My husband and I purchased our first caravan at the weekend. A 2009 GT60 540/6. We have 2 young children and are going to have it sited. Its at home at the moment until we move to the site sometime in the new year.
Looking for some advice really! Firstly, we need to get an awning. I don't know where to start, all I know is that we would like to get something which is fairly quick to put up, as we will only be using for weekends. Can anyone help with different options for something which is fully enclosed?
Also any advice on whether we should put anything inside to absorb moisture etc?
Recommendations for caravan insurance?
Anything else you think would help us!
Look forward to hearing from you! Have read lots of posts on here whilst I was researching caravans and its been really useful for us!
Hello and well done for getting a caravan, you will never look back.
1--Awning--kampa 260 or 390 for room. A porch for easy up. There are many types around--look now before smas for any end of season special offers.
2--Moisture--2 x bowls of salt or moisture traps.
3--Insurance--Many--try Camping and Caravanning club or google it.
You will need good wheel clamp and hitch lock.
Just sold my GT60 this year and agree with above post.I found Caravanguard gave me a better quote than either of the caravan clubs.I used the Excalibar wheel lock on the receiver, they gave me the same discount as the Alko but it is a lot easier to fit.
I will echo the awning advice, we have a kampa rally 260 plus. Without the annex it's up in 10 minutes. We've decided not to buy a full awning as it's big enough for what we want, even for longer 7 days plus breaks. Another thing we found is that when we had to take it down wet, it dried very quickly.
This is the Outdoor Revolution Porch Awning on our Folding Camper. I have since sold the FC but kept the Porch Awning to use on our Bailey Ranger Caravan.
It only has one U shaped pole (in 3 sections) and the whole awning will stand, without guy ropes unless there is a breeze. This makes it ideal for us with the tethered dogs as they don't get tangled around ropes.
Both the Kampa Rally and the Outdoor Revolution awnings are excellent but you might want to check both type "up" at a dealer before buying as both are very different in design and potential strength.
As for salt, dehumidifiers etc., these aren't required and can (in the instance of salt) actually have the potential of causing damage. A properly ventilated caravan will 'air' quite happily, as there is suitable ventilation built into the unit, roof-lights etc. Dehumidifiers will draw in moisture that's naturally present in the air as it is, and give a very false impression of damp problems. Be aware that containers of salt can react with and damage certain surfaces.
You may well not want to buy new but we've decided to go to the spring caravan show at the nec so we can look at awnings+++ I'm particularly interested in the inflatable ones and very much doubt I'd find a dealer with lots of different ones on display.
------------- From tents to trailer tents to a tin tent to an air tent to trailer tent and back to tin tent!
Quote: Originally posted by G7ACU on 12/11/2013
Both the Kampa Rally and the Outdoor Revolution awnings are excellent but you might want to check both type "up" at a dealer before buying as both are very different in design and potential strength.
As for salt, dehumidifiers etc., these aren't required and can (in the instance of salt) actually have the potential of causing damage. A properly ventilated caravan will 'air' quite happily, as there is suitable ventilation built into the unit, roof-lights etc. Dehumidifiers will draw in moisture that's naturally present in the air as it is, and give a very false impression of damp problems. Be aware that containers of salt can react with and damage certain surfaces.
Most half decent dehumidifiers have several settings including Normal.
This setting will take the moisture level down to the proper humidity although most can take it lower than that if required.
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Topic: New to Caravanning! Bailey Ranger GT60
