Entering hitched caravans
Comments
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Aside - does it truly save much time & effort to use a cordless drill winder, which needs carting about & recharging
It does save much time and effort.
I have a 12 year old Makita cordless drill. After 8 legs up and down the battery was struggling 2 years ago, although I always carry a spare.
20 months ago I got two higher storage replacement batteries for under £20. One battery is good for more than 11 legs up and down. No need to recharge whilst away
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When your lower back is in "disrepair"as is my case a batterie powered drill/winder is not a "luxury"
which by the way a replacement is on my list for birthday prezzies later this month, or will use the money that has been saved with not now having to buy a tv licence
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"Aside - does it truly save much time & effort to use a cordless drill winder, which needs carting about & recharging."
The short answer is yes!
I happened to have a old Bosch cordless drill left over from my working days and, at my wife's behest started to use it and now don't know why I resisted.
As for charging that gets done between tours at home.
Bye-the-way: Rear bathroom so rear steadies down at toilet stops.
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"Aside - does it truly save much time & effort to use a cordless drill winder, which needs carting about & recharging."
Definitely yes. I was never in favour of them. However last autumn was tempted into buying a very reasonably priced £24 one from Aldi, with a fast charge lithium battery. I am now converted. So far have only used it for three up and downs, but after that it was still showing a more or less full charge. So very pleased.
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I have a folding crate that houses all those bits that need carting about, sits in the boot of the tow car. Last thing in.
It contains the battery gun (drill), charger, 2 spare batteries, AlKo wheel lock, hitch lock, coupling ball thing, wheel brace for wheel lock and steadies if too tight space wise on pitch for the battery gun, tow mirror bag, mallet, LED lights and transformer for flag pole; and every other rechargeable toy possessed in order to use my free electricity that I've paid for in the pitch fee
Tend to stop en route at places where there is somewhere to sit outside and have a picnic and a cuppa. Got new Nespresso travel mugs from Santa that keep drinks vey warm for about 7 hours. No point in using your paid for gas when you've filled on site using the free electricity in the pitch fee to heat the kettle on the electric ring on the onboard hob just before winding up the steadies and hitching up.
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wow, does anyone really put a kettle on their cooker's electric hotplate...?
i guess morning coffee becomes afternoon tea at that rate?
still, as you say, saves you a couple of pence.
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Transformer for flagpole? The mind boggles!
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regarding the crate, apart from the mallet (which lives the awning stuff) and transformer which I'll replace with the motor mover attachment lever and I do the same.
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JVB Don't use a 3Kw domestic kettle for risk of tripping the bollard if the Mrs has left the electric fan awning heater on after the awning has been taken down. Got to make the most of the free electricity we've paid for in the pitch fee.
The energy to boil a volume of water is the same regardless of the power rating of the kettle or hob ring be it 3Kw or 750w. Didn't you do physics at skool?
BB the use of free electricity and therefore the hot plate was the USP of the caravan purchase decision, the nice salesman at the NEC show said that's why they fit them in caravans. He also said they build quality products with reliable appliances that will give you at least 10 years of adventures without any problems whatsoever. He also said to make sure you join the Caravan Club to make the most of the free electricity in the bookings you make well in advance without deposits and can cancel at any time up to 72 hours before arrival if you ensure you book on Frenzy Day. There were other claims that quite frankly were absurd that we ignored. Having come from 9 years of Motorhome ownership with no electric hob, only gas and frugal use of energy, only 1 part breaking due to my weight on it, how could we possibly not have been impressed with the BS!! Every day is a skool day
CS thanks for reminding me of the motor mover remote controller that often gets thrown in the boot than the crate, or left on the A frame when finished positioning the caravan on the driveway at home.
The wheel brace fits the MM as well as the wheel lock and steadies. HG the transformer facilitates the LED flashing lights on the flagpole that blaze away all night long as we are on holiday. Don't use a flag as it may flap in the wind and wake people during the night, have to be considerate to other campers, and be able to find the caravan when returning in a drunken stupor.
Maybe a tick box list is required. So many things to remember on this caravanning lark.
Happy touring
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By 'eck Keefy, one cast of the hook and you have reeled in a shoal! Very funny!
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Happy New Year to all, first
I'm a Luddite I know, but as for the flexible bit - don't you have to bend down just as much to fit an electric powered winder as a hand-powered ditto?Not that I'm taking this too seriously - each to their own.
Best wishes,
Antediluvian HH, who's going on 65.
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I'm a Luddite I know, but as for the flexible bit - don't you have to bend down just as much to fit an electric powered winder as a hand-powered ditto?
No. The rear steadies are the worst to reach. With a hand winder I have to bend low enough, and stay low, to hold the end and wind. With the electric I can hold the rear handles to take the strain and reach down with one arm.
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I fitted plastic pipe to my rear steady access points as they were recessed on the Bailey. Helps guide the drill attachment so it is a one handed job. Just took my house Dewalt away with me.
I was fooled by the electric flagpole joke but not being familiar with Club sites and practices I would believe anything. Feast of the Lanterns? After all, people apparently take satellite dishes and watch TV during their holiday in the great outdoors, so anything is possible really.
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Lucky you to have reached that age without having problems with bending and heaving a winder around.
It's a case of needs must rather than each to their own.
I have numerous tricks that help us less able folk but I hope you won’t need them.
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Thank you all for the various replies. It seems there is no one 'right' answer and it will be an element of trial and error. Given the toilet is at the rear of the van I think we will at least drop the rear steadies. We also have a very small towcar (although suitably matched to the caravan) so we might drop the jockey wheel too. I did love the suggestion of leaving the leg winder on the driver's seat as not winding them back up was my big worry! Really looking forward to seeing you all out there on the next step of our camping adventures. Happy camping all. x
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thanks for posting back (not many do). Yes as you have said it's all down to what feels right for you, it's your outfit, your money, your time.
Hope you enjoy your adventures, and yes every time we go away in our van it has that 'adventure' feel, that's why I like it so much
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New to this game too and getting my first van this week. But the Electric Flag pole....Its true.
I go to few UK music festivals in a tent each year at the moment and you will be surprised at how may flag poles have flashing lights all the way up them; and this is without the benefit of the Free Electric as all the camp sites are 'Off Grid". But as as the poster mentioned, great for finding your pitch drunk in the pitch dark.
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