We have only been out in our van a handful of times, so silly question coming up. Do you leave your pots pans etc in the van cupboards, toiletries etc, food, clothes etc or should you be taking it all out each time & re loading. We dont travel with our clothes in the van normally but we did leave all the toiletries in the bathroom, pots and pans, tins in cupboard for example. Sounds silly but hey ho. Also we need to check the tyres, but we have no manual with the van, so what pressure will they be. Can we look this up or is it standard for the van, or will it be marked on the vin plate or somewhere?? We only went out in it a couple of times last year and setting off again tommorow from storage, any thing else need doing. I have sterilzed the water tank, cleaned loo, wd40 handbrake so far.
We leave the kitchen bits and bobs in the van all year, we just clean them before we used them everytime in the house. Our toiletries when renewed are also left, I find it saves time and saves getting to the campsite and realising you've left something behind.
As for the tyres it should say the pressure markings on the tyre itself.
Clean the fridge out before you get on site-ours is always a bit stinky after not being used for a few months.Check your lights-we ALWAYS have trouble on the first outing. Only yesterday hubby was under the van trying to sort a faulty earth.
Thanks for that. I will have a look at the fridge yes and wipe it round . I was worried about leaving stuff in van regarding the weights. We load heavy stuff like dog pen in the middle of the van and the awning. Like you though I like to leave kitchen cleaner, bits in fridge, toiletries etc so you dont have to pack them each time. I did bring it all in over winter, so I get in their tonight and put stuff back. I keep things to a minimum but some stuff is heavy like pirex dishes etc for cooking, are these saving all to leave in kitchen area in cupboards or should they be put in van in the middle of axel too??
I only unload the things I have to unload. All the pots and pans etc are always kept in the normal places. The awning and chairs etc are only moved to clean the 'van.
As for tyre pressures either post the weight or model of your van and the tyre size.
The pressure marked on tyres is the 'maximum' tyre pressure for that particular tyre and isn't appropriate.
when packing the van storing heavy items over the axel is a must. always make sure cooking equip is kept in low cupboards as if you dont have locks on the cupboards when you get to the site and open up everything will be all over the floor! clothing being kept in van is ok i guess but you dont really want musty smelling clothes do you? i tend to keep all the lightweight coats and wellies etc in the van all the time and get them out a few times to put them in washer. remember to load the back of the car aswell as the van though. its surprising how many people will stack the caravan and put nothing in the boot. loading the boot will even out the weight at the front of the van. i put my dog cage folded down in the boot and i also put heavy cooking equip in a box in the boot. if you have a portaloo, i always have it empty and store it in the shower room along with the chemicals. i also put the water container and waste container ( both empty) in the middle of the van. i wash out the fridge every time and leave a little tub of bicarb soda in it and leave the door slightly ajar usually with a tea towel when not in use. i then take the bicarb out when we use the fridge. the bicarb soda absorbs "smells". some people have told me to raise the glass panels that are over my hob and sink when travelling... i have to say i havent done this i keep them down and place tea towels underneith them to stop them cracking if i go over a bumpy road etc. always checking the electrics is a must and i tend to do this the day before. happy camping.
We have opted to have separate stuff for the caravan that way you dont forget anything cause its always in there. As for tyres you are not helping anyone by telling what van it is and age. Note if its 5 years or more old then replace your tyres they are possibly dangerous.
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Topic: caravan loading and tyres
