It's ok to call us mad!
my wife and I are completely nuts!! Neither of us have done caravaning before, but we decided it would be good idea!!! So we bought one last November, it has been in storage since buying, although I did fetch it a week ago just to clean it inside and have good look through it etc, but nothing major. next Saturday we are away, going into Europe for six months!! we get the caravan on Tuesday and have booked into a site locally to us, as we need to find out how it all works!!!
not a glue on how to top up water tank have looked on YouTube and bought a Aqua roll and hose,
also bought waste master,
not even sure how electrics work or turn on!
cooker no glue
fridge not a glue
awning no never put one those up.
central heating !!!!!
setting up satallite tv should be fun!
got a weight gauge for towing weight think I understand it!! But problerly in practise I don't.
i spent 20 years motor racing towing trailers all over Europe behind a merc 5008 van so ok on that score.
yes so feel free to call us mad.
having said everything above I'm sure when we get on site we will get plenty of advise from fellow caravaners.
our first stop after crossing the channel is La Rochelle ! Six hour drive!
so if you are staying in campsite near Wallingford next week look out for us !!! And La Rochelle from next Saturday.
so defiantly going in at the deep end. So yes we are mad. I will keep you up to date how we get on.
any advise gratefully received !
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O and we have motor mover, !!!! I don't even know how to use tv remote !!!
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Thanks David very helpful, we have just bought merc e220 cdi also, so interested to hear how yours tow as not towed with it yet!! thought your web site very helpful Thanks,
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Not sure what you have got but good luck and if you ask for help you will find most caravanners only too willing to help.
If the caravan is from an existing builder and you have no handbook try their web site and you might get one. If no luck there try and see if there is a club for that firm and you should get help there.
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You may want to take advice about the gas supply for touring Calor doesn't cut it over the channel - no places to refill I understand. I have a Safefill and two euro converters so I can fill in Europe but as yet I haven't needed to refill overseas. Others will know more.
Be gentle with the motor mover - my first attempt resulted in a branch penetrating the caravan! (luckily only the front locker bit!) I was watching the garage door not the tree trunk!
No you aren't mad - unless most of us are! Adventure is good!
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All sounds very exciting, trevorstretch. Check everything out on your UK outing first. Take on board what has been said about using Calor in Europe.
You really ought to get electric hook up lead converters - your lead may not fit some of the european electric hook up bollards, so get a converter from your local caravan stockists - it's a very short lead that plugs into the end of your electric cable
converting it in order to connect to some european bollards. Also a similar short lead with UK plugs with reversed neutral and live wired on one of the plugs, in case you find a electric bollard with reversed polarity.David
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..... I don't even know how to use tv remote !!!
because men rarely get the chance to practice as it's normally down the side of the couch/chair where SWMBO sits
not in our house it's not
lookng forward to hearing how you get on, trevorstretch. We had so "interesting" experiences when "newbies" but practice improves your skills!
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So we arrived on site at 1430, at 1600 we were seriously struggling with the awning, guy from across the way came to our aid just as it started to pour down, we managed to get it up to an OK standard but by no means perfect, we threaded the rubber beading
through the channeling!!!!! Will redo it tomorrow now we know, we cannot get gas to cooker have played with all combinations but nothing, cyl is new, but nothing!!!! Again sort in morning, guess cold tea in morning, filled and connected water hog but no water!
Found but ten saying pump pressed it no nothing!!!!!!! So no water no cooker, fridge works so testing temp of wine we put in earlier, !!! Let you know how we get on tomorrow.0 -
.... we cannot get gas to cooker have played with all combinations but nothing, cyl is new, but nothing!!!! ...
Any valves/taps in a cupboard near your cooker? There are a few red handled gas vlaves in my caravan .... fridge, fire & oven.
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Despite the hiccups, Trevor, I sense you're enjoying your voyage of discovery. I admire your adventurous spirit. You'll get these things sorted one way or another.
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Trevor steep learning curve eh? my gas cooker has a very sensitive lid - if the cover isn't absolutely UP the gas won't ignite, ditto the oven Won't light unless the top cover is really up. The fridge can also be tricky if the c'van isn't level enough
(when operating on gas). Don't forget different cylinder may be required for over the channel.You will soon find everything easy!
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Not mad all, we met a couple in Germany last year who had bought a motohome , had a weekend away to try it out and taken off for Greece. I have been touring on the continent for over 35 years for much shorter periods of time but was suitably impressed
and they seemed to have it sorted. You will be better posting in the overseas section from now on as that is where you are most likely to get good advice for your trip. I have been collecting together notes about sites, routes etc here
and you might find something of help.Good luck and have a great trip
Write your comments here .David, like Trevor, we own our first caravan and intend touring abroad. Your gallery etc was very good and your advice very helpfull. When we tour, we will first refer to your post. Also, very good luck to Trevor and family. I
hope you have a wonderful trip. You will find Trevor that the people using this forum in general, have nothing but good and helpful advice - dont't be afraid to ask.0 -
Thinking of your cold cuppa this morning it couldn't be the confusing reverse thread on gas could it? i.e the cylinder being off when you think it's on? That is assuming your fridge is running on electric.
As for the remote just keep it heading the same way as the caravan! I may look strange standing there turning the remote in my hand but that works for me!
No John I don't think it's a windup but who knows?
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Now I'm all for helping anyone out.
But shouldn't this post have started on the 1st April.
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Now I'm all for helping anyone out.
But shouldn't this post have started on the 1st April.
Why? Trevor admits he's completely nuts so let's wish him well on his voyage of discovery. We all had to start somewhere.
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Well we made it sorted all problems out now sat happy in the awning, been on site since Saturday evening, sat nav did take us into middle of a small village grid locking the place until I managed to get it reversed out!!!!
thanks everyone for the advise,
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Yes just up the coast from La Rochelle near small village called la tranche sur mer, i have limited internet here, but will be posting stories of our trip in You Stories section, I'm not the best writer by any stretch of the imagination but will do my best.
Unfortunately not able to load pics from my iPad!0 -
Wow thought we were the only ones mad! We are planning to go over to France Spain and portugal, leaving in two weeks new swift 6 berth for hubby me and our two dogs.In same position as yourselves dont know anything about the caravan but not worried at all.By
the time we get back sure we will know everything.Wish you the best0 -
Trevor and GBlunt - well done! I hope your adventure goes well, and that along the way you learn everything there is to know about caravans and caravanning in Europe.
We've always camped in France since my son was born thirty-five years ago - firstly with Eurocamp and Canvas Holidays, then with our own equipment. Before we bought our first caravan we had already booked our ferry to France - and had just four weeks to buy a van and 'get used to it'. We found one, took it away for the weekend to Settle (about twenty miles away), then to Anglesey for two nights to get in some towing experience on motorways, and then had three weeks touring France with our two sons. We've been back twice a year every since!
Keep the stories coming and let us all know how you go on!
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Trevor and GBlunt - well done! I hope your adventure goes well, and that along the way you learn everything there is to know about caravans and caravanning in Europe.
We've always camped in France since my son was born thirty-five years ago - firstly with Eurocamp and Canvas Holidays, then with our own equipment. Before we bought our first caravan we had already booked our ferry to France - and had just four weeks to
buy a van and 'get used to it'. We found one, took it away for the weekend to Settle (about twenty miles away), then to Anglesey for two nights to get in some towing experience on motorways, and then had three weeks touring France with our two sons. We've
been back twice a year every since!Keep the stories coming and let us all know how you g
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