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HI, JUST BOUGHT A NEW CARAVAN STERLING EUROPA 550 AND AS YET NOT BEEN AWAY IN IT. WE ARE NEW TO CARAVANING SO WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY TIPS/ADVICE YOU COULD OFFER TO HELP US ENJOY OUR FIRST OUTING.

Hi there!

Welcome to caravanning - we have been caravanning a year and it's the best thing we have ever done.

Here are  few tips that may help you:in no particular order:

1) Go away for a night or 2 at first, just to check that everything is working ok - preferably not far from home

2) Take enough food for one meal when you get there

3) Make sure you take your manual with you, if anything goes wrong or things you are not sure about- we had to go back home once to get ours - lol -also take the number of the dealer you got it off.

4) A kettle for that first cup of tea is essential - there is nothing better, than when you have set up and the first cuppa is made

5) Plan beforehand what things you will need to take away with you, that can be left in the van e.g. plates, cups, toileteries etc -it saves having to pack these items every time you go away - it also means you can go away with the minimum of fuss.

6) Very important - ensure that you do not exceed your payload and distribute things correctly througout the van - the camping and caravan club website (and many other if you google)have fact sheets on all aspects of beginners to caravanning

7) Have a checklist that will help you to remember to do things - e.g. yesterday when I forgot to fix the bedroom door shut - good job it didnt smash!!

I hope these few things help you! This forum has really helped us out a lot of times- keep using it, as there are usually lots of people who will know.

Enjoy many years of caravanning!

Hi and welcome - one of the things I learnt was to take advice off the experienced people on this site.  We've had a van for about 4 yrs now and used it all year, but I'm still learning from other people.

hi yvonne130,

THANKS FOR THE ADVICE IT SOUNDS REALLY USEFUL, I WILL GIVE IT A GO ESPECIALLY MAKING A CHECK LIST. MANY THANKS.

HI JOHN,

IT SOUNDS TO ME THAT THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO CARAVANNING THAN MEETS THE EYE, I WILL TAKE YOUR ADVICE AND USE THIS SITE TO TRY TO IRON OUT ANY PROBS I HAVE. CHEERS

Hi Al can you turn of the CAPS LOCK please it's the equivalent of shouting

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp?id=1 this link to the Features and Tips area at the top of the page has some good lists and advice.
Have you considered a towing course with either of the 2 big clubs money well spent,

Dave

You are welcome Tomboladog!

I hope you enjoy many years of fun caravanning.

Also when I was a newbie on this site, I used capital letters by mistake too.... lol

 HI, DARTHILLCAT

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY SORRY, OR SHOULD I SAY sorry for the shouting! i just hope you can hear this applogy.

Hey no need to appolgise turned me hearing aid up a bit now .I hope you get as much fun and relaxation out of your van as we have.
Have had a first trip away yet.

Dave