Quote: Originally posted by bobsbabes on 11/3/2010
my tip .......enjoy
not all 'vans have issues and I am sure your's will be problem free
Very true words, remember that people shout louder on forums in complaint compared to praise. Forums can give a doom and gloom feeling to everything.
One of many great ideas earlier in the thread was about videoing the handover. As a few vans now have TVs with DVDs and failing that a good many people bring their own, perhaps vans should come with a 'how to DVD'. Our Pyramid Awning did and it was very useful for the first few times we did something that was completely new to us
When we bought our first caravan, an ABI Marauder, that came with a video. Can't remember what the video was about now, but I agree, an introductory DVD would be useful for some.
Thanks guys! Some nice words there and lots of great advice. I'm excited but a little scared too with it being our first van and being newbies to this!! Hey ho, bring it on.
With our first van (brand new as well), we picked it up from the dealers in St Albans and drove it straight to Dorset have never towed before. When we arrived on site the sold sticker was still on the front of the van. Staff asked what van we had before and our reply was a tent!!! The warden then helped us pitch and set up. People around were really helpful. Remember, unless you go and park in a field you will be surrounded by people who were beginners once & will usually be willing to help if you ask.
And ready to take the pi$$ watching you reverse cos they think they are sooo good!
I remeber when we got ours last year and everyone just watch me struggle setting up, but when we left the guy next door came out and comented on my reversing i just said it what i do for a living.
"What did he say about turning this on?" "Can't remember"
"Why isn't there any gas?" "Have you turned it on?"
"Can you remember what this is for?"
"That bloke on the message baord said we should have a bucket. I see why now!"
"Should have checked that we had a big enough spanner to turn the nut on the gas cylindar"
Its all about learning as you go along. Its one great long learning curve. You are learning all the time so you may as well start on day one as well as day 15 years and 20 days!
Expect to make mistakes but enjoy them and learn from them.
Take your time. Think about what you need to do and when you have done it, stop and ask yourself whether you have missed something. Always look round the van to see if you have left something lying around, especially when leaving a site. Don't leave the caravan mover remote on the garden wall like I did. Its no use there.
Read the guidance from the CC. Write out a checklist of things to do and remember the law....its the men who empty the toilet cassette......so I'm told
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
Don't forget to either take a car registration numberplate for the back of the caravan, or to take the necessary documents with you if you have arranged for the caravan dealer to make up the number plate for you.
We picked up a new van once. Dealers said they would make up the numberplate. We took documents. Half way down the M6 realised both the dealer and I had forgot all about the number plate and I was driving illegally. Keele Services gave me a piece of card and the loan of a felt pen - but it's still illegal I think.
Did the same thing when fetching mine home with DAD. He had the number plate in the boot, neither of us thought about it and drove all the way home without one! Amazing that we didn't get stopped or reported!
We fetched our first van inn October and they gave us a full rud down and said no question was too silly. I had to ask all sorts of silly stuff. They were really good though so just ask and make notes. Read the manual.
We also took our first trip with experienced van owners and that was very handy but nothing is real rocket science if you take it slow and logically.
Only thing is check the electrics on the car. New vans have a fancy 13 pin plug thing and you need an adaptor to fit into the two sockets on the car. The dealer will have one but they are about £30 so be ready. Numberplate also. And if it has an Alco hitch you need a special tow ball but again the dealers sorted that for us.
Oh have fun the adventure beging now x x x x
------------- Oh am loving the tin tent after campaining against it..........I was wrong.
C'mon Bob I bet someone stood there and said "He doesn't want to do that".......
------------- 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
I hope you enjoyed the hand over of your new caravan & that you're pleased with it. Don't worry about the nightmare reports you'll see on here, I'm sure your van will be lovely & I hope you'll let us know how you got on with it when you got it home.
Firstly, enjoy getting your new van and take your time looking around. Let the dealer do his bit first when you're attentive and then don't be rushed just tell him you'd like to have a good look around and check it out in your own time. I'm sure your van will be fine not all vans have faults.
The best tip I can pass on when you go on your first trip is don't press any buttons until your husband tells you to. That way its always going to be his fault! I should really pay more attention as I don't think I would even know how to set the caravan up now. I get the water, while he does all the other bits, then I get the kettle out and thats me about done. I then get asked if I've flicked the switch from battery and my stock reply after 4 years is "No you havent told me to yet". He he - caravaning is easy.
Firstly, enjoy getting your new van and take your time looking around. Let the dealer do his bit first when you're attentive and then don't be rushed just tell him you'd like to have a good look around and check it out in your own time. I'm sure your van will be fine not all vans have faults.
The best tip I can pass on when you go on your first trip is don't press any buttons until your husband tells you to. That way its always going to be his fault! I should really pay more attention as I don't think I would even know how to set the caravan up now. I get the water, while he does all the other bits, then I get the kettle out and thats me about done. I then get asked if I've flicked the switch from battery and my stock reply after 4 years is "No you havent told me to yet". He he - caravaning is easy.
So have you told us how the pick up went...how the van is etc or have I missed that?
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
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: Pick up new van on Saturday - Any tips?
