Hi. We had a caravan back in the day which I really liked, switched reluctantly to tenting for financial reasons, loved tenting and have been doing it for the last 12 or so years. Anyway, circumstances change again and this year I will be caravanning again. My new-to-me caravan is being delivered to a seasonal pitch on one of my favorite sites this afternoon and .. I am really worried!
I have been reading this board and got a lot of valuable information but also the impression that there is an awful lot of stress, worry, maintenance and work associated with caravan ownership. Logically, there is always going to be more to van ownership than just popping a tent up and down because vans are more complex and expensive items but please, please could someone reassure me that I am going to enjoy this summer? When I think about being on site it makes me smile but when I think about looking after and running the van I am starting to get really anxious.
Help!
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
Obviously with tenting you clean/dry & pack the gear away & forget about it until next trip. A caravan is a machine that needs some maintenance. If your 'van is going to spend its life as a static you only really need to worry about the appliances, heater/cooker/fridge. If you have a bit of understanding about appliances many would just say keep a running check on them, clean as you go & you will be ok. Also open windows & put silcone spray on the rubber surrounds periodically.
When you level the 'van on the pitch ensure the corner steadies only support the 'van, don't use the steadies to lift the 'van as it will stress the body & may cause cracks & leaks. If the 'van is permanently pitched then theres no need to service wheels & brakes, just keep the tyres pumped up with a hand or foot pump.
If you do require service you can bring a mobile fitter to the 'van.
I use axle stands put as close to the axle as possible, reason, so the legs on the van dont take the full weight, also keeps the wheels off the ground if you leave the wheels on,The van feels more steady.
------------- Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
Its not a hangover, its wine flu!
dont stress yourself thinking about the what if,s ,just chill and maintain as per normal and if something does draw your attention ,then you are among friends on your favourite site and there is always the caravan handyman who knows everything!!!!!!.just you get yourself organised ,the deck chairs out and enjoy your caravan you are only here once so enjoy,good luck with it all
Merry, I share your anxieties. We've looked at several vans and they all had something wrong with them or no service history etc. At times I have wondered if we should just not bother but know deep down it is worth having a van so the search continues. Try not to worry, I'm sure your van will be just fine.
Enjoy your summer, didnt I read you were going to be working on a site? Lucky you!
------------- Thistledown Easter
Nantcol June
Domaine du Verdon Castellane and Etoile d'Argens Frejus Aug
We made the change last year as you know and haven't regretted it for a minute - I thought I'd miss my tent but I don't or if I do I go sit in the awning! We are lucky as ours is on the drive so it easily accessible for a bit of tinkering here and there but none of it is a huge task. Yes it needs looking after and you will get lots of tips on here as to how to look after your investment in every possible way but the pleasure you will get in return will far outweigh the mundane stuff!
There's a lot to learn & it seems mind boggling. But really, it's no more complex (probably less) than running a car & I don't spend my time worrying about that. It's just the initial 'Are we ever going to understand all of this?' that spooked us but on our 3rd season we've never had a question that someone on here couldn't answer.
we did exactly teh same as you we got the caravan put it on the drive started reading and thought oh god we will never cope with all this stuff. so i sat down and did a list starting with the mane things which were safty and legality so thinks like breaks tyers ect then weights and loading we did it in sections and tackeld one at a time i then stuck remniders in my phone for times things are due to be checked again and there a list inside the cloths cupboard in teh van for setting of an comeing home from trips. it took more time doing the list than anything but now we have things are don and i dont sit there few miles from home worrying what i have missed. relax have fun an enjoy if me and hubby can cope with a caravan anyone can
------------- Dyslexic not stuped
It's nice to be important but its more important to be nice
You'll be fine, we've been 'vanning nearly 3 years now & have never had to do any maintenance other than a tyre.
Don't get bogged down by what you read on here, us British folk do love a whinge & what better place than a forum? people don't bother to post to say what a great, trouble free time they are having in their caravan.
You'll be fine, we've been 'vanning nearly 3 years now & have never had to do any maintenance other than a tyre.
Esther that is bad advice
You should always get your van serviced every year purely for safety of yourselves but also safety for others not only that the insurance would wriggle out of it if you had to make a claim.
------------- A barman is just a pharmacist
with a limited inventory
Quote: Originally posted by Chalkie56 on 29/3/2011
You'll be fine, we've been 'vanning nearly 3 years now & have never had to do any maintenance other than a tyre.
Esther that is bad advice
You should always get your van serviced every year purely for safety of yourselves but also safety for others not only that the insurance would wriggle out of it if you had to make a claim.
Our insurance doesn't state we have to have a yearly service to make it valid, we checked when we took out the policy.
It is a 2007 van & had been serviced when we bought it 2 years ago then we had our own last year purely because we were concerned about moisture under the bed but it turned out to be 100% damp free.
Regarding safety we are fully aware how to spot a bald tyre, which we did and both my Husband & father are very capable to carry out any other checks.
To be honest when we had the service the only thing the guy did that we couldn't was the damp test as we haven't got a meter.
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: Reassure me, please!
Logically, there is always going to be more to van ownership than just popping a tent up and down because vans are more complex and expensive items but please, please could someone reassure me that I am going to enjoy this summer? When I think about being on site it makes me smile but when I think about looking after and running the van I am starting to get really anxious.
people don't bother to post to say what a great, trouble free time they are having in their caravan.
