Leaving a site
hi all
so im off on my first towing adventure tomorrow to Old Hartley. I have just watched a brilliant 'setting up' video on youtube but i cant see any videos on how to 'unset' up. This is in particular to getting rid of water in the system/// ie how to drain.
Im a bit scared of the gas so hoping to do everything electric. ( or any reassuring hints on gas)
gill
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Most people only drain the water system at the end of the season.
What's the problem with gas? Turn it on at the bottle, turn on a hob burner, wait a few seconds for the gas to get through after the first turn on and light. Once the hob burner lights, everything else should as well.
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To drain the hot water tank, see your manufacture's instructions but what I do is:
Switch off the pump master switch. Switch off the heater and/or hot water heater at the control for it where you set the temperature. Mine's above the door. If you're on grass do this sometime before to cool the very hot water or run it for a while in to the wastemaster, (do this before switching off the pump).
Switch off the main water heater switch on your main charger unit (mines under the bed). You can also switch off the main 240V electric at the same time if you want.
Next to the water heater there will be a drain down valve. Mine is yellow and while in use the yellow handle lies flat. Pull this up and open the taps. You should hear the water draining out of the hot water tank and you should/could check to see if it is draining from the outside looking under your van.
I never use gas except for cooking. Make sure the gas bottle is fully off.
Really do everything backwards that you did on arrival. But if in doubt ask for help from your neighbours and the wardens, only ask them in plenty of time. Most, if not all people on site will be glad to help.
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obviously, if going on to another site, or you will be using the van again soon, no need to drain everything.
...as we use the van regularly and all year round, we only ever drain down if we are at home and there is a likelihood of a hard frost....
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When you leave site the process is almost the reverse of your set up.
Once you are hitched up check lights and doors and lockers are secure, breakaway cable attached and hand break released. If you have used the motor mover don't forget to disengage it. Pull slowly off pitch and someone check you haven't left anything laying around
on our van there are 3 gas isolation switches just inside the bottom drop down door of the oven. To use the fridge, heating and stove make sure the switches are in the open position. We don't switch these off after use, just isolate at the bottle.
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I know what your both saying BB and TW, I was told somewhere in the dim and distant past that towing with a full hot water tank wasn't a good idea as most times the tank is right forward, and indeed to the right hand side of the van and therefore affects stability and noseweight? Has this advice changed?
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Don't empty hot water onto a grass pitch, you'll kill the grass
. Once our system is filled we leave it until there is a chance of frost - but we are motorhomers, and I don't know if this makes a difference.I agree with the comments about the gas, I'm very respectful, or half afraid
. of it if I'm honest. You can smell it so if you do,turn it off and open all the doors and windows. Be prepared it does take a while to come through the pipes before lighting.If you need help, ask fellow members or the wardens, enjoy
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In my opinion it will make no difference, Corners. The weight of the water will be minimal (check your handbook for the actual capacity of the hot water tank) and caravans aren't balanced side to side anyway. We never drained the system other than at the end of the season when we had caravans and don't with the MH either.
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Ok thanks, the tanks holds 10 litres so that's 10kg, and we only have one gas bottle rather the two that can be fitted so I think you're right. We used to be be weekenders and all year round (we still are all year round) so I was always a bit scared of frost from, well mid October onward up here till about Easter. Even so we had a frost the other week . I suppose its a hard habit to break.
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10kg is neither here nor there in the grand scheme of things.
Draining in cold conditions to protect against frost damage is a different matter but in good weather I don't see a need.
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I always drain down the water tank when leaving a site. I don't like the thought of the water sloshing about and the weight too. It only takes a few seconds. We are also probably at the limit of our payload everytime out.
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A split decision! We had cars with higher noseweight limits and vans with ample payload but I wonder how many people consider the extra weight when the throw a full awning and poles into the van?
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We also drain down each time we move. However, although this may not be entirely necessary, the instructions with Alde heating say it should be done every month, to preserve the air cushion in the boiler. Given the cost of the system, I prefer to follow this advice.
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And many don't unless it's so they can carry the table, chairs and bikes inside the van
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Back to the idea of packing up. I find it a bit of a long job to do all the necessary on the morning of departure, so I have taken to doing some the day before, such as not refilling one of the Aquarolls when it runs dry, putting magazines and CD away in lockers when last one finished with. It eases the rush and allows a leisurely departure, even a walk around the vacated pitch to collect the things that fell under the 'van but were not missed!
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Hope you have a good time at Hartley Gill, try the gas, it's useful and cooking with it is easy. It's worth trying out in case you lose EHU power and can boost heat in the van quickly if it's chilly. Turn it off when you leave. Good luck.....if in doubt just ask fellow vanners on site.
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we've mentioned many times the MTPLM of our MHs and caravans and the importance of understanding true weights and (generally poor) payloads (topical, as i weighed my van fully loaded on Thursday) but how many caravanners understand fully the true weight of their fully loaded towcars, too?
the answer to a meagre caravan payload seems to be 'we chuck it all in the car', of course, this will will often include partners, children, bikes, tables, chairs, awnings etc....in fact everything that cant go in that large (but poorly payloaded) box....the caravan.
anyone admitting to weighing their fully loaded mid range family saloon lately?
to the OP, yes this thread is about actions when packing up....but do ensure you know your caravan (and towcar) loaded weights...
safe travelling...
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You done good Girl
. Now it's just-steady away & any issues just ease of the accelerator to give you more time to think. Safe journey0 -
If you drain down between sites you have to fill the system again - a quarter of an aquaroll and much coughing and spluttering. Why make life so difficult?
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Interesting discussion, I have always been very aware of nose weight and loading the caravan but it's not a great issue for me as the Freelander has a nose weight limit of 150Kg and the caravan is rated at 210Kg for loading. I always put a lot of stuff in the back of the car and put the awning and water containers over the caravans Axle.
Always drain the system BTW but not the loo flush.
One thing that's not been mentioned is what effect other stuff has on the legal max weight. Motormover's, Satellite dish's Roller canopies, Bike racks, Higher Ah batteries......... The list goes on, most of these become a permanent part of the caravan but how many people take it all in to account when they increase the specification of the outfit and reduce what they carry accordingly.
Ian.
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