Well, we pick up our new Bailey GT60 540/6 this Friday from Bardsea Leisure. We are staying on-site with them for 2 nights to familiarise ourselves with our first ever caravan.
Included in the sale is a ‘starter pack’ of the basic essentials (aqua-roll, waste thing, towing mirrors, hitch lock, battery etc), plus there is an accessory shop on-site if we get really stuck.
I was just wondering if there were any not so obvious little items we need to be taking with us, that others have found out from past experience?
Lump hammer for your rock pegs, and claw hammer to get them out again. (We use a jemmy actually - it's ideal for the job, but people look at you funny when you start waving it around.)
Spare corkscrew for when you have thrown the corkscrew away. (I have NEVER done this. Really.)
We always manage to forget things like milk and butter. And bread. And...well, food, really. Fri night supper we can do. Sat breakfast, forget it.
Congratulations on the new caravan..... Good choice!! We just totalled up 60 nights up to now this year in out GT60.
One thing you shouldn't forget is a nice long drink for once you arrive on site. Just a tip aswell for the 540/6, a fan heater is a good thing to take as once you close off the bedroom door it does drop cooler in there for the kids in the night. We just leave ours on low on the thermostat.
When you get back make sure you drain it well - taps in the up (on) position & hot water tank valve open to drain otherwise the frost will cause damage over winter.
Another thing about keys its true i drove about 40 miles before i asked missus if she had keys .Well guess what i had to drive all way back to house and get them and drive back again and pass the same spot where i had remembered to ask about them again.120 EXTRA MILES not fun at all at all.
Dont forget your insurance and you may need a wheel lock to comply with your insurance - ours stipulates a wheel lock in place if we leave the van unattended for more than 2 hours. Levellers, noseweight gauge, spirit level and loads of patience when we went for our first trip in July on the first night we fell into bed without any dinner at 11.30pm with severe brain strain from setting everything up for the first time (but this did include a full awning) but we've loved every minute as I'm sure you will too!
Congrats on a great van I hope you have a great weekend!
They will give a thick blue wallet with a comprehensive guide to all whats what on the 'van but there is a quick start quide as well which will tell you what you need to do to get started :)
A few litres of water in a seperate container to make a cuppa at your breaks , most people empty the Aqua Roll for travelling and end up buying tea and coffee , dearer than fuel on the motorway !!
Quote: Originally posted by breezerjock on 15/11/2010
Another thing about keys its true i drove about 40 miles before i asked missus if she had keys .Well guess what i had to drive all way back to house and get them and drive back again and pass the same spot where i had remembered to ask about them again.120 EXTRA MILES not fun at all at all.
Not as bad as when we were in Macon in France. Someone was trying to find a key to fit their van. They had left the keys at home...... in the UK! Luckily we had a key from an ald van that happened to fit theirs, so I gave it as a gift. My, weren't they grateful.
Gas bottles, electric cable to connect to mains electric, wheel clamp, you might need levellers, if not on this site something that you might need for another time. Pipe that fits from the aqua roll and waste pipe to the caravan. Container or bottle to pour water to fill up toilet flush, toilet chemicals for flush and toilet.
Electric blanket to air the bed in this weather.
A suitable TV with freeview, or separate freeview, with correct cables and remote controls.
I buy water purifier tables and put two in the aqua roll, I know a lot of people who don't but I would rather be safe than sorry, then you can drink the water from the caravan. Most of the above you can get from the caravan shop.
Hi, Great choice of van , we have the same one. Bunk beds are great for the kids to bang their heads and then fall out!!!, But best of all, a super king size sheet for the front beds. Make sure you turn the cushions round aswel on the front bed otherwise you will have a lump in the bed all night. lol As for a heater just leave the bathroom door open a little and the rear bedroom door a little and heating on low all night and its fine. close the bathroom door and it becomes a sauna, great for drying clothes.
we do have an electric radiator as well for them cold nights, but to be fair the heating is good.
A glass of wine or can is also great while watching the TV with the kids in bed.
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: 1st timers – Anything we must not forget?
We just totalled up 60 nights up to now this year in out GT60. 
Just a tip aswell for the 540/6, a fan heater is a good thing to take as once you close off the bedroom door it does drop cooler in there for the kids in the night. We just leave ours on low on the thermostat.
