We are getting quiet nervous now,we are going away at end of may to borough bridge for a week on our 1st ever hol in our touring van.I printed some check lists off this site so we know what to do and dont forget to do anything essential!We think we have everything and will find out the hard way if we dont.We have never towed before thats why we are not going too far.I booked hard standing we are not bothering with awning yet as we havnt got a groundsheet,but have checked all the awning and colour coded and marked on panels to make a little easier.In our caravan it as an car stereo built in with speakers but we havnt got a clue how it is powered or should i say how we will power it because the wire has been cut! any advice will be most welcome
Firstly don't panic, every one has nerves on their first trip out especially about towing, take your time don't worry about being slow better to get there in one piece.
Take your time when hitching up, check rooflights and omnivents are closed, check the door is locked, check your break away cable is secure.And then take another leisurly stroll around it again just for piece of mind. Don't rush it's supposed to be a holiday after all, the first few miles are a bit worrying at first as you get to know your outfit, once you feel comfortable just go with the flow.
You will love it. And don't worry when you get to the site and start setting up and feel out of your depth , again take your time, don't forget to put your steadies down. We all had to go through this but each outing gets easier, although you always are learning and still will forget the odd thing.
Have a great time
p.s don't like we did forget ro release the vans brake on our first outing lol wondered why it was hard to move of the drive and smelt a bit funny lol.
A lot of sites dont like you using ground sheets, and charge extra if you do use one.
Kills the grass.
When towing take your time & ignore everyone else. Just concentrate on what your doing, Extra stopping distance, and when approching hills slow down before you start to go down, Dont let the speed build up on the hill.
Going up is safer the car is in control, Going don hills puts the van in control its trying to push you down the hill. You dont want that.
Good idea on printing checklist from this site, Yes we did the same and following the list took a lot of the pressure off first camp. Walking round with the list in hand muttering NEXT DO THE ? This brought our neighbour out with words of encouragement, and boy were we grateful. As we couldn't get the heating and fridge to work. We had to go and ask and he was a mine of information and yes got both working in a matter of moments.
Oldham where is the check list? Sounds like something that would be really useful.
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'I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they
wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're
going to feel all day. '
~Frank Sinatra
The list missed off the bit about giving the plug a slight turn to the right (click) when you Hook Up on a CC site. Forget that and you wonder where the electric is.
Enjoy
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
This is a really good list and covers most things. We tend to do most of these things as a matter of instinct now - you will find your own slight variations on this too.
hope you enjoy your first trip as i can remeber mine as if it was yesterday, so go and have good time, if youve forgotten anything im sure there is a shop within walking/driving distance, and as for towing i still get very very nerveous for first 5mins then i settle down as i realise all is ok, mind you must admit i still dont go any faster than 45mph as i dont give a bugger who is behind me, lol lol lol
Thanks for all your lovely messages i am sure we will be fine,I am most looking forward to getting hitched and sitting down with a well earned drink!Lets hope weather is nice.I will keep you all posted how we get on
Not many people own up to this,DONT level caravan using corner steadies.I did on my first outing and I know a few others who have reluctantly owned up to this!
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Topic: Preparing for our 1st trip
.We have never towed before thats why we are not going too far.I booked hard standing we are not bothering with awning yet as we havnt got a groundsheet,but have checked all the awning and colour coded and marked on panels to make a little easier.In our caravan it as an car stereo built in with speakers but we havnt got a clue how it is powered or should i say how we will power it because the wire has been cut! any advice will be most welcome
