Any top tips for a newbie?

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  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited October 2021 #32

    Setting off with the movers engaged makes a right racket ..... apparently! 🙄🙄

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #33

    It's a sound you'll never forget... apparently

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #34

    Setting off with the remover remote control sitting on the A-frame of the caravan isn't a great idea either...😳     Expensive too😤

  • Unknown
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    edited October 2021 #35
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  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,036 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #36

    I would add don’t be shy of asking advice or help, be it from site staff, another visitor or a CL owner. Better to get help early than end up in a bit of a pickle. Most folks are very friendly, and many will have had the same quandaries or concerns at some point.😁

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited October 2021 #37

    Done that too .... 😢

  • AndyJF
    AndyJF Forum Participant Posts: 84
    edited October 2021 #38

    I've already realised that this is my most vital piece of kit. No way am I losing it. (famous last words).

     

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #39

    +1

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #40

    There is a battery in the mover remote, and while I've had it fail just once all the time I've been moving it, it was the only time that I did not have any spares and we had just arrived on site.

    Top tip: use the one from the smoke detector.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,036 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #41

    😱 But don’t forget to put it straight back in the smoke detector and buy a new one!😁👩🏻‍🚒

  • Unknown
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    edited October 2021 #42
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  • AndyJF
    AndyJF Forum Participant Posts: 84
    edited October 2021 #43

    True I don't think I've ever torqued up my car wheels. Couldn't even tell you what the value is. But the caravan documentation advises it, plus there's a card tied to the caravan keys which also says it's important. So I figured that it must be done. Of course I know nothing because I'm a caravan noob.

     

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,586 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #44

    We tended to be more relaxed about it until not one but two acquaintances had a tyre come off the caravan. One after a service and on the way home, the other because in his words "I had become relaxed about checking them".

    So I check them. Not fastidiously but before we set off on a trip and then once or twice if we're away for an extended period of say 5 or 6 weeks. 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #45

    A tyre or a wheel, WN?🤔

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,586 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #46

    When you see a wheel travelling faster than you are it's time to stop.

    My fault for not explaining fully and using tyre wrongly.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2021 #47

    Thanks for clarifying👍🏻

    I've heard of several people losing wheels after the 'experts' have serviced their vans. Perhaps that’s the very time we should check them.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited October 2021 #48

     ... and insist on tyres being balanced when fitted. A surprising number of 'professionals' don't consider it to be necessary 🤷‍♂️

  • ScreenName680C63F8EB
    ScreenName680C63F8EB Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited October 2021 #49

    All useful tips for this FNG who hasn't purchased a tourer yet, though somewhat daunting for someone as hapless and forgetful like me. But my dear wife is very 'squared away' and will create a checklist afore venturing forth!

    'Vans in our locality are few and far between; some established dealers in the vicinity have no stock whatsoever, though used 'vans seem to be appearing at the end of the season now what with travel restrictions fr overseas travel being relaxed.

  • Unknown
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    edited October 2021 #50
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  • Hedgehurst
    Hedgehurst Forum Participant Posts: 576
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    edited November 2021 #51

    Yes, yes! On our first serious trip, on a remote road in the Scottish Highlands, I was really alarmed by that sudden grating noise! Serious checks of tightening both top and side are now a habit.

    Another jockey wheel one, which probably only matters for a low-hanging tow-hook like ours. If manoeuvring the caravan onto the hook, it's possible to end up with the jockey wheel trapped under the A frame, blocking lowering the hitch enough to latch on until you move the whole thing to align the wheel better.

  • Amesford
    Amesford Forum Participant Posts: 685
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    edited November 2021 #52

     Book your first service well in advance ours is already booked for next June