About to make our first trip with our caravan and have two simple questions.
1. When stopping for a tea break at service station or layby, any advice on brewing a cuppa. I assume I cannot use the electric sockets to boil a kettle so do I need to buy a 12V travel kettle to boil using the cigarette socket on the car or buy a flask?
2. If all four of us ( 2 adults and 2 childrens) were to sit in the van during a break (still hitched to the car) would it be advisable to lower the cornersteadies.
For all of you experienced caravanners out there, don't all laugh at once.
We tend to park in the HGV bays - dedicated caravan bays seem to be few and far between and/or full of vehicles that aren't caravans. As for brewing up - we always pop into the services: lighting the gas is prohibited and to use the 12V would take a week or so for our kettle to boil! (If indeed it would work at all - I've never actually tried!) A flask would be a good way forward, you're clearly more organised than me.
You should always put the steadies down before entering the van - if you don't you risk spraining the chassis which could lead to leaks.
I need a break after max 2 hours of towing, but that's just me.
If there is a dedicated caravan park you should use it otherwise use HGV area.
You should put rear steadies down. Front not really necessary. I always put the crank handle on the car drivers seat to remind me to wind them up before driving off!
We always use a flask. Its a lot easier. If all passengers go into the services at once make sure your hitchlock is on. Caravans have been known to disappear.
i brought a new 12v kettle from, strensham south services awhile back, got back to the yard in bristol, filled it up, pluged it in, drove back up the m5 with my load stopped in strensham north and gave them the kettle back with the water luke warm inside, just couldnt cope with the 4 hour boiling time.
i would take a small gas kettle and use that for tea and coffee, and id lover the rear steadies and jockie wheel like said above, but you must remember to raise them all before you set off again.
mike
Yes - should have said never EVER leave the van unattended. First goer-to-the-loo buys the coffee and brings it back to the van, drink coffee, other loo-goers go, wind steadies up, walk dog when loo-goers are back. We NEVER leave the van.
we only stop for 'leg stretch and loo' breaks, and I take the opportunity for a crafty smoke (I never smoke in the car or around the kids)
we don't use the van at all when travelling but do carry fruit shoots for the kids and a flask of coffee for me and my good lady. sometimes some nibbles too.
When we do stop, we go off in pairs, never ever leave the rig unattended.
We have a Trangia which lives in the car permanently anyway. They're not cheap but take up no space & are fab things, so if you like to go picnics & things anyway & especially if you also ever camp (in a tent) then a worthwhile investment imo.
Quote: Originally posted by chilephilly on 27/7/2011Yes - should have said never EVER leave the van unattended. First goer-to-the-loo buys the coffee and brings it back to the van, drink coffee, other loo-goers go, wind steadies up, walk dog when loo-goers are back. We NEVER leave the van.
Here we go again!!
Yes, in the last 5 years perhaps a few vans have been stolen from service areas, but as no-one has yet proved to me that it is a COMMON problem, why do some on here keep insisting on this ridiculous story.
If you want to stay with your van because you think there is a risk, then fine, but stop scaremongering!!
And the use of portable gas appliances, which includes the caravan fittings, is banned it nearly all M'way Service Centres. There are invariably signs to say that in the lorry and c'van areas.
Quote: Originally posted by chilephilly on 27/7/2011
We tend to park in the HGV bays - dedicated caravan bays seem to be few and far between and/or full of vehicles that aren't caravans. As for brewing up - we always pop into the services: lighting the gas is prohibited and to use the 12V would take a week or so for our kettle to boil! (If indeed it would work at all - I've never actually tried!) A flask would be a good way forward, you're clearly more organised than me.
You should always put the steadies down before entering the van - if you don't you risk spraining the chassis which could lead to leaks.
I need a break after max 2 hours of towing, but that's just me.
Enjoy your break, wherever it is!
where dose it you cannot use your cooker but people are saying buy 1 of them suitcase gas cooker.
Quote: Originally posted by LlaniDavis on 27/7/2011
Quote: Originally posted by chilephilly on 27/7/2011Yes - should have said never EVER leave the van unattended. First goer-to-the-loo buys the coffee and brings it back to the van, drink coffee, other loo-goers go, wind steadies up, walk dog when loo-goers are back. We NEVER leave the van.
Here we go again!! Yes, in the last 5 years perhaps a few vans have been stolen from service areas, but as no-one has yet proved to me that it is a COMMON problem, why do some on here keep insisting on this ridiculous story. If you want to stay with your van because you think there is a risk, then fine, but stop scaremongering!! And the use of portable gas appliances, which includes the caravan fittings, is banned it nearly all M'way Service Centres. There are invariably signs to say that in the lorry and c'van areas.
Personally, I wouldn't want this PROVING to me. I'd just rather not take the chance in the first place. It doesn't have to be a common problem, just a problem, and a problem I'd rather be aware of. You refer to a 'ridiculous' story, and 'scaremongering', but frankly I'd rather be safe than sorry. I wouldn't find it 'ridiculous' if I came back from the bog and my van had disappeared......
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Topic: Stopping for breaks
my Trangia.
