hi to everyone on this site. we have just bought our first caravan after having a trailer tent and would really appreciate any advice you can give us as first timers. we are really excited to take out the van but a bit nervous about towing and what to do so any advice would be great!!
Make sure your car can tow the caravan, and as long as you have the keys for the caravan, anything else forgotten can be borrowed or bought.
Have a look at the hints and tips under the features section above for essentials and loading the van correctly.
If you can, book a towing course (I think cc and ccc both do them, cc's is about £80 for a day and a half tuition and with lots of hands on practice. They provide the 'vans, you just need to bring your car fitted with a towbar. This will not only improve your confidence, but also give you a reduction on your caravan insurance of about 10% (insurance is a definite must have, but check what is included under your home policy before deciding on contents cover for the 'van).
First time out, take your time, just go to a site close to home so can go home if need be for forgotten stuff. Ask if you're having problems, either of the warden or other caravanners as almost all will be willing to help.
Also have a look through the threads on here, we were all new to 'vanning at some point, so lots of good tips and info.
Having also recently progressed (if thats the right word) from a Conway TT to a caravan, i can say that i'm still split on my opinions... i LOVED my TT, could tow it with anything, without knowing that it was there. With the caravan its a completely different story. HOWEVER.. i know that when i wake up in the caravan, none of the dogs have sneaked out under the sideskirts !!
Enjoy it..!
thanks for that, we too loved our trailer tent but i am looking forward to not worrying so much about the weather (as you will know its not much fun putting down the tent in the pouring rain!!!) and im also looking forward to not having the hassle of unpacking the car when we get home. this site is brilliant have got lots of ideas already and found out loads of stuff i wouldnt even have thought about. will let you know how we get on after our first expedition
hello and welcome! i have just bought my very first caravan ... i am a single mum to 3 youngish children so i too hated the packing/unpacking and couldn't cope with putting a 12 man tent up single handedly!
i picked it up yesterday, and after the initial 30 minutes of total terror, i found that towing it isn't quite as hard as i'd thought. that said i only towed for 2 hours to my home and mine is lightweight so i could push it onto the drive without having to reverse it on!
i have frequently used the tent section of this site and everyone is helpful and friendly in the main - i have asked lots of (probably stupid!) questions about caravanning and have had nothing but helpful advice back.
Hi Georgemarie , Welcome to UKCS , here's some tips , don't use the corner steadys ( legs ) to level the caravan , they are just for supporting the caravan when you have levelled it ( using the jocky wheel front to back , and a wheel wedge side to side ) . Make sure you check the nose weight before setting off . Don't over take going down hill . Lorrys , coaches etc push air out of the way when they are on the move ( motorways ) , try to have a gap between them and you , as they over take ( as you over take ) , when i see one coming in my mirrors i move slightly to the left as they overtake .
Hi, we have got our first caravan and have not been anywhere yet,is there a book you can get to tell you best camp sites.
Where can i get insurance? We thought of going local first to get used to it as we live at Scarborough so does anyone know a good site at york or anywhere nearby.
hi wendy1946 we stayed at the flower of may over the bank holiday weekend and were very impressed especially if you have children it was our first stay (we were in our trailer tent) and we will def go back in our caravan .
hi AJ i am mega impressed putting up a tent on your own and with three kids. ive got three aswell so i know it can be hard especially when you first get there cos they are so excited. i think that taking kids camping is fab no play stations lots of fresh air and meeting up with other kids we cant wait to get off
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: new to caravanning
