Oh, I am a traitor & feel desperately relieved.

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Comments

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited April 2017 #32

    Ah! Duh. Xxx

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited April 2017 #33

    When we dabbled with motor caravans our last one an Autocruise  we fitted a caravan type awning rail, to which we attached our caravan porch awning,it took some thought as we had to drill through the wall and use small bolts to fix it, there was not any thing secure enough to fix the rail to,   maybe the latest adhesives will alleviate drilling the body, we could also use a caravan store canopy,

    it will depend on how high the motor caravan is, whether the awning has enough canvas to reach the ground as the rail has to be above the door which could foul when opening

  • black caviar
    black caviar Forum Participant Posts: 242
    edited April 2017 #34

    Hello artyboo your new van looks fantastic , a real luxury pad , we had motorhomes before caravans , and they are just as good only different :) as im sure youll find out , we did get a drive away awning and drove all the way to essex to buy it (off ebay) and on the way home called at brownhills at newark and bought another bigger motorhome lol . You can also get sidewalls for the fixed awning on the motorhome , good luck and good health from mr & mrs bc : ps wont they swap your course if you tell them whats happened?

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #35

    Wait till you get it home , when we looked over the one we bought it was empty, but when we got it home the previous owner had left some useful bits and pieces in it !.

    if the wind out awning is the same as the one fitted to mine (fiamma 45) I have the privacy room panels that I don't use ,you can have ,if any use 

     so don't go out and buy things yet !!!

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #36

    One of us you are, motorised or otherwise, we are all caravaners together and here to help!!smile

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited April 2017 #37

    Oh Husky, yes please to the side thingies if it is a fiamma  and yes, you are right, I must wait.

    Sheer frustration at the moment, trying to get Boy to release the secrets of who insures what etc etc. I will get there. I am actually getting excited about picking her up now. 😱

  • Lynneallan
    Lynneallan Forum Participant Posts: 77
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    edited April 2017 #38

    Glad to hear mr arty boo is home.  I'm sure things will improve but will take time.

     Good luck with the motor home,  you will be fine,  that's what I would have done too.

     

    ENJOY.

     

    LYNNE

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited April 2017 #39

    Alas, I couldn't 'do' the towing course because the tow car is being very naughty. I WAS offered a MH course alternative but I couldn't get the use of one soon enough and the next was mid Sept by which time I hope to have been to Europe twice.

    i am looking forward to collecting the MH although collection has been delayed to next Friday now (I guess everyone else wants theirs for the Easter weekend) never mind. I shall demand a bottle of champers in recompense 🤗.

    I have bought PNUT and Fraggle their very own seat belt fittings so they will be safely restricted on the chairs behind me.

    I will let you know how I get on 😱

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #40

    I know you can have private trailer lessons might it be worth enquiring about a motorhome lesson? Once you've got your vehicle they won't need to have one. Just an idea. Glad it's going well and I admire a couple if trips to France.  Mind you very close to home and decent roads for motorhome use once over/under the channel. Good luck enjoy.

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited April 2017 #41

    Boy and I drove inFrance for quite a few years before we bought the first Caravan. I am sure that once I get used to the dimensions of what I am driving I will be fine hahahahahahahahahahaha

     

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited April 2017 #42

    artyboo,

      I'm  not  sure  if  it's  been  mentioned  before  BUT  if  you  really    want  to  get  some  manoeuvering  practice  with  the  'motor  are  there  any  car parks  or  industrial  areas  that  are  quiet  on  Sundays.  If  there  are  you  can  always  have  a  bit  of  practice  reversing,  and  cornering  and  even  cornering  in  reverse  ??

     

    Just  a  thought,  Have  Fun 

     

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #43

    Arty, congrats on the new van, a lovely well made long distance touring machine with loads of room and storage.....and payload i would imagine.

    however, this van has one fixed bed over the rear garage and another up front over the cab.

    each are fairly high with the rear one (probably) using steps and the front one a ladder as in the picture.

    have you (two) actually tested out the beds and the clambering required to reach them?

    i felt it would possibly be a bit difficult for a post-stroke patient to manage either...

    perhaps you have tested this and all is fine, or perhaps you can make up a bed from the lounge seating?

    if the former, great stuff.....forget my concernes...

    if the latter, great if it works for you, but would seem shame to have such a large van to accommodate two fixed beds and then not have use of them....

    i post this, not to dampen any excitement re the new van, but merely that my instant reaction to the pictures was that the beds (while roomy and comfotable, im sure) would require a modicum of athleticism to access them......

    please report that my concerns are unfounded, and all the very best with your new purchase......good luck to you you both 

    fire away with any questions....

    good stuff Husky.....a real gentwink

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #44

    Arty, another point worth doing is Measure the height of the M/H to get the true height , as when out driving round the area you may come across a low bridge than in your car you wouldn't have thought twice about !! 

