van, hope you have great time in it, this may help -- the Features/Tips button at the top of this site will give you information about setting up on site/starting out before your trip, and a list of essential equipment, just click on button and scroll down the lists,
Just a word of caution on the towing speeds, Max speed on Motorways 60mph, caravans and trailers not allowed in the outside lane of motorway, unless the inner lanes blocked. Dual carriageways Max 60mph. All other single lane two way roads are 50mph Max. Even if that road speed is higher. Hope this has been of help,and good luck.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
Thanks so much guys all advice is a great help. We actually go tmw night and cant wait. On your advice we have bought some mirrors just incase, but we can see with generous room past our caravan. Well after work tonight I went shopping and bought all of my new things for our little house...the dog has even had a new collar and camping bowl!!! We are stopping at Beaconsfield Farm in Shrewsbury Adults only. Checked out the website and it looks great. If any of you have some sites that you have tried and tested let me know. I will let you know how the awning experience goes..wish me luck!!!!
Congratulations Scrubsie, hope you enjoy your first outing as much as we enjoyed ours.
Awnings are always a pain to start with like Phil says, try to enjoy the experience and have a laugh doing it. You'l remember the first time for a long time.
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
Hi All Im now back and had a really great time away. Our site called Beaconsfield in Hadnall nr Shrewsbury was lovely. Adults only but dogs are aloud. There is a indoor swimming pool and steam room. I would say if you like a drink, take your bikes. There is a village just outside walking difference.We are going to buy a flat screen TV for rainy nights in, can anyone recommend a GOOD aerial that's not over priced. We went to Whitchurch on Saturday, if you havent been go as its a funny town. We went to the anchor pub for lunch and had the home-made steak and mushroom pie....amazing, please go. Now I need help from you guys...where next as we are hooked??????
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: First time caravaners
