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Subject Topic: It started with a walk to the pub..
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29/3/2011 at 12:53pm
 Location: Nottingham
 Outfit: Sterling Moonstone Discovery 4
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Well, little did we know when we set off for a walk along the River Trent to a pub for a nice afternoon lunch with our 2 young children that by the end of the day we'd have bought a caravan and migrated from canvas to the tin tops..

We just happened to call in at Lowdhams and the rest is history. We are now the proud owners of a 2005 Sterling Eccles Moonstone.

We collect in about 10 days and I've been busy reading anything and everything... all very exciting.

One question if anyone can help. Any tips on levelling the caravan? I'm unsure whether to buy some ramps and is there any tried and tested method to getting it level other than taking my spirit level?

I'm also thinking in addition to the hitchlock we bought I should have a wheel lock, would you agree? Any tips on the one to go for?

Appreciate any tips and guidance.


29/3/2011 at 1:16pm
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Hartford xl and Bailey Olympus 624
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Firstly congrats on the new van, I'm sure you'll have many happy times in it!
On leveling the van we just use an assortment of short planks of wood in differing thickness and a spirit level, it really is that simple. We also have some ramps for when the slope is quite harsh, we use a combi of both.
As for the wheel lock if you have alloy wheels you can get Alko locks and recievers.

-------------
Buy a V8 save the planet


29/3/2011 at 1:16pm
 Location: chesterfield
 Outfit: Elddis chatsworth 550 Shogun warrior
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welcome .... we have both hitch and wheel locks just for that bit of extra.

leveling isnt to bad to do ,we have the ramps in the front locker but only used em once,lots of people just carry a few pieces of wood if needed,you can buy a small level to keep in the van,thats all we use.to be fair tho i usually can tell if were not level just by standing a glass of water on the side.



29/3/2011 at 1:46pm
 Location: Nottingham
 Outfit: Sterling Moonstone Discovery 4
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Thanks for that. I think it has alloy wheels, not 100% sure.

Amaboverd notice you are going to Trevornick, have you been before? We are considering going down there for 7/8 nights over Easter.


29/3/2011 at 1:58pm
 Location: whitstable kent
 Outfit: sterling eccles sport 584 freelander 2
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It always starts with somthing when we got our last van, we only went to get a new gas bottle!!! That was an expensive gas bottle :D
congratulations and have fun


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29/3/2011 at 2:02pm
 Location: chesterfield
 Outfit: Elddis chatsworth 550 Shogun warrior
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yep went last year for 2 weeks,we loved it,always said i wouldnt go back to the same place twice as there is so much to offer elseware,but while we were there last year we re booked for this.i cant wait its lovely,very clean but gr8 for the kids.it is a large site but safe for the kids etc.


29/3/2011 at 2:12pm
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: Bailey Ranger GT60 520-4
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Hello happyharwoods

Wheel lock nuts are available at most good caravan shops and I think a good investment and a back up even if you fit a wheel clamp,BUT, most good wheel lock nuts come with a code, this is to identify the lock nut if you lose it, DO NOT LOSE the code number, or you will be in deep deep sh--- trying to get the lock nuts off !

Depending who you insure your caravan with you will find most good caravan insurance companies will give you extra discount if both a Hitch lock and a wheel clamp is fitted.

Also 'if' you buy a wheel clamp make sure it has 'Sold Secure' on it.

Good luck with your new toy!

Mike



29/3/2011 at 2:31pm
 Location: Nottingham
 Outfit: Sterling Moonstone Discovery 4
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Sound advice Mike thanks.
I'm going to have another closer look at Trevornick..


29/3/2011 at 4:36pm
 Location: barnsley south yorks
 Outfit: 2012 coachman amara 550 5 ford kuga
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welcome to caravanning hope you enjoy it as much as we do

-------------
Sandringham 22nd mar - 30th mar
thorpe park 27th apr - 1st july

thorpe park 1st sept 2015- 1st nov 2015
clumber park 29th dec -4th jan


29/3/2011 at 6:58pm
 Location: sunny nottingham
 Outfit: Lunar Clubman
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Hope you have many happy trips in your new caravan. You will probably find you will be able to use some of your equipment from the tent in the new caravan. I'm still using my camping stacking saucepans that I have had for about 15 years - they are light and ideal to store in the cupboard.  Enjoy!!