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #45

    We have a note of our height width and length in feet and inches and metres laminated and kept on the sun visor. If in doubt a quick check saves disaster 😉

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #46

    That's what we have ,but when I fitted a sat dish it added 4inchs to the overall height surprised

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,147 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #47

    Remember to pull into the middle of the road if the low bridge is arched.

  • Cajun Duo
    Cajun Duo Forum Participant Posts: 48
    edited April 2017 #48

    Make sure you get out and use as much as you can and have fun cool.

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited April 2017 #49

    Thank you guys - yes I made sure the boy could access the bed before I committed😃.  I was disappointed that he could get in both given that I was looking forward to him sleeping one end and me the other. The bugger got in both 🤣.

    we have gone for 'tut' biggy: friends have said they would like to come and I would like to be able to pick my old mum up and take her to the seafront for the day in comfort. 

    You are all wonderful and I will ensure that I am conscious of my height; indeed, there are probably a few more inches than the usual given the air con and satellite tv stuff!

    looked on Eurotunnel today! I cannot believe how much cheaper it is to take a MH over. I can see my regular trips all in front of me.  

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited April 2017 #50

    Seems  like  the  M/homing  life  was  just  made  for  you,  Artyboo   Enjoy  your  touring  !!smile

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,675 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #51

    Great to hear from you arty boo and pleased that your other half is making progress.  To pass on our good wishes.  The motorhome looks fantastic and look forward to updates on how you are getting on.  Great to hear you are thinking about France already.

    David 

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited April 2017 #52

    I am getting rather excited about collecting Trixie on Friday. I have got the weekend planned to stay in her at Bearstead (planned a while ago with the Caravan). 

    I shall load up all the tut and redistribute it in Trixie's many orifices 🤣.

    will let you know how I get on but please watch this space for my inevitable panic questions.

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #53

    Hope it all goes well for Friday, just take a slow drive home before you "play" with anything 

    The first thing you will notice is the setup time ,handbrake on ignition off and kettle on ,and enjoy smile

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited April 2017 #54

    Artyboo

    Just a note of hope.

    My friend had a stroke about 4 years ago and was unable to speak or walk.

    Glad to report he his now fit and well to the point of playing walking football. I am sure there is residual issues, but you would never know it.

    Hope your guy follows suit.

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited April 2017 #55

    May I suggest that if your budget will stretch that you take a look at the self levelling options for the MH. Although we have the EP version on our caravan to assist with my failings, it does avoid the need for ramps etc. making set up much easier.

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited April 2017 #56

    Well, I am here 🤗

    Actually a lot less scary than I imagined and once I got over the nerves I rather enjoyed the drive. A lovely friend drove behind me all the way and helped me load up so knowing I had someone there was great. 

    I reversed and everting 😁

    Wow, I don't have to get out there and empty the waste water and I have enough water to last me the weekend on board. I think I might like this. I haven't managed to get Fraggle out of the front seats yet! He is enjoying the views too much.

    I am having a very early glass of bubbly and I am going to order a takeaway (oh what luxury not cooking). Poor boy is exhausted and is having a doze, I think it has all been a bit much today.

    Husky, if the offer of the bits for the Fiamma is still there I would love to take you up on it. There is a Fiamma F45 on here and I must say it is rather impressive.

    thsnks for all your lovely support, I am delighted to say I don't have any questions this evening.

    Moi

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited April 2017 #57

    Thank you.

    i am confident that we/he will get there and I know it all takes time.

    i guess the MH is about getting him out as much as possible and stimulating him. I am going to lots of day trips out and about to different places plus, of course, make sure we get our holibobs over to France.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #58

    Great stuff, Arty, good luck to you bothsmile

  • huskydog
    huskydog Club Member Posts: 5,460 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #59

    Hi Arty, yes it's yours if it fits, I had a look at it last weekend and there are 2side panels ,a front panel and 2poles , I haven't tried it on mine as it's not something I would use ,so it's a case of try it and see if it's ok 

    if you would rather you can contact me via email on my profile 

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited April 2017 #60

    Will do Husky, thank you very much.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,147 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #61

    All the best to you, Arty.

    The spirit of this thread and the generosity of one member to another demonstrates what this forum can do. smile

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