How to caravan without upper body strength
My husband and I are (very) new to touring with a caravan but I was struck by how stiff everything is. I need the upper body strength of a gladiator for just about everything: operating the Al-ko hitch lever, the jockey wheel clamp, handbrake, engaging the motor mover, lowering the steadies (although we've purchased a drill for that now), handling and erecting the awning etc. I am no weakling but it's quite notable how much more is involved than with my parents motorhome. Luckily, my husband is strong but I like to pull my weight, too!
So my question is: are there adjustments / enhancements / techniques that can be made to make it physically less challenging or should I start weight training before our next trip?
Comments
-
I guess everything is relative for each individual, but when next on site somewhere, why not ask a friendly neighbour to compare things, just in case your van is exceptionally stiff in any of these areas.
The drill for steadies is a good idea, but take care not to get kickback on your wrist when it reaches the end of its travel.
Many motor movers are electronically engaged (not manual), but that would be quite an expense.
My OH is no bodybuilder, but I think the most constructive suggestion I could make from our own experience, is that over time and with practice, you each will find set up /take down tasks which you prefer and/or can do. There’s loads of non-strength related jobs….. set up loo, set up waste water disposal, etc……. To say nothing of ‘make first brew’ or ‘open a beer’!
Good luck.
BTW, if you go to your profile, you’ll be able to change the non-rememberable automatically allocated user name to something you prefer.
2 -
WD40 is a fantastic boon for both the fit & the not so. I use chainsaws & split logs (bear with me this is relevant😊) most days yet I never have less than 1 can of WD40 in my box of tricks. It takes a few squirts over moving parts regularly to keep everything running easily. Plus it smells wonderful-that could just be me tbh😳.Enjoy your breaks👍🏻
2 -
I like the smell too Rocky and often use it as after shave
I suppose that knowing nothing different with only ever having a caravan I've never thought about it. The jockey wheel clamp doesn't have to be that tight, just as hard as you can manage, likewise the handbrake unless it's not working properly? The hitch lever I agree with you and I just use all my weight above it when pressing it down.
The effort for the awning is just one of those things you have to do if you want an awning, I've found air awnings to be easier to put up but they do weight more.
As IanTG says so well, find out what you need and ask others.
0 -
MrC, you’ll never get Arthritis👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻
2 -
I am no weakling but it's quite notable how much more is involved than with my parents motorhome.
Probably the reason why many of us change to a motorhome
I am sure you will get used to it as you develop a routine. Enjoy.David
0 -
We still enjoy the physical side of camping holidays. Never owned a mover, or a drill for steadies, a service pitch is wasted on us.
Check out that everything is functioning as it should, then simply build up to doing the chores if you are reasonably fit and well, but don’t strain or pull muscles. Treat each physical exertion as a calorie count, the more you move, the more treats you can enjoy.😁
Seriously though, don’t risk an accident.👍
0 -
"Plus it smells wonderful-that could just be me tbh😳"
I think that is just you!! and apparently a few others.
I have moved on from the Brut of lubricants to the Lynx (other fragrances exist) namely GT85
0 -
The amount of effort required for the tasks the OP describes is determinded by the design of the item in question. This effort can be greatly reduced by using mechanics to ones advantage.
For example, tightening the jockey wheel clamp - get a length of steel tube that will fit over the short handle so that it becomes longer. (More important to be proper tight when towing than when staying on site!). Handbrake lever will probably need a larger diameter tube, but they will stow one inside the other.
For winding corner steadies one is limited by the crank in the supplied handle. A cheap 1/2" drive socket set will contain a socket to fit the corner steady, some extensions that will bring the working end out beyond the caravan body, and a ratchet handle that will allow effort to be applied with only a short arm movement. Some even contain a long "breaker bar" that makes loosening wheel nuts so much easier.
Aquarolls do not ever need to be stood on end. A pair of wheel chocks from Allfrauds (other suppliers available) will keep it in place when in use, and the maker has supplied a cap half way along the body just for this.
Waste water and toilet containers are about half the weight when half full!
I'm sure other members will have further suggestions, but not having a power-driven engagement of a motor mover is just a no brainer.
2 -
We only fill our water container once from the site tap that is on arrival,,,and also fill a watering can to top it up ,and then always top it up with the watering can , that we take, ,when visiting the service point dustbins or to empty waste
As for awnings we have a wind out Thule canopy fitted to our caravan the same as many motor caravans and PVCs
0 -
We had an awning once.
0 -
When using a drill for the corner steadies, make sure you have the torque set to around 15 - you then won't get a kickback when the steady reaches the ground.
Awnings - bin it and get a Fiamma canopy on the lines of motorhomes. I got to the stage of dreading the awning "put up" take down". The canopy rolls out, lower the built in legs, two pegs job done. It slots into the awning rail, and stays there permanently.
Waster water and aqua roll - use service pitches whenever available.
Its OK peeps on here decrying the use of service pitches, but they serve a purpose for people with bad backs, age creeping on etc. There is no need to wear a hair shirt when caravanning, unless you like making things difficult for yourself.
I was on the point of giving it up, but the methods above have extended my caravanning by years.
1 -
You might consider buying some aluminium tube to temporarily extend levers such as your handbrake and that nemesis, the hitch stabiliser. Manual motor mover engagement is another daemon, Search on line for a metal supplier such as ‘metals4U’ then brace yourself for the delivery cost.
If using a drill to wind Corner steadies, set the screw driving torque adjustment to mid way, because full torque can be quite powerful. We are air awning fans, but they are a real no no if you can’t handle their weight. Self engaging motor movers beat manual for convenience and take zero muscle power. When the day comes that you’ve over extended the jockey wheel, so that it’s internal thread falls apart, support the van’s nose via a corner steady, while you rejoin the two parts. Please, nobody rush to post that the steady isn’t strong enough - it is.
Most of all, remember that brains beat brawn. Think how can I do this without straining my body.
0 -
As mentioned above, the biggest result would be bin the awning idea. A Caravanstore/bag awning is great, but a wind out an even better idea. Use a slide in front for sun protection or solid panel to keep the rain out.
Auto motor mover instead of a wind on.
We use a bucket for waste water. Yes you have to lift it but we think easier than a waste water container.
If a serviced pitch is unavailable would an onboard tank be preferable to an aquaroll. As owners of a continental van this is all we have ever used.
Colin
0 -
An awning is a huge lump of dead weight whatever style it is, even with any removable panels taken out. Draging it up through the channel can be eased a bit by first piling it up on the ground beside the channel in reverse order, such that the cord for the channel will always be on top as it threads through.
The real struggle-saver is to get it up off the ground as high as possible. Some caravans are built with an opening in the awning chanel at the top corner. If not, it is easy to open up about an inch and a half using push-bike tyre levers. A stand-alone table then gets the bulk of the weight up off the ground, and even a chair on top of the table gets it even further. One is then only having to pull the awing along, not lift weight as well.
To make pulling along easier punch three neat holes into the last bit of the plastic tape that protrudes beyoud the canvas and thread about three feet of strong cord back and forward through the holes and knot it off. There is then something to get a grip on to pull along.
0 -
Catbell
I don't want to be a killjoy but if you want to pull your weight work as a team and use each others strength and weakness. If you lack the strength to do something allow your other half to do it whilst you get on with something that he will not be so good at. your Caravan holidays/adventures will become much more enjoyable and less competitive.
3
