Recent content by Jennifer_374461363

I agree, the fridge is powered from the car (never the caravan), but should only work when the engine is running. If it drains the battery then you have a wiring fault. To keep the fridge cold.......Cool on gas or electricity before leaving home, open the fridge as little as possible. Freeze...

The 2008 models are the first ones to have the Alde Heating, they also have the wider body (2.3 metres) so are more spacious. And they have the silver sides. In the 2009 models they changed the "woodwork", personally I prefer ours. You could also consider the equivalent Swift Conqueror model...

We have a Searcher, but a newer model (2008), so a few differences. The basic layout is a little different too as we have parallel seating at the front, I think a 2005 would have the L-shaped seating? Personally we prefer the parallel seating, but it is a very personal thing. If you are not...

Yes, we always have an old sheet handy just in case. All the customs/immigration people we have spoken to have always been very pleasant.

You could also use the ferry direct from Germany to Sweden....Sassnitz to Trelleborg I think. Go one way, return the other way.

I would not have been happy either if that happened to our van. I said as much last year on another forum and a lot of people "jumped on me". Power they may have, but I don't think it is unreasonable to expect to be treated with courtesy. When we came back from France last November, the UK...

Ours is the Geartronic too, have been driving Volvo autos since 1972, would never have a manual gearbox now. I can understand you would want a bigger van for 5 people, we are usually only 2, but we love the space and comfort in the Searcher, it has the fixed bed and full size rear shower room...

The CRiS document does not show the weight, that is on the NCC certificate you get with the van, it is a replacement one of those that you should request. We had our Sterling Searcher uprated from 1815kg to 1900kg and Swift sent us a new NCC certificate.

We tow with an XC90 D5 184 bhp, our van is a twin axle Sterling Searcher (7.95m, 1900kg). The car handles it fine and gives a very stable tow. OH has however been towing for almost 40 years and our vans have been progressively longer. Are you confident that you can handle a large van? Most...

At least 3 of the lockers in the Searcher should have come with a shelf fitted. If you got none then you should complain. I would agree that the provision of shelves is very poor for a

It is entirely possible to run your van on a 6amp EHU, you just need to be organised. For a long stay, you would be best to buy Spanish gas bottles and regulator. This will allow you to use gas for heating and water heating if required. And you will be using gas for cooking anyway. With your...

We are away for 120 days right now and have the Caravan Club's Red Pennant. They also do cover for longer trips, check it out on their website. You would need to become a member to get the Red Pennant.

Have you checked if your van roof can take an air con unit? It needs to be strong enough. You can also get floor mounted ones, but they need ducting to distribute the air. A roof mounted Dometic unit will be at least

We have the Zip, we find it very easy to erect/dismantle, and totally waterproof. I have seen the clip/clamp type, but they look awkward to use to me. Have you considered the weight of the roof part when you want to roll it up? We have the 3.6m one and find it heavy enough. If getting a...

The worst weather we have been in was at Sango Sands site on the north coast of Scotland, it is very exposed. OH hitched the van to the car to try to stabilise it, plus we turned the nose into the wind. Not much sleep that night!