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29/3/2011 at 7:23pm
 Location: sheffield
 Outfit: Abbey GTS 416 & Wolflake 5
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It always starts with just a thought.....................

We are recent converts ( from last year - having complained about the extremely lengthy time spent packing the tent up etc etc) and we havent looked back so far.

(But we cant bring ourselves to get rid of our tents! even though they are gathering dust!)



29/3/2011 at 8:08pm
 Location: eaton bray beds
 Outfit: Discovery and Gobur 12 2T
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We have two of the small adhesive spirit levels - one on the side for end to end levelling and one on the A frame cover for side to side levelling

-------------
hawk

"Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone"

I have the body of a greek god - its in my freezer


29/3/2011 at 9:13pm
 Location: Nottingham
 Outfit: Sterling Moonstone Discovery 4
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We will forever smile about the time we went to the pub, little Evie in the backpack and Max ladybird spotting blissfully unaware we were about to part with several thousand pounds for a caravan.. but we have no regrets. I spent many happy years as a kid caravanning and hopefully our two can enjoy the lifestlye too now.

Good tips about those spirit level fixings and I'm already thinking what we've got camping wise I can use, broke a camping chair at Silverstone last year so might have to invest in some posh recliners now for the awning...


30/3/2011 at 8:15am
 Location: WEST LOTHIAN
 Outfit: COACHMAN 460 2
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congrats on your new caravan,bit pricey going to the pub was it not?im sure though you will enjoy your new purchase ,wishing you many happy holidays the kids will love it

-------------
wynnie


30/3/2011 at 9:57am
 Location: Essex
 Outfit: Lunar Delta TS 2017
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Congratulations on your new van, the cost doesn't stop there though as you will soon find out. When you insure it you will probably be told what security is required as they do vary.

Enjoy.



30/3/2011 at 12:00pm
 Location: Keswick
 Outfit: Bailey
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When levelling I think its best to take a spirit level reading, for the front to back level , from the top of the fridge. Put a spirit level on the floor and you can get different readings from different areas, dependent upon the type of carpets you may have down and the condition of the laminates. Any tilt of the fridge can affect its performance. Fridges tend to be most sensitive to tilt when that is from front to back of the caravan. It is reckoned that fridges, post 1986, can tolerate up to 6 degrees of tilt front to back but for optimum performance its best for it to be level.

Always level your van across the axel first and then front to back with the Jockey wheel. When putting the corner steadies down keep checking that spirit level reading as that action can change the level you obtained before putting the corners down.

Have a good look at your pitch before you unhitch. If it slopes down to the front you will need the jockey wheel higher than normal to level. It can help to unwind the jockey wheel a bit before you lower it to unhitch. That will enable you to get it higher.

If you find that the slope on pitch (front to back) is such that you can't get it level as the Jockey will not lift the front end high enough, put the front corner steadies down and then wind up the jockey wheel, lift it, lock it and then unwind it a tad before letting it drop down to start again. I have seen some folks with this probelm and they try to lift up the hitch by hand whilst their partner fiddles with the jockey to get it up and then down and then higher. Its a lot of weight to hold up by just your hands!!! Easier to let the corner steadies hold the van whilst you fiddle.

Think about the sinks and shower. Which way do they drain? It may help drainage if, when you level across the axel you have a slight bias of a higher side opposite the drain outlet. The bubble in the spirit level needs to be centre (obviously), but there are two lines denoting the centre. We tend to level so that the bubble just touches the line in the spirit level on the door side as the water drains the other way and we find that gives us a better drainage for the shower than getting the bubble bang in the middle.

Buy a spirit level that has three levellers in one..front to back, axel, and corner to corner. I find that really useful once I have levelled just to check all angles at once.

They always sell levelling blocks in twos so you can entertain yourselves wondering why when you can only ever use one..

As regards the locks check your insurance policy. You will probably find that there is a condition that if you leave the van for a certain time (2 hours in my case) you have to have locks on and usually a hitch and wheel lock....even on a camp site.

Talking of wheels and spending money use one of these before every journey and one of these or you could try and find a garage that has the air in a sensible place for a caravan!!!!!

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    



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