Quote: Originally posted by richardsfavorit on 08/8/2006
After the interesting top gear episode just over a month ago, I wondered what daft mistakes everyone else had made?!
Well, I bought a new Burstner S500TS caravan in Feb 2006 and went out with it at just about this time last year. I didn't realise that the water system drain taps had been left in the "drain" position by the dealer - and got through an Aquaroll and a half trying to fill the system before the penny dropped.
Is that daft enough? I think so!!
I bought a satellite dish so SWMBO could watch Coronation street whilst we're away. Setting it up is simple enough - but not if you park the van under a tree - as I managed to do four or five times last year
With earlier vans, I've forgotten mains leads and even to bring gas!! Last year I took a full-size awning but forgot the ground sheet.
Several years back, I bought a new double airbed for my nephew to use in the awning. We blew it up at home, to make sure it was airtight - then let it down and packed it last into the boot of the car. It was a tight squeeze - so tight in fact, that we managed to puncture it on something and it was airtight no more.
Those daft enough?
The first van I ever owned was a little Silverlight. It had no mains electric and no battery. I had a 12S extension lead that powered the internal lights in the van overnight from the car battery. No, I didn't flatten the car battery - but I did manage to drag the lead around half of North Wales one morning.
I also remember one occasion when I dropped the legs in a layby when we stopped for lunch - and tried to drive off with them still down afterward.
Yes, I have to say I constantly leave the handbrake on and cant get the cvan off the drive.
But my biggest embarassing moment was the clutch going about 10 miles from our overnight stop in the Loir on the way to the Dordogne. Arriving on the campsite at nearly midnight by towtruck with mega flashing lights, waking everyone up..I made quite an entrance.
Some very well meaning people came over to offer their help and said "welcome to france" and "where's your husband, have you really come all this way with these children on your OWN?" in a very loud voice, to the bemusement of the whole campsite, no doubt. I did just about manage to refrain from muttering "I'd have been a darned sight worse of if I'd brought him with me" and crept into my caravan, cooking corned beef hash for the kids at midnight feeling conspicuous to say in the least.
Yes independent woman felt very very stupid.
Managed to restore some self esteem by assembling the awning and setting up the satellite Tv single handed whilst the kids were at the pool (lifeguards were on duty!) the next day, with various curtains twitching in tents and caravans...
never to this day does my lady let me forget that i left £19 worth of meat products in the fridge.i had to ring the guy who looked after our house and took in the post.i said the fridge is full of meat and we are away for two weeks,take it all out and eat it please.hes not here now bless him,but he kept asking if i would do it again some time.he said one of the best weekends ever.before you ask it was not the meat that got him.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Wonder if driving 120 miles ,pitching up, then discovering the caravan keys were in the kitchen at home qualifies ?
Yep done it myself , though it was only 80 miles away from home . I did forget to unclip the breakaway cable once after putting our caravan on the pitch , just lucky i felt the tug when i did and stopped before breaking the cable .
Yep done it myself , though it was only 80 miles away from home . I did forget to unclip the breakaway cable once after putting our caravan on the pitch , just lucky i felt the tug when i did and stopped before breaking the cable .
yep,did that at chester myself
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
1968 - our first touring holiday, over the sea to Skye. Made the Trossachs day 1, overnight stop by the loch, dusk fell, lit gas lights 2mins & they were black with midges, took days to clear them. Day 3 made Lachalsh, uhhitch caravan we'll push it aboard said the ferry crew (no DODO in those days) caravan almost took crew down the approach ramp. We had loaded up with so much tinned food that we could have lived for another 2 weeks on it. We learned a lot from that first experience. Caravans were very basic, no interior electrics, no fridge, hi tec was a foot operated water pump. As you may gather weight was not much of a consideration in those days. Children still laugh about it. Janet & Denis
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: Stupid mistakes
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