Recent content by Javert

I must admit that until this thread, I had viewed the Alko secure lock only as a security device. However I am now starting to see the value in terms of locking the wheel from turning and therefore feeling more comfortable to release the handbrake when spending a long time on the pitch.

OK - there is a lot of theory about this, but maybe it could be asked in a different way. Swift Sprite 2025 caravan. If the handbrake lever is pointing vertically upwards after the van has been rolled backwards (and the van won't move anymore when pushed), the handbrake is on properly?

Yes so even without doing that I was exceeding the max caravan nose weight by 4%. And this was with just 2 gas bottles and few other fairly light bits and pieces in the front locker. I guess we need to move a couple of KG of internal load a bit further back in the caravan next time. I must...

Hmmm - my impression was that a 13KG canister would not fit in the Sprite front gas locker, but maybe I misjudged it - that would be unfortunate as I just handed in a 13KG one in exchange for the 6KG one! So you are saying that in theory I could have the locker modified to be able to use 13KG...

To be fair, I did tell the dealer that I was planning to tow a caravan so the dealer was aware of that. However I did not specifically tell them that I wanted to power the fridge in the caravan - I should have thought that this was obvious. I will ask them to confirm and if not I will get it...

OK well the car ignition was on when I observed the flashing on the fridge, and the trailer lamp check had been successfully done. Regarding the auto setting - the dealer told me to manually select battery - he seemed to think that the auto switch to car battery does not always work. The car...

Just to check, when I want the fridge to be powered from the car electrics, should the bottom which connects the mains power to the 12V power be on or off? There is a green button under the bench which has to be on if you want the mains to be charging the 12V circuit.

Yes, I guess if you have either a wheel clamp or axle lock, this is even more insurance as the locked wheel can’t move anyway.

So probably if doing this, it would be safer to only do this when on a seasonal pitch and leave the 19KG bottle safe at the pitch when going on excursions. I could then just use 6KG bottles when out and about at other sites.

Yes we have also chocked the caravan to be safe, but fundamentally it seems I am correct that if the handbrake is applied correctly, the caravan cannot runaway backwards more than a few feet as the brake will then engage (unless the handbrake is actually faulty I suppose).

I have read several threads about this, and had it explained to my by 2 people, but I’m still not totally sure on this. I was told that after parking up, I should push the caravan backwards to make the handbrake lever go vertical, so that the caravan can’t move in neither direction. Some of...

Our Swift Sprite 2025 has a Thetford full height fridge. When I was towing the car, I did as the dealer instructed and after connecting the car electrics up, I manually selected the battery picture on the fridge for 12V operation. After doing this, the fridge lights were all flashing...

They are telling me that it costs about £35 to exchange a 6Kg propane bottle, but only about £48 on the site to get 19KG. That’s a pretty high % saving. Is it actually unsafe to have a hole there? There is already a metal grid this is open o the elements at the bottom of the locker...

We have a brand new 2025 Swift Sprite Major 4EB. We have a seasonal pitch and will be on the same site most of the time with a few excursions. I have 2 6KG gas bottles right now. The other guests on the site are telling me that I should make a hole in the ventilation grid at the bottom of the...

Another question on my new caravan as a newbie. We have the caravan at home for a couple of nights to try everything out but are taking it to pitch today. Both nights I set the Sargeant factory fit alarm (Swift Sprite 2025 Exclusive Major 4EB). First night it was fine. Second night it went...