Recent content by jwa

Out of interest, do manafacturers allow for the weight of the battery and gas bottle(s) when they plate a van? I understand a mover has to be factpred in, but as it would be impossible to use a caravan without such items, are they included? Having weighed everything that goes in my van, I am...

Twindaddy, I used to be petrified, but a combination of decent tow car and advice on here has changed my outlook, there may be hope for you yet!

Actually, the only problem I had was the short mains hook up lead which came with the caravan, at only 10 metres it wouldn't reach so we had to move. Need a 25m cable for France I would think.

I always check my nose weight, before setting off and before returning and I also get strange looks. One guy even asked what I was doing and did it matter! I've been caravanning for just over three years now and still consider myself a novice, despite being on my third caravan and third tow car...

Thanks Clive, (other Clive?) it does seem to be well matched on the short tow I have done. Sorry to hear about the eelctrical fault, that must be really frustrating for you, hope it gets sorted soon.

Thanks for the informative replies, I do notice a certain animosity towards Caravan owners I suppose and it is true that the media love to highlight an unfortunate incident when a caravan is involved. I have seen many outfits rush past me at what must be close to 70 at least and weaving in and...

Out of interest really, with a hint of concern, I have been twoing for three years now, the furthest and longest a tour around the Loire Valley which involved towing through Paris. I feel that I am a competent tower, indeed, from being petrified at first I now actively enjoy it! I pay great...

Woodsieboy you are a genius, there is a tiny, tiny switch on the end which I did not spot at all, problem solved, many thanks :-)

We have swapped our previous caravan for an Elddis Avante 526, which suits our growing family. On "playing" with it today I noticed the strip light under the cupboard over the hob and sink seems to have no switch to turn it off. I have searched everywhere and tried online to no avail, surely I...

Hi Mel, thanks for the reply, that is really useful. Glad you like the van, we are really pleased to have got it and we are looking forward to our first trip out. When we took our other Elddis back we were met by two other couples who had wanted to by the 526 and were disappointed it had gone to...

That's interesting Clive, makes me wonder about the many caravans I see pull up and then emptied of what looks like everything but the kitchen sink! I can't believe they are legal, but then they may well have upgraded like you?

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated, I don't actually know the nose weight, the Elldis Xplore 556 we had before was 100kg, so I presume the Avante is much the same. The Freelander is 150kg, so not problems ther, plenty of power to cope and within the 85%. As you most of you say, it is...

We have been caravanning for over three years now and although I don't consider myself a novice, I always consider the advice on here to be excellent. We are now on our third caravan, the kids having grown too big for the bunk beds, so have upgraded to an Elddis Avante 526, 2011 model with a...

Hi Tukums, interesting and after 3 years of caravan, that has happened to me a few times, which begs the question, do many people check their noseweight or do they just pile everything in the van regardless. If so, who checks anyway? I do so because when we bought our first caravan, we looked...

Hi, Now in our third year of caravanning and having just completed a trip of 1000 miles to the Loire Valley, we really enjoy the freedom of hooking up and towing to our destination. After 3 towcars and on our second outfit, I am comfortable towing at 80kg noseweight and really noticed the...