Completely brand newbies
We are totally new to touring with a caravan & after having a static caravan for years we are ready for a new adventure. We have sold up & pick up our used Unicorn Seville in 2 weeks time, the car is sorted a Kuga 4x4 & so is tow bar but now we have to equip it.
Any advice on what do we need please? We are worried about the pay load, what things to carry, pots, pans etc etc, what are the basic requirements in your opinions.
Im about to order a Duvalay topper but do you use 2 singles or a double. Which is best?
It has a shower but how long in reality will the water last, will it do 2 of us? We will use site facilities if possible,
We are trying to cram in as much knowledge as we can in the next 2 weeks before we pick it up.
Any advice with be be fantastic
So excited &Thank you
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Hello & Welcome to the Fun Factory, Mollie
Does the new toy come with a "Welcome" pack 'cos that should cover the basics like Fresh Water Container, Grey water container etc, 25 yard Electric Hook Up ( EHU ) cable. Pots pans etc can be sourced from home until you have decided what you want, not what I think you should want . As for the Duvalay - personal preference here do you both (?) like the same degree of 'give' or 'firmness' ??
Normally bods on here recommend a couple of w/ends not too far from home to start with. That gives you the option of going back to pick up those little things you have over-looked
like wine, cork screw, bottle opener, air freshener etc etc etc !!But Please Please Please don't forget you are out there to ENJOY yourselves, so pack a double Sense of Humour each !!
Brian
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Welcome to CT Mollieprkins! As far as what to take in the van it's probably much the same as your static except lighter weight versions where possible.
We've just had a rather amusing discussion about "water" management on another thread. If you want to use your shower just make sure you keep the water topped up, there's nothing worse than running out half way through a shower.
Happy days ahead, just enjoy the new experience!
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Nose weight ? Agree as ABM ,but go to local site to dealer and find all the snags so you can take it back . Be thorough with handover and check everything , Not being a kill joy ,cos you will enjoy it once of on the road Derek
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Im about to order a Duvalay topper but do you use 2 singles or a double. Which is best?
For us it would be two singles as our front bench seats are wide enough and long enough to use as two singles. When we had a previous caravan and had the rear diner made up as double bed we would put an open single sleeping bag down, then a bottom sheet and use a duvet over.ed as
No idea what your options are Mollie
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Mollieperkins, If you both want a shower in the morning just remember that you'll need to heat the water up between each shower. Using the hot water (tap indictor) on your Aldi control panel this will take 30 mins to heat the water tank up sufficiently for the second shower. At the hand over the salesman should show you how this all works. It's much easier to demonstrate than describe on here. Hope this makes sense and helps.
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Hello and welcome from me too. I echo all of the above.
We have had 2 single duverlay toppers for about 10 years and very comfortable they are too 😀. They're still like new, we also had the zipped sheets another great, the zipper being down the full long length which makes putting them on and taking them off is easy peasy! We had 2 singles on the advice of duverlay being easier to store. I admit to being very sceptical when they assured me they wouldn't ride apart used on a double bed but they haven't!
Listen, take notes and video bits in your phone at the handover - there will be an awful lot of information to take in and you may feel your brain will explode 😂😂. Then get yourself some local to try everything out, including the heating!
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Hello and welcome from us, as well. You have asked about payload - so you are being sensible in asking about that. Perhaps it might be worthwhile loading up the van with the basics and then taking it to a weigh-bridge so you have an idea where you stand. You can then return home and adjust accordingly, but don't forget that clothes and food have to be accounted for when you finally set off. You will not have enough for really heavy things like an awning etc - that will have to be carried in the car - but also think about things such as EHU cable - Alko wheel lock - Aquaroll etc . It's surprising what these 'every day' items can add up to.
Do you have a motor mover fitted? - that will also significantly eat into your payload
Before you buy two gas bottles (as I did at first), consider whether a single, lightweight re-fillable bottle might be better in terms of weight saving. It was the route I went down when I discovered our previous Barcelona was over-weight.
You'll only need to do this once as long as you stick to the same loading regime every time. It will soon become second nature!
Most of all - enjoy
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If you are pushed for time in the mornings you could do as we do, that is OH showers while I take the dog before breakfast, have our day out and then I shower later in the day after the water has gone through the heat cycle upon our return to the van.
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Regarding bedding, over the years we've had different types according to storage room in the van. The best time was having a duvet and fitted sheet on our fixed bed (I like cotton bedding best.) We've also used doubled over large duvets on single beds and now some soft cotton very roomy sleeping bags which roll up into a storage compartment. If the OP likes a certain type of bedding at home there are ways to replicate the situation. I would find Duvalays too bulky for our van so consider space and storage before you buy anything new.
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As a total newbie too this thread is very useful. We also pick up our first caravan in two weeks time (Elddis Crusader). Don't worry folks I am an experienced tow car driver. Six heifers in an Ifor Williams is a much more 'interesting' event than an 1800kg caravan. :-)
What do folks do about a topper on the island bed models? Or do you bother?
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The trick with using a shower in a caravan is to turn it off between each stage. Soak yourself - off; soap on and wash, then on to rinse off. You will be surprised how little water you use
. Payload can soon mount up so put some of the heavy stuff in the car eg awning and books. Run with the nose weight as high as possible - probably 100kgs but check and it is the lower of car or hitch allowance . I tow at about 90 kgs nose weight. When loading, heaviest stuff low and over the axle light stuff only in the top cupboards. Don't forget to add some extra pressure into the car tyres as explained in your car handbook. Don't worry you will soon get the hang of it and loading and weight distribution will become second nature.1 -
Hope you enjoy your up and coming adventures!!
youTube has a very active and friendly communitee, and have a wealth of tips and information covering all aspects,
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