
Insurance Discount Campsite Offers All offers UK Sites French Sites European Sites Map Search Text Search Near your Location Popular Searches Leave a Review My Saved Sites Add a New Site All Sections Caravanning Camping Tent Talk Motorhomes Trailer Tents Backpacking Equipment Statics UK Campsites Camping Abroad General Chat News More Sections Latest Posts All Adverts Tents for Sale Caravans for Sale Motorhomes for Sale Equipment for Sale Post an Advert Campsite Jobs All Categories Caravanning Advice Caravan Equipment Tents and Camping Motorhomes Towing and Towcars Equipment Furniture and Cooking Electrical / Gas Shows and Events General More Categories Join for Free Log In

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning

Topic: First time carvanner - tips please!

Post Reply

Tom85

09/9/2011 at 12:45am
Location: Northampton
Outfit: '98 Swift Challenger 490 SEL

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 29/8/2011

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 54

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Hi

I've just bought our first family caravan. By reading these forums and what I've cobbled together from owners manuals, I've put together some notes. Have I got anything wrong, and is there anything I've missed out?

I've saved it as a public google document, so anyone can edit it. :o) (although it has messed up the formatting for some reason)

MY NOTES

Many thanks in advance!

Tom

D S B

09/9/2011 at 2:56am
Location: Polesworth Warwickshire
Outfit: Bailey Unicorn III Valencia (LR Disco)

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 06/8/2004

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4700

Site Reviews Total:	26

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Careful of the details in owner manuals about fuses and lightbulbs. Be guided by what is actually in the van. Sometimes manufacturers will slightly alter the spec. according to the availability of the component or of they find something will do the job better, or the same at a cheaper price! e.g. our awning light is different to the spec. in the handbook. Handbooks are also sometimes very generic - dealing with a range rather than ispecific model in that range. Just my opinion.

-------------
David

dancinglilly

09/9/2011 at 6:42am
Location: Cumbria
Outfit: Horizon 8 quechua p.u icarus 600

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 15/5/2009

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 497

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Enjoy your new caravan.
Amy

-------------
Im itching to get pitching
;)

Tom85

09/9/2011 at 9:26am
Location: Northampton
Outfit: '98 Swift Challenger 490 SEL

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 29/8/2011

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 54

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Many thanks, will bear it in mind.

I'm booking a weekend later in the month to do a "shakedown" trip in it, but I'd like a few weekends away in it over the winter to be honest!

Janx

09/9/2011 at 1:47pm
Location: lincolnshire
Outfit: Bailey Pageant Burgundy +Kia Sorento

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 19/8/2003

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3559

Site Reviews Total:	118

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	1
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	4
Site Nights 2022:	2
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

My goodness you are organised, looks like you got everything covered, I usually have record of everything I need to take t.v. pills, glasses dog stuff, etc etc including essensial food and print one off about a week before a trip.
I also put on things I need to check and fill i.e tea bags, coffee, loo rolls etc.
We go away quite often so most things live in there anyway and it's just a case mainly of food and clean clothes.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

-------------
**********
HAPPY DAYS
**********

Cloverlady

09/9/2011 at 4:24pm
Location: Monmouthshire
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 23/8/2011

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 50

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Enjoy!

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

Upcoming Event

Elvaston Steam Rally 2026 03/07 to 06/07

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.

5351 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Special Offers]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Tent Reviews]

[Contact Us]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026