hi all. having just got my first caravan after lookig around for six months i found this web site. basicaly to get a head start on the joys of caravaning. looking forward to booking in hooking up and chilling out in a nice warm dry van. having read some topics on here.....i am now not so sure???
if i can avoid
getting my van stolen
dirty showers
rude site owners
heater/hot water problems
awning nightmares
mice infestation
damp/leaky caravans
narrow lanes/traffic jams
insurence problems
dogs peeing on the awning
also if i carry all the extra's i wil waigh 14 tons(can it be done)
soooo.if i avoid all of this do you think i will enjoy it?
I wouldn't have thought your above list has happened to just one person they would have to be very unlucky if that were the case, stop worrying about the what ifs and enjoy.
Let's see out of all the above list ,in the 6 years I've been caravanning I've had two of the above, a damp van which was our first one, and hadn't found this site then which would of saved us from that purchase, and one dirty mop bucket!! In six years. So I'd say to encounter all the above you'd have to really be unlucky, life's full of what ifs, but you have to do things, you'll be fine, and really it is about relaxing and enjoying yourself.
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
A reminder to us all to tell everyone about the joys of caravanning instead of mostly coming on the forums to ask for help/advice!!
We've just got back from a meet with our local C&CC DA. The caravan was warm, comfortable, cosy and a treat to be in - the awning went up without any problems and we enjoyed sitting in it (there was a cold wind at times so we needed the shelter) The campsite was clean, tidy and provided everything we needed. The people we were with were great company and we had lots of laughs.
i don't for one second think i will encounter all of these at once, if any. it was just a light harted thread about some of the topics i have read on here. i am looking foward to my first night in the van i've just bought a cheap one to see if i can get on with it. if i do, i will be buying a newish one next year.
sounds like you had a nice little break there. glad you enjoyed it, thats what i am hoping to do in a few weeks.. i think when i get the first trip under my belt i will be totaly mad on the idea of getting away every weekend.
this site is my 'bible' when it comes to all things caravan/holidays!
We did have a damp van, and cracks,and 'challenging' wardens; however nothing will stop me caravanning short of death!!!
Just come back from Broadhembury, Kent. Had a lovely time, used the awning, met some incredibly friendly folk, wonderful wardens and facilities: just shows what a little research does!
I hope you enjoy caravanning, and this site, as much as i do, and thats all you can wish.
Your post gave me a wee chuckle, I used to worry about all the things that could go wrong but I have have just towed my new caravan back from Dundee with no problems at all and I know that I have done the right thing. Can't wait for my first official holiday away in May.
ha ha, good list, I think Id of been put off if Id of read that too.
we are new to caravaning we brought ours last year and used it a couple of times, had it out first time last week, there are things we still dont know and we are still learning, but I know one things for sure I wouldnt swap it for the world we love it!
I did the same, got and old van in 2010 (2005 Swift Challenger 480) to get see if we enjoyed it, awnings were a pain, the inverter in the control panel failed first time out (a known Swift problem, if only I'd known!) lots of annoying things like sink plugs that didn't work, leaky shower etc and when I got it all perfect I traded it in for a new van in April 2011, then decided I needed a big tow car (Merc ML) which cost a fortune to buy and costs even more to run. The most important thing to have is a motor mover, then you can always park with the front facing the view
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